What is RGV Familia?

RGV Familia is a transformative personal and professional development initiative providing UT students from the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) empowerment through programming, events and training, while also incorporating parent and family programming to provide holistic support for students.

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RGV Familia members posing in front of the UT tower

Programming Areas

  • Personal and Professional Development
  • Parent and Family Programming
  • Community Building

Latinas giving hook 'em sign in front of Longhorn bus

The RGV Experience

RGV Familia is an initiative for UT students from the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), also known as “the Valley.” Our community is unique; it centers on our multicultural heritage and strong family relations. For students from the RGV, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, it is a cultural shock to come from small, mostly ethnically homogeneous border towns to living in the large metro of Austin and attend UT.

Map of the Rio Grande Valley counties

Geographically Speaking

The vibrant, fast-growing Rio Grande Valley is geographically and culturally a very different place than the urban areas of Texas. A largely agricultural area, it is comprised of 4 counties on the Texas-Mexico border including Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy. 90% of the population is Latino/Hispanic (ranging from 86-97% in each county). It is over 300 miles from Austin.


Meet Our Team

Find out more about our familia students and staff.


Upcoming Events


Ready to join RGV Familia? Contact us at RGVFamiliaProgram@austin.utexas.edu.

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UT students at Latinx graduation giving Hook 'Em sign