The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Alumni Association officially announced its 2026 Top Ten Seniors, recognizing a group of graduating students who embody the institution’s core values of academic excellence, campus leadership, and community service.

Now in its 76th year, the award remains the highest honor bestowed upon undergraduates by the association, celebrating those who have made a lasting impact on the Miner community.

While the honorees represent a wide array of disciplines, their journeys are unified by a distinct borderland resilience. For many of this year’s recipients, the path to graduation involved navigating the unique challenges of the El Paso-Juárez region, from long international commutes to the weight of being first-generation college students.

Sophia Borrego

For Sophia Borrego, a biomedical science major, the path to success began with a difficult decision to transfer.

Feeling intimidated and lacking resources at her previous university, she arrived at UTEP and decided to “flip the switch,” transforming from a shy student in the back of the room to a leader who wasn’t afraid to ask, “not smart questions.”

As a peer leader in the College of Science, Borrego spearheaded a collaboration with the University of Chicago and the University of Rochester to implement a peer-led learning program for organic chemistry at UTEP, a subject many find daunting. “It’s honestly just curiosity,” Borrego said, “Once you keep asking questions, you get your ‘aha’ moments.”

Beyond the lab, she served for two years as a senator-at-large in the Student Government Association (SGA). Borrego, who is now heading toward a career in dentistry, hopes her journey inspires others: “You can do a lot of things within your time if you really want to… reach beyond what you think you can do.”

Eduardo Hiram Ceballos Faour

The theme of bridging borders is central to Eduardo Hiram Ceballos Faour’s story. A computer science major who began his journey commuting from Ciudad Juárez, he represents the global reach of UTEP’s technical programs.

After participating in the Google Tech Exchange and interning as a cloud engineer at Goldman Sachs, he proved borderland students can compete at the highest levels.

“The first impression that I had from UTEP was [that] it was really, really huge,” he recalled. Moving to Dallas this spring, he remains motivated by his roots: “I’m most excited because… I can help my family with that money.”

Giselle Ophir Giménez Gayosso

A linguistics major and Miners Abroad ambassador, Giselle Ophir Giménez Gayosso credits UTEP faculty for expanding her horizons.

Originally from Mexico City, she found her footing after an instructor encouraged her to pursue research. Navigating her studies while managing a health diagnosis, she found strength in the community.

“I definitely feel more confident in my skills,” Giménez Gayosso said.

Her advice to freshmen is rooted in the empathy she found on campus: “Just enjoy the process… if you’re kind, it just makes a difference.”

Gabriela Idaly Macias

Gabriela Idaly Macias, a forensic biology major, is recognized for her dual impact on campus academics and community outreach. Her time at UTEP has been defined by a consistent effort to bridge the gap between student life and local service initiatives.

Her work underscores the university’s mission of engagement, proving that a Miner’s education extends far beyond the campus walls and into the heart of the El Paso region.

Jose Gael Muñoz

For finance major Jose Gael Muñoz, the UTEP experience was about reclaiming the narrative of the border student. Despite offers from other prestigious institutions, he chose to stay in El Paso to lead the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).

Reflecting on interviews alongside Ivy League students, Muñoz noted: “I’m here because I go to UTEP. That should say a lot about you as a person and how much hard work you’re putting in.”

Andrea Victoria Nuñez

Andrea Victoria Nuñez, a bilingual education major, stands out for her leadership within student organizations, where she helped foster a more inclusive campus environment.

Balancing a demanding academic schedule with significant extracurricular responsibilities, she has often served as the “glue“ for student initiatives, ensuring that campus life remains vibrant and welcoming for all.

Darek Samuel Perez

Darek Samuel Perez, a psychology major, saw his leadership forged in settings ranging from a study abroad trip to Costa Rica to an internship for Congresswoman Veronica Escobar.

As a first-generation student and former president of the Texas Leadership Scholars Organization, he focused on building foundations for others.

“I learned to be sensitive to different cultures… to apply equal and equitable leadership,” Perez said.

He applied for the Top Ten honor to inspire his niece, Zaily: “I wanted her to see that people in our family can go to college and can achieve their dreams [too].”

Enrique Pineda Sanchez

For Enrique Pineda Sanchez, a philosophy and psychology double major, UTEP was a “second chance” after nearly failing out of high school.

Sparked by a moment of powerlessness during a 2020 protest, he pursued law through mock trial and an Archer Fellowship in D.C.

Now heading to the University of Chicago for his Juris Doctor (J.D.), he credits those who believed in him. “My experience at UTEP was really about… you’ve got to believe in people before they give you a reason to,” Pieneda Sanchez said. “I‘ve had a lot of people who have loved me into the current moment… I owe them everything.”

Iliana Jacqueline Ramirez

Iliana Jacqueline Ramirez, a biomedical sciences major, her road to graduation was paved by a daily commute from Juárez that was both physically and mentally exhausting.

“The biggest gap I had to bridge was language, belonging, and the daily reality of commuting across the border,” Ramirez said.

Initially unsure if she belonged in a pre-med environment, she eventually found her voice as the Collegiate Senator of Science, where she advocated for improvements in lab equipment and worked with Borrego to launch the first Peer-Led Learning program for organic chemistry.

Ruben Adrian Romero

Ruben Adrian Romero, a rehabilitation sciences student in the College of Health Sciences, spent his time at UTEP ensuring that future students felt a sense of belonging through the orientation program.

Working with incoming Miners, he addressed the unique pressure felt by those who are the first in their families to attend university.

“We have so many first-gen students,” Romero said, emphasizing that his success is a shared victory for those who supported him along the way. “It’s a humbling experience because you remember all the sacrifices…[that] family members have also done to help you guys’ [get] here.”

Together, these ten seniors represent the peak of student achievement. As they prepare for graduation, they leave behind a legacy of perseverance that will inspire the next generation of Miners to look at the world and realize, as the famous Dr. Seuss quote suggests, “Oh, the places you’ll go.”

Adrian Gonzalez Jr. is a staff reporter for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]