Texas A&M University-Victoria welcomes students to new semester
Texas A&M University-Victoria welcomed its newest and returning students back on campus last week as they prepared to kick off the start of the fall semester.
Last week, Move-In Day marked the beginning for numerous students, their families and also the university, which recently transitioned from the University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M University-Victoria.
“For those checking into their college dorm for the first time, it’s very exciting,” said Hilary Kofron, A&M-Victoria senior director of Residence Life and Judicial Affairs. “We just want to make sure to be here to answer their questions and get them ready and excited to start the new school year.”
Last week, students began moving into the three dorms available on campus: Jaguar Hall, Jaguar Suites and Smith Hall. Thursday, Aug. 28, freshmen and transfer students began the move-in process promptly at 9 a.m. at the dorm they were assigned to. The following day, returning students began their move-in day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More than 350 students checked in during the Move-In Day weekend, with more than 115 of those who were freshman students.
Students were directed to their assigned dorms where a team of resident assistants, fresh from two weeks of intensive training, stood ready to assist, Kofron said. But beyond the heavy logistics that comes with Move-In Day, the day was about more than just moving boxes and unpacking suitcases, it was about building a sense of belonging, she said.
“My hope is that students come in and feel like this is their new home,” Kofron said. “We remember our own first days on campus, and we know how important it is to make those connections and know that we are here for them, no matter what.”
Michael Cruz, 18, who was part of the bustling crowd, isn’t just an incoming freshman, he’s continuing a family tradition, following in the footsteps of his sisters who also began their college journeys at A&M-Victoria, known as University of Houston-Victoria when they attended.
Hailing from San Marcos, Cruz was supported by his father and family members as they all lent a hand to help him move into his dorm on Thursday. Cruz is no stranger to campus, having visited several times for tours, he said. The campus was a place he felt familiar with and seems like a great place to get his education, he said.
He is considering a Bachelor of Science in Digital Gaming and Simulation, a topic that resonates deeply with him.
“Gaming has basically been most of my life,” Cruz said. “The idea of being able to create something that has brought me so much joy, I think that would be awesome so I can bring that joy to others.”
The move marks Cruz’s first time being away from his family for an extended period, a milestone that brings a mix of nerves and excitement, he said. As he embarks on his first year in college, his goal is simple.
“I’m going to enjoy it,” Cruz said. “And I’ll make sure to go to class.”
For Jesse Cruz, Michael’s father, this year’s Move-In Day was a milestone filled with pride, nostalgia and a few tears of joy from sending his son off to college.
As he and his family helped his son settle into his new dorm room, Jesse said he couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that brought the family to this moment and the values that have shaped their path.
“I’m happy for Michael for him to start his new chapter,” Jesse said. “He’s a smart kid and really loves his education. He puts his heart and soul into everything he does, and I know he’s destined for great things.”
Jesse is no stranger to bittersweet feelings of sending a child off to college, he said. With two older daughters who also attended the university, he recalls the nerves and challenges of those first goodbyes.
“I remember my oldest daughter, when she came here, it was really nerve-wracking,” he said. “She didn’t have a car, so she’d take the bus. One time, she missed it and called me, and I drove all the way form San Marcos to bring her back to her dorm; I just wanted to make sure she was OK.”
Family is at the heart of everything he does, Jesse said. With another daughter still in high school, he’s proud that all of his children so far have chosen to pursue higher education.
“I went to school myself, but my parents didn’t have the funds, so I had to drop out,” Jesse said. “For my kids, I always tell them, ‘Life is what you make of it. You will always have my support, and I want you to be better than me.’”
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.