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If there’s anyone who could tell you what the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) was like when it began holding classes for the first time in the early 1970s, Vickie Gomez has a story or two. Gomez is a founding member of UTPB and has served in many capacities across its fifty-year history.
Vickie Gomez's connection to the town of Odessa dates back to her childhood. According to the release, Gomez has lived in Odessa since she was at least in kindergarten.
Being the first person on both sides of her family to attend and finish college, she holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin (UT) and a master’s degree from UTPB.
Gomez’s first day as a UTPB employee was in June of 1972, just before school welcomed its first batch of students, the release said.
Gomez's dedication to UTPB extends not only through years but also through various roles she's held within the institution. The release said that Gomez has held various titles, including but not limited to Administrative Assistant/Recruiter, Assistant Director of Admissions, and Recruiter & International Student Adviser.
Today, she serves as the university’s Retention Officer, with the graduation rate one of her biggest priorities.
"From the time I started working at UTPB, I have always LOVED working with students," she said in the release. "Many of those ‘pioneer’ students still keep in touch with me."