Teresa “Paty” Feria is a full professor of biology and an Associate Dean in the College of Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Paty has mentored over 100 high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, and a diverse number of faculty. Most of her mentees are first-generation low-income Hispanic females. Her students have graduated, joined graduate programs, presented research findings at scientific conferences, and received awards for outstanding presentations. They have published papers, participated in community engagement activities, traveled nationally and abroad for internships, and found jobs in STEM-related disciplines. Two of her alums have received the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. During her 15 years as a mentor at UTRGV, Paty has directed Department of Agriculture programs that provide scholarships to low-income, underrepresented students to conduct research internships. Paty's initiatives, ¡Juntos al Éxito! – together, we succeed – and a writing-mentoring program, have empowered over 600 people beyond her institution. She created awards for faculty mentoring and undergraduate/graduate coordinators that stimulate mentoring services. Paty co-founded the Women In Sciences Network to empower female faculty at UTRGV. She is the co-Principal Investigator of the NSF National Latina THRIVE Partnership, aiming to transform the Departmental Climate for Faculty Success. She is the co-PI of a Department of Education PUENTES – bridges – program to improve student services. Paty earned her B.S. and M.S. at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and her Ph.D. at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Paty is a University of Texas (UT) System Distinguished Teacher, the highest recognition for teaching in the UT system.