2015 Gold Nugget Recipients: Melissa A. Carrillo & Irene Chavez

Melissa A. Carrillo & Irene Chavez

Melissa A. Carrillo, B.A. in Journalism, 1989; M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, 1999

In 2014, Melissa Carrillo celebrated her 15-year tenure with the Smithsonian Latino Center Institution. UTEP’s Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) program allowed Carrillo to further her studio work as a visual artist as well as empower her cultural studies expertise, leading her to an internship at the institution she has helped to expand to new audiences through virtual museums and web programs.

Irene Chavez, B.A. Political Science, 1979

Chavez’s determination helped her overcome detours and earn a bachelor’s in political science from UTEP. After working in health care to pay for tuition, she decided to pursue a health care career to make a difference in people’s lives. She excelled in the field, ascending to COO and later CEO of Providence Memorial Hospital before moving to Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, where she currently serves as senior vice president and area manager.

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The University of Texas at El Paso
College of Liberal Arts
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