Victoria Valencia, Kinesiology
Coming from the small town of San Elizario, Texas, to complete a four-year degree and play volleyball at the Division I level at The University of Texas at El Paso is something to feel great about, said Victoria Valencia.
“Two thumbs up,” Valencia says of her experience at UTEP. “I enjoyed everything. Playing volleyball was definitely the icing on the cake.”
After learning about a doctoral program in physical therapy available at UTEP, Valencia knew which University she wanted to attend after high school. At the same time, since the age of 12, she had come to summer volleyball camps at the University, familiarizing herself with the coaching staff by the time she got to UTEP.
As a freshman, Valencia was a walk-on athlete on the UTEP volleyball team. After a year of displaying hard work and commitment, she received a full athletic scholarship. She gave the same dedication to her courses. Valencia is a two-time recipient of the C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal, and a two-time member of the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
Though she has been able to achieve personal milestones and graduate, Valencia isn’t quite satisfied. Her sights are set on earning the doctoral degree that got her interested in UTEP in the first place.
“I do feel like it’s one chapter that’s ending, but I know I have plenty more to finish,” Valencia said.