The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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Whether we were breaking ground on new facilities or establishing ground-breaking programs and initiatives, everything we did over the past year has helped prime UTRGV to lead Texas into a prosperous new era. And in a time where the cost of everything — especially a university degree — has increased significantly, we have remained committed to maintaining UTRGV’s status as one of the best-value institutions in the nation, an institution that allows students to get an education of the highest quality without mortgaging their future.
In this report, you will find stories from the past year highlighting both individual and shared successes. Regardless of the achievement, each is a testament to our progress since 2015 and a reminder that staying true to our values can yield remarkable results.
Guy Bailey has been president of UTRGV since May 2014.
2021 - 2022 ANNUAL REPORT
Between UTRGV’s inaugural year (FY16) and FY22, the university’s research expenditures more than tripled, growing from $20.78 million to $64.4 million. According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), which measures research and ranks universities by research expenditures, UTRGV’s research rankings have also spectacularly improved. In FY15, the year before UTRGV began, the combined rank of our legacy institutions was 279th out of 625 universities. In NSF’s most recent rankings for FY20, UTRGV was 194th — a stunning improvement of 85 positions in six years. UTRGV ranked 12th among Texas general academic institutions, ahead of such universities as SMU, Baylor, and TCU.
Dr. Karen Lozano, Julia Beecherl Endowed Professor in Mechanical Engineering, is the first UTRGV faculty member elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering (NAE).
According to those in the field, election into the NAE is one of the highest professional distinctions for engineers. Dr. Lozano was selected for her contributions to nanofiber research and commercialization and mentoring of undergraduate students from underserved populations.
UTRGV continued to expand its innovative partnership with area school districts by breaking ground — twice in two months — on the UTRGV-Edinburg CISD Collegiate High School and UTRGV-McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy.
These unique, state-of-the-art facilities will house students who will graduate high school and, at the same time, earn up to two years of college credit for free.
UTRGV opened its first collegiate high with Harlingen CISD in 2021.
The new School of Podiatric Medicine (SOPM), the first such school in Texas, will help deliver drastically needed healthcare services to communities across the Rio Grande Valley.
One of only 11 schools of podiatric medicine in the United States, UTRGV welcomed its first cohort of students in Fall 2022.
What Others are Saying About UTRGV
“A Texas university offers a model of affordability that is boosting economic mobility. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley serves a student body that is 90% Hispanic and made up primarily of first-generation college students. Over 60% of students qualify for federal Pell Grants, awarded to those with high financial need. Additional funding is provided by the state, and UT Rio Grande Valley has its own program that helps cover cost gaps. The majority of students pay no tuition or fees; the average cost to attend was $917 in 2019-20, compared with $7,907 for UT Austin. UT Rio Grande Valley ranked among the top five schools offering economic mobility.”
Christian Science Monitor
Oct. 4, 2022
“One way to assess whether a school pays off for its graduates is to calculate the price to earnings premium for the school, an approach taken by Third Way, a center left think tank. The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley is a prime example. On average, it takes UTRGV graduates less than a year to pay off the net cost of attending. UTRGV compares favorably against colleges with far greater financial resources, ranking highly for providing low-income students with a financial payoff from college. For context, it only takes UTRGV graduates a few months longer than Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, and Berkeley graduates to earn back the net price they paid for college. UTRGV pays off for graduates in part because it has low tuition—under $9,000 a year.”
Since its inception, UTRGV has been committed to expanding its academic offerings. Nowhere has that been more evident than in the growth of the university’s doctoral programs. In FY16, UTRGV’s inaugural year, the university had four doctoral programs. Now, UTRGV has 12 programs, including six that started over the last two years. Five additional doctoral programs are currently under development.
How UTRGV
Stacks Up
IN HIGHER EDUCATION
AND HEALTH CARE
2021 - 2022 ANNUAL REPORT
CREATING VALUE
That’s the Spirit: New Initiatives to Boost Campus Life Experience
Message from President Dr. Guy Bailey
Spectacular Growth: UTRGV’s Research Expenditures, Rankings Reach All-Time Highs
Highest Honors: Dr. Karen Lozano Elected to National Academy of Engineering
Head of the Class: UTRGV Breaks Ground on Additional Collegiate High School, Collegiate Academy
Best Foot Forward: UTRGV Opens First School of Podiatric Medicine in Texas
Dream Come True: New Cancer and Surgery Center Breaks Ground, and is Set to Open In 2025
When the much-anticipated UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center opens in 2025, it will provide long-needed and critical medical services to the Rio Grande Valley region. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the world leader in cancer care and research, is providing oncology advisory services to the center, which will deliver comprehensive, high-quality outpatient cancer care, medical radiation, and surgical oncologists. “Part of our dream is to provide treatment for people, so they don’t have to go elsewhere,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. “So, think about this: it’s not a building, but a dream we’re fulfilling for our community.”
Praise for UTRGV in the Media
Next Level: UTRGV Significantly Expanding Doctoral Program Offerings
UTRGV RANKINGS
Total Research Expenditures $M
Top Award: Dr. Juliet V. García Presented with Presidential Medal of Freedom
Dr. Juliet V. García, former longtime president of The University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB), was one of 17 distinguished Americans presented with the nation’s highest civilian honor: The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
President Joe Biden mentioned that García, in her 30-year career, helped transform a community college into UTB (now UTRGV), where she became the first Hispanic woman to serve as a college president in American history. Garcia stepped down as president in 2014 and is currently a UTRGV communications professor.
“This new school expands our university mission to increase access to quality healthcare for people who suffer from diabetes and require special podiatric care,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “Now, we will be able to meet this very specific healthcare need in South Texas.”
Forbes
Aug. 20, 2022
Following the historic passing of a student referendum, UTRGV is now implementing strategic initiatives to enhance the campus life experience for students.
UTRGV is also increasing on-campus housing capacity, expanding spirit programs, and creating marching bands, women’s swimming and diving, and football.
The football program, which will play its first season in 2025, has hired its new coach and, as of February, is nearing 1,600 season-ticket deposits.
Additionally, the Football Founders Society, a group of donors who came together to help the football program hit the ground running, have pledged $1.75 million. Along with the UTRGV Foundation's $1 million allocation, UTRGV has already generated $2.75 million in support of expanding campus life.
