JAVÃûÅ®ÓŹÝ

Published April 9, 2026
By Darlene Muguiro
UTEP College of Health Sciences

This May, five CHS students will serve in honorific roles at the Spring 2026 commencement ceremony at the Don Haskins Center. These students were selected for their positions based on academic achievement, extracurricular participation, and community and JAVÃûÅ®ÓÅ¹Ý service. Our first story features Claudia Contreras Muro, Undergraduate Student Marshal for the College of Health Sciences.

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Claudia Contreras Muro, a candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree, recalls noticing from a young age the disparity among male and female athletes. This simple observation became the driving force behind her pursuit of a healthcare career that is focused on injury prevention and rehabilitation for female athletes.

“Through my coursework, I began to critically examine disparities within athletics and health care. In particular, learning about the prevalence of ACL injuries in female soccer players and the lack of research historically dedicated to women’s sports revealed significant gaps in both prevention and treatment,” she said. “This motivated me to pursue a career in Physical Therapy, where I can focus on addressing these gaps.”

Throughout her undergraduate studies, Contreras Muro balanced her academics with work as an undergraduate assistant for the CHS Dean’s Office and meaningful extracurricular experiences, including roles as president of the Pre-Physical Therapy association and research member for the Clinical and Applied Physiology Laboratory, where she gained important clinical and conference presentation skills. A Houston Endowment Professional Leadership Award funded her study abroad experience in Costa Rica in the summer 2025 semester, where she helped design and implement a physical activity workshop for students in marginalized communities, teaching them the importance of physical activity from an early age.

“My study abroad experience allowed me to further develop EDGE advantages such as global awareness, personal and social responsibility, critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” she said. “Moreover, studying health care through a global lens broadened my perspective and reinforced my passion for patient-centered care.”   

After graduation, Contreras Muro will begin a new phase of her academic journey, joining the UTEP Doctor of Physical Therapy’s Class of 2029.

“My acceptance into the DPT Class of 2029 is a milestone that would not have been possible without the support, mentorship, opportunities, and academic preparation the CHS faculty and staff have provided me over these four years,” she said. “I am grateful for the foundation UTEP has given me and look forward to continuing my journey as a Miner.”

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Go Miners!