Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

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Bryan Mena

Bryan Mena is a junior majoring in political science and minoring in communication studies. He is currently serving as entertainment editor with The Prospector, UTEP's student publication and as a contributor with Minero Magazine. He is a transfer student from El Paso Community College (EPCC) where he served as editor of the Tejano Tribune, EPCC's student publication. After earning an associate's degree in economics, Mena transferred to UTEP on a full-ride scholarship from the Terry Foundation. He is currently interning with El Paso Inc., a local business journal, and he will be in Forth Worth, Texas for 10 weeks in the summer to work as a paid intern for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

All content by Bryan Mena
UTEPs administration building.

Student entrepreneurs have access to UTEP’s Studio G

Bryan Mena, Editor-in-Chief August 25, 2020

Studio G is the first resource of its kind at UTEP and its available for student entrepreneurs who want to start and grow their own businesses. Because of COVID-19, Studio G has gone completely online but Michael Garcia, the director of UTEP's Mike Loya...

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Bryan Mena is a political science student at the University of Texas at El Paso. He is The Prospectors new editor-in-chief.

Meet Bryan Mena, The Prospector’s new editor

Bryan Mena, Editor-in-Chief August 24, 2020

I never thought that I would one day be leading a newsroom as editor-in-chief during a global public health crisis. Yet here I am – pandemic and all. Not to mention that the national economy is still in shambles and that this past summer was a...

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Students living in any of UTEP’s three housing complexes, like Miner Heights, are being directed to move out of their dorms by 5 p.m. March 29.

[Photo] UTEP students directed to move out of campus housing in less than two weeks

March 17, 2020

Students living in any of UTEP’s three housing complexes, like Miner Heights, are being directed to move out of their dorms by 5 p.m. March 29.

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The Presidents Office sent out an email alerting the university community of a female UTEP student that returned from an international trip and tested positive for COVID-19.

UTEP student tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from overseas travel

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor March 16, 2020

For more coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on UTEP, El Paso, the state and the nation, visit The Prospector's Coronavirus page. Updated at 7:53 p.m. The President’s Office announced in an email that a female UTEP student tested positive for...

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Venue officials and promoters are monitoring COVID-19 in El Paso County for events scheduled after March.

All March events at Don Haskins Center postponed, officials monitor situation

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor March 16, 2020

For more coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on UTEP, El Paso, the state and the nation, visit The Prospector's Coronavirus page. The three remaining events at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center for March have been postponed until further notice amidst two...

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Officials report second positive case of COVID-19 in El Paso County

Officials report second positive case of COVID-19 in El Paso County

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor March 15, 2020

For more coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on UTEP, El Paso, the state and the nation, visit The Prospector's Coronavirus page. Public health officials reported on a second presumptive positive test result for COVID-19 in El Paso County on Sunday afternoon,...

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Rage Against the Machine cancels the first leg of its tour due the rise of COVID-19 cases nationwide, encompassing all shows from March 26 to May 19

Rage Against the Machine postpones El Paso appearance amid pandemic threat

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor March 12, 2020

For more coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on UTEP, El Paso, the state and the nation, visit The Prospector's Coronavirus page. As cases of COVID-19, or coronavirus, continue to emerge throughout the country, more than 40 major concerts and festivals...

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Members of the Student Government Association continue with their itinerary at the SGA meeting on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019.

Former student tried to launch impeachment investigation against sitting SGA president

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor March 2, 2020

A former student unsuccessfully attempted to file articles of impeachment against incumbent Student Government Association (SGA) President Jessica Martinez last semester on the grounds that she was drunk during a general meeting. The impeachment allegation...

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El Paso Draft House is expected to open its doors in East El Paso within a month.

Local entrepreneur to open microbrewery in East El Paso

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor February 24, 2020

Tucked in the suburban corner of George Dieter and Trawood drives is the construction site of a future beer joint that’s expected to grace East El Paso with a wide variety of brew — a future microbrewery dubbed El Paso Draft House.  Located...

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Bernie Sanders address to those who were  not able to get into the Abraham Chavez Theater due to overflow.

Sanders kicks off statewide tour in El Paso as early voting continues

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor February 23, 2020

As Texans continue to cast their ballots during early voting, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, held a rally today in Downtown El Paso as part of a statewide tour to lay out his campaign's agenda and make his case for why he is the...

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Witch house songs like Im The Devil by Clams Casino are described as occult-themed dark electronic music that emerged in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Microgenres: Witch house

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor February 10, 2020

Editor’s note: A microgenre is defined as a subgenre of music characterized by its specificity and niche nature. “Microgenres” is a special seven-week series by The Prospector that will showcase a different microgenre each week, publishing every...

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OPINION: Being single is an unconscious decision I’ve made my whole life

OPINION: Being single is an unconscious decision I’ve made my whole life

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor February 10, 2020

Research shows that the number of single people in the United States increased by a surprising 58% within the past 30 years — a growing club I’ve been a part of every single Valentine’s Day throughout my life.   There are probably several psychological...

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U.S. Attorney John F. Bash announced to the public on Feb. 6 that a federal grand jury indicted Patrick Wood Crusius on 90 counts of hate crime and firearm charges in relation to the Aug. 3 shooting that left 22 dead and several others injured.

Federal grand jury indicts El Paso shooter on 90 counts

Paulina Astrid Spencer and Bryan Mena February 7, 2020

U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Assistant Attorney of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband and FBI Special Agent Luis M. Quesada held a news conference Thursday to inform the public on the indictment of Patrick Wood Crusius,...

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Federal authorities to update public on El Paso shooter’s case

Bryan Mena and Paulina Astrid Spencer February 6, 2020

U.S. Attorney John F. Bash along with other federal law enforcement personnel will host a news conference to brief the public on the latest information regarding the El Paso mass shooting case, where 22 died and several others were injured.   21-year-old...

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Ivan Nino and Ruben P. Gonzalez. 

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Candidates for county tax assessor collector race make their case

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor January 21, 2020

Voters in El Paso County will cast their ballots to decide the fate of several primary races on Tuesday, March 3, including the contested El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector race which has drawn two Democratic candidates, incumbent Ruben Gonzalez and...

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The Gentlemen is a 2019 action crime comedy film written and directed by Guy Ritchie, from a story by Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies, and Ritchie.

‘The Gentlemen’ a quick-witted, action-packed success of a crime thriller despite a few culturally insensitive jokes

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor January 21, 2020

British filmmaker Guy Ritchie’s latest film, “The Gentlemen,” is an excellent action-comedy crime thriller with as many twists and turns as a rollercoaster to hell and back that depicts a violent battle of wits between sophisticated British mobsters...

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Since leaving her role as Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, Heather Wilson became the newest president of UTEP.

Heather Wilson applied for presidency of Colorado university system, explains decision to choose UTEP

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor January 21, 2020

The Colorado Independent reported on a leaked list of mostly Republican candidates who were under consideration to lead the University of Colorado (CU) System as its president, which listed UTEP President Heather Wilson among the 30 candidates — a search...

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The Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada is a signed but not ratified free trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Economic forecast for the border region predicts positive impact from USMCA trade deal

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor January 21, 2020

Recent research from the Border Region Modeling Project (BRMP) through the University of Texas at El Paso reveals that the border region encompassing El Paso, Las Cruces, Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua, will benefit economically from the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada...

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Anti-femicide advocates standing in solidarity to protests the disappearances and deaths of women throughout the country late November in front the Paso del Norte international port of entry.

Activists, academics say indigenous women are among most vulnerable in Mexico’s femicide crisis, amid global protests

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor December 23, 2019

A wave of anti-femicide activism rippled throughout the globe last month protesting the disappearances and grotesque murders of young women on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and it eventually reached El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, where...

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Oscar J. Martínez, scholar and expert on borderlands history, welcoming the audience to a discussion on the newly released book “Who Rules El Paso?” Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Downtown El Paso Public Library.

Authors of ‘Who Rules El Paso?’ talk gentrification, big donors and Heather Wilson

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor December 23, 2019

The El Paso Community First Coalition, a network of community advocates, hosted a presentation and discussion on the newly released book “Who Rules El Paso?” covering controversial community issues within the City of El Paso, Dec. 15 at the downtown...

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UTEP President Heather Wilson joined by students, administrators and faculty at the formal announcement of UTEP’s research expenditure milestone of $100 million.

[Photo] UTEP surpasses $100 million in research expenditures, secures more than 200 grants

December 5, 2019

UTEP President Heather Wilson joined by students, administrators and faculty at the formal announcement of UTEP’s research expenditure milestone of $100 million.

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 Amid a passionate 18-year-long journey, veteran activist Xan Joi cruised the streets of El Paso in a box truck covered in striking, colorful murals while visiting fellow activist, Cemelli de Aztlan Tuesday, Nov. 12.

A woman of many titles

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor November 19, 2019

Xan Joi, 69, describes herself as a social justice warrior, an anti-war activist, a Jewish woman, a lesbian, a grandmother, a feminist and an author who's traveled throughout the country in her truck since 2001, racking up over 400,000 miles.  Amid...

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Cielo Vista Walmart reopens, construction for memorial continues

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor November 14, 2019

Updated at 2:15 p.m. More than three months since the seventh deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, the Cielo Vista Walmart in El Paso, Texas officially resumes its retail operations Thursday, Nov. 14. Doug McMillon, Walmart’s president and...

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OPINION: Tennessee politician embodies the homophobic and bigoted underbelly of America

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 29, 2019

More sludge leaked to the surface from the dark crevices of homophobia and white supremacy Oct. 21 during a public meeting in Middle America.   Warren Hurst, a county commissioner for Sevier County in Tennessee, spoke his twisted truth to...

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Alberto stands in front of Tippi Teas on Stanton Street, he is an undocumented immigrant who has been in the United States for the past five months.

La Lucha: Undocumented 17-year-old tells tale of resilience

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 22, 2019

Editor's note: Alberto's last name was omitted in order to preserve his identity. Alberto, a 17-year-old undocumented immigrant, works seven days a week begging for money and cleaning windshields in El Paso, primarily so his elderly mother in Ciudad...

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On Trump’s impeachment inquiry: A conversation with UTEP professor and political analyst

On Trump’s impeachment inquiry: A conversation with UTEP professor and political analyst

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 15, 2019

The Prospector’s Entertainment Editor Bryan Mena sat down for an interview with Todd Curry to discuss the ongoing impeachment inquiry of U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Curry is a political analyst and an associate professor at UTEP’s...

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Mexican pop-rock singer and songwriter Natalia Lafourcade performs at The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center at El Paso, Texas Thursday Oct. 3, 2019.

Natalia Lafourcade stuns fans, praises environmental activism of ‘La Greta’

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 8, 2019

Natalia Lafourcade, critically acclaimed Mexican pop rock singer, astounded an audience with fiery performances and ardent implorations for environmental justice Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso.   The appearance was part...

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UTEP is affected by these bills which were passed during the Texas legislative session earlier this year.

New Texas law on Title IX takes effect

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 8, 2019

Texas Senate Bill 212 relating to Title IX, the 1972 federal statute on sex discrimination and sexual harassment, enhances reporting requirements for Title IX violations.    Considered one of the tightest campus safety measures in the nation by...

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UTEPs Student Government Association discussed a variety of topics during its Thursday, Sept. 26 meeting

UTEP’s student government in brief

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 8, 2019

Appropriations, updates on special projects, two special election races, an issue with accountability and a trip to Bhutan were among the several things mentioned at UTEP’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting Sept. 26.   The meeting began...

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Distinguished UTEP alumni: Power couple promotes visual arts at the border

Distinguished UTEP alumni: Power couple promotes visual arts at the border

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 1, 2019

Two of the six recipients of UTEP’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni award are the founders of Creative Kids, a local nonprofit organization that introduces visual arts to children.   Every year during Homecoming season, UTEP honors its exceptional alumni...

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Grace Gardens is an exclusive West Texas Venue for weddings, quinceañeras, sweet sixteens and other social or corporate events.

Students weigh in on local case of anti-LGBTQ business controversy

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 1, 2019

UTEP students reacted to a recent case of the “anti-LGBTQ” business controversy involving Grace Gardens, an event venue on the western outskirts of El Paso.  On the morning of Sept. 16, Cassandra Castillo posted on Facebook that a representative...

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Chicano activist recalls UTEP protest

Chicano activist recalls UTEP protest

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor October 1, 2019

UTEP’s College of Health Sciences selected alumnus Salvador Balcorta, activist and chief executive officer of a nationally recognized nonprofit, for this year’s Gold Nugget Award.    Today, Balcorta leads the Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe,...

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The College of Business Administration host the Student Organization Fair Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019.

Student organizations promote networking and career readiness

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor September 17, 2019

The UTEP College of Business Administration (COBA) hosted a student organization fair Wednesday, Sept. 11 in the lobby of the Business Administration building. The event hosted several Registered Student Organizations (RSO) pertaining to disciplines...

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Lana Del Rey presents her new album “Norman Fucking Rockwell.”

Photo courtesy of Pitchfork

Lana Del Rey’s new album portrays powerful paradoxes

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor September 10, 2019

A “dangerous hope” and a “man child” are only two of the many powerful paradoxical themes seen in Lana Del Rey’s sixth studio album, “Norman Fucking Rockwell!” (NFR!), released Aug. 30.   Del Rey and American producer Jack Antonoff co-wrote...

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Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de Leon, Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso, presents Epoca de Oro Film Festival at UTEP Wednesday Sept. 4, 2019.

Época de Oro Film Festival promotes classic Mexican films

Bryan Mena, Entertainment Editor September 10, 2019

The Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso in cooperation with UTEP and the Centro Cultural Paso del Norte debuted the Época de Oro Film Festival at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at UTEP’s Union Cinema. Every Wednesday for the entire month of September,...

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A portable charging station designed by Ivonne Santiago, Ph.D., clinical professor of civil engineering at UTEP, was on display on campus Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Professor showcases engineering project destined for Puerto Rico

Bryan Mena, Contributor September 3, 2019

Ivonne Santiago, clinical professor of civil engineering at UTEP, unveiled a project dubbed the “portable charging oasis” Tuesday, Aug. 27 in the walkway between the Liberal Arts and Administration buildings.  The project is an endeavor...

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