Raise Your Pick Giving Day 2026!
Founded in 2023, Raise Your Pick (RYP) Giving Day is UTEP’s annual day of giving. On this day, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends come together to support the people, places and projects at UTEP that mean the most to them, amplifying their impact through the collective power of our Miner Nation.
Borderlands Digital Humanities Center
Dr. Elise Takehana, and Daniella from the Borderlands Digital Humanities Center stopped by the KTEP studios to talk abou ther Raise Your Pick Giving Day Initiatives and how they promote student success. They also talked about exciting upcoming events and collaborations with the History Museum.
The Borderlands Digital Humanities Center (BDHC) opened in the Fall of 2024 following several years of externally funded collaborative digital and public humanities projects in the College of Liberal Arts. The Center pursues and supports multi-national, multi-cultural projects on digital platforms that honor the people, environments, and experiences of the Borderlands and reaffirms the role of human interpretation in the age of big data.
Additional information
- For more information on the Borderlands Digital Humanities Center you can visit: https://www.utep.edu/research/mike-loya-center-innovation-commerce/
- To learn more about their Raise Your Pick initiatives and support you can visit: https://raise.utep.edu/schools/TheUniversityofTexasatElPaso/raise-your-pick-giving-day-2026/pages/RYPLiberalArts/RYPBDHC?utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ig
Graduate Student Support
Dr. Stephen Crites and Felipe Martinez from the UTEP Graduate School stopped by the KTEP studios to talk abou ther Raise Your Pick Giving Day Initiatives and how they promote student success. We also heard first hand about the impact that Graduate School has on students.
Graduate students at UTEP are the heart of innovation, research, and academic excellence. They are future educators, scientists, health professionals, and community leaders, and right now, they need your support. Many graduate students face financial barriers that affect their ability to continue their education and complete critical research. From tuition and fees to research costs, these challenges can delay or even end a promising academic journey. Your contribution directly supports tuition, travel, and research.
Additional information
- For more information on the UTEP Graduate School you can visit: https://www.utep.edu/graduate/
- To learn more about their Raise Your Pick initiatives and support you can visit: https://raise.utep.edu/schools/TheUniversityofTexasatElPaso/raise-your-pick-giving-day-2026/pages/RYPGraduateStudentSupport?utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ig
Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce
Karla Ramirez, Fernando Sepulveda and Nijam Ahmed from the Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce stopped by the KTEP studios to talk abou ther Raise Your Pick Giving Day Initiatives and how they promote student success. They also talked about their upcoming Miner's Pitch Competition and more.
The Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce (MLCIC) at UTEP serves as a hub for students interested in developing skills and gaining knowledge in entrepreneurship and innovation. With a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration, particularly at the intersection of business and engineering the MLCIC provides students with education, mentorship, and hands-on experiences that support startup development, personal and professional growth, and meaningful connections to the El Paso entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Additional information
- For more information on the UTEP Liberal Arts Forensics Team you can visit: https://www.utep.edu/research/mike-loya-center-innovation-commerce/
- To learn more about their Raise Your Pick initiatives and support you can visit: https://raise.utep.edu/schools/TheUniversityofTexasatElPaso/raise-your-pick-giving-day-2026/pages/RYPMLC?utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ig
Liberal Arts Student Travel
Dr. Selfa Melendez, from the Liberal Arts Student Travel Initiative stopped by the KTEP studios to talk abou ther Raise Your Pick Giving Day Initiatives and how they promote student success.
Your donation will provide vital funding for students to attend conferences to present their research, participate in prestigious art and music competitions, or immerse themselves in other cultures, histories and languages. Whether independently, or through internship programs, studying away equips students with problem-solving skills in a 21st century world requiring global perspectives. These opportunities are crucial for their personal and professional growth, allowing them to connect with industry leaders, exchange ideas with peers, and broaden their horizons.
By contributing to this initiative, you’re not just funding travel—you’re enabling transformative experiences that will shape the next generation of creative thinkers and engaged citizens. Help us open doors to new possibilities and empower our students to shine on both national and international stages! Consider raising your pick for the Liberal Arts Students Travel initiative!
Additional information
- To learn more about their Raise Your Pick initiatives and support you can visit: https://raise.utep.edu/schools/TheUniversityofTexasatElPaso/raise-your-pick-giving-day-2026/pages/RYPLiberalArts/RYPLASP
Miguel A Loya College of Engineering pt. 2
Dr. Natalia Villanueva, Associate Professor of the Miguel A Loya College of Engineering stopped by the KTEP studios to talk abou their Raise Your Pick Giving Day Initiatives and how they promote student success. She also talked about what is coming in the future for the collegue and how they promote student stuccess. She will also talk about her work with AI and what this means for students in the future.
This year, the Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering is proud to champion two key initiatives, each designed to uplift students, expand opportunities, and strengthen our connection with the Paso del Norte region:
- Engineering Community Outreach (Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering Outreach Fund)
- Engineering Student Support (Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering Program Enhancement Fund)
Additional information
- For more information on the Miguel A Loya Collegue of Engineering you can visit: https://www.utep.edu/engineering/
- To learn more about their Raise Your Pick initiatives and support you can visit: https://raise.utep.edu/raise-your-pick-giving-day-2026/?a=12926302
Miguel A Loya College of Engineering
Dr. Kenith Meissner, Dean of the Miguel A Loya College of Engineering stopped by the KTEP studios to talk abou their Raise Your Pick Giving Day Initiatives and how they promote student success. He also talked about exciting oportunities in the horizon for Engineering students, and who will get dunked at the block party this Wednesday.
This year, the Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering is proud to champion two key initiatives, each designed to uplift students, expand opportunities, and strengthen our connection with the Paso del Norte region:
- Engineering Community Outreach (Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering Outreach Fund)
- Engineering Student Support (Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering Program Enhancement Fund)
Additional information
- For more information on the Miguel A Loya Collegue of Engineering you can visit: https://www.utep.edu/engineering/
- To learn more about their Raise Your Pick initiatives and support you can visit: https://raise.utep.edu/raise-your-pick-giving-day-2026/?a=12926302
Liberal Arts Forensics Team
Dr. Carlos Tarin and Sebastian Perez-Navarro from the UTEP Liberal Arts Forensics Team stopped by the KTEP studios to talk abou ther Raise Your Pick Giving Day Initiatives and how they promote student success. They also talked about their upcoming Showcase, where the Team will demonstrate their national competition presentations.
The UTEP Forensics Team is the university’s nationally recognized speech and debate program. Rooted in UTEP’s commitment to access and excellence, the team empowers students to find their voice, tell their stories, and represent the Borderland on the national stage. Their students compete in public speaking, debate, and performance events and have won hundreds of awards, including multiple national championships in recent years.
Beyond competitive success, UTEP Forensics cultivates confidence, academic excellence, and professional readiness.
Additional information
- For more information on the UTEP Liberal Arts Forensics Team you can visit: https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/communication/resources/utep-forensics.html
- To learn more about their Raise Your Pick initiatives and support you can visit: https://raise.utep.edu/schools/TheUniversityofTexasatElPaso/raise-your-pick-giving-day-2026/pages/RYPLiberalArts/RYPForensics