MinerAlert
MinerAlert
September 2025
By Alexandra Sanchez ’17
Dr. Angel Luis Molina, Jr. ’03, ’07, a proud UTEP graduate, is now a tenured professor in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. His career in academia, which includes research, teaching and service, was shaped by the strong foundation he built at UTEP through his studies in finance and economics, as well as the mentorship and opportunities he received along the way.
Dr. Molina graduated from Riverside High School in El Paso and enrolled at UTEP the following year. Like many first-generation college students, his academic journey changed throughout the years. He initially pursued political science as a major before switching to finance, ultimately earning his bachelor’s degree in finance and subsequently a Master of Science in Economics from UTEP’s College of Business. He admits that as an undergraduate, he wasn’t always as focused as he could have been.
“I wasn’t a rockstar undergrad,” Molina said. “I got distracted along the way, but my saving grace was my master’s program. That’s when I began to truly invest in myself and when I really began to make good use of the time, energy, and resources that other people were investing in me.”
It was during his master’s program that Dr. Molina met Dr. Tom Fullerton, professor of economics, who became his mentor. Fullerton supported Molina’s academic interests and professional development. He gave Dr. Molina the opportunity to work as a research assistant during his time as a master’s student, and later as the associate economist for UTEP’s Border Region Modeling Project upon graduation. That experience, Molina said, was life-changing.
“The confidence that Dr. Fullerton had in me and the investment he made really changed the direction of my career,” he said. “He saw something in me. And his support laid the groundwork for everything that came after.”
After nearly a decade in the UTEP community as a student and then employee, Molina pursued his doctorate in political science at Texas A&M University. Following his Ph.D., he joined ASU in 2016, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as a tenure-track professor. He earned tenure in 2024 and today is an associate professor whose research explores issues in public policy, governance and public management.
Dr. Molina’s work bridges academic research and real-world impact, using quantitative analysis to inform communities, organizations and policymakers. Molina also teaches undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, helping to shape the next generation of public affairs leaders, and currently serves as the director of undergraduate programs in ASU’s School of Public Affairs.
Advice for UTEP Students
Molina stresses the importance of taking full advantage of opportunities outside the classroom.
“Invest in yourself,” he said. “Excel in your courses, of course, but also build networks, get involved in student organizations, and explore the resources UTEP offers. The university can open doors, but it’s up to you to walk through them.”
Though Dr. Molina has established a successful career in Arizona, he remains deeply connected to his roots in El Paso and to UTEP. He credits the university not only with his education but with instilling in him the values he carries into his work today.
“I think if I were in a room full of UTEP students, what I would tell them is to be very, very proud, be proud of where you're studying and know that there are many UTEP Miners doing great things out in the world,” he said.
“I’m very proud to be from El Paso, and I’m very proud to be from UTEP,” Molina said. “The opportunities I had there, especially during my master’s program, shaped who I am today. Because people invested in me, I’m motivated to carry others as I climb. And as I continue to advance in my professional journey, I want to help others rise with me.”
Dr. Molina plans to continue publishing research, begin work on a book, and expand his leadership role in higher education. But no matter where his career takes him, he continues to carry the lessons of UTEP with him.
“It really was a transformative place for me,” he said. “UTEP gave me the foundation and the confidence to build the career I have now, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”