#1
public university in North Texas
Wall Street Journal, 2023
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 817-272-2101
Office of the President
The University of Texas at Arlington
701 S. Nedderman Drive
Arlington, TX 76019
ANNUAL REPORT 2024
Shared Dreams, Bright Future
From The President
This year’s annual report is aptly named after our UTA 2030: Shared Dreams, Bright Future strategic plan, as it lays the foundation for our success in the years to come. We spent many months listening to our community, learning what matters most to them, and preparing a plan that can turn our shared dreams into reality. At UTA, we focus on excellence and innovation. This past year has been no exception. We added to our academic offerings, focused on career readiness and affordability for students, and launched an ambitious faculty hiring initiative to bolster our research capacity. Our community is united by our shared dreams and is steadfast in our commitment to build a bright future for all. As we look back at this past year, I am immensely proud of our progress, and I look forward to the impact we will continue to create.
Jennifer Cowley, Ph.D., President.
Milestones
UTA experienced a year of highlights in 2023-24
September 2023
President Cowley launched the RISE 100 (Recruiting Innovative Scholars for Excellence) initiative, a transformative $60 million effort to hire 100 new tenure-stream faculty over the next two years.
October 2023
Alumnus Lou Diamond Phillips (’85 BFA) returned to UTA for a weeklong residency in the College of Liberal Arts.
November 2023
The UTA Marching Band participated in the championship parade celebrating the Texas Rangers’ first World Series victory.
December 2023
The National Academy of Inventors elected Jon Weidanz, associate vice president for research and innovation, and Robert Woods, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, as fellows.
January 2024
The University received a gift of $500,000 from the Amon G. Carter Foundation to provide students with a broadcast production studio for multidisciplinary and partner-based media projects.
February 2024
UTA officials broke ground on Maverick Hall, a $116.2 million state-of-the-art student residence hall.
March 2024
The University held a launch party for UTA 2030, President Cowley's new strategic plan.
April 2024
Thousands of Mavericks and visitors enjoyed the Solarbration watch party on campus and witnessed the total solar eclipse.
May 2024
UTA received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities.
June 2024
UTA hosted business executives, higher education officials, and other leaders for the DFW Summit: Building a Future Ready Workforce with a Skills-Based Approach.
BUCK 'EM
UTA's student-athletes enjoyed a stellar year on and off the courts
Commencement is the culmination of our students’ hard work to achieve their dreams. I am confident that UTA has equipped them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as they continue their journeys.
INNOVATIVE
Faculty Achievements & Research Breakthroughs
RISE 100 RECRUITMENT
Renowned automotive engineer and National Academy of Engineering member Hongtei Eric Tseng joined the UTA faculty as its first hire under the Recruiting Innovative Scholars for Excellence initiative.
BOLSTERING CLINICAL RESEARCH
To expand its clinical research infrastructure, UTA began work on a new $6.2 million Clinical Imaging Research Center. The facility will feature a 3-Tesla MRI machine and resources to support studies in medical research, engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, social work, and business.
PROMOTING AN INNOVATION ECONOMY
The revamped Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development is launching a new era of support for UTA student and faculty entrepreneurship.
SEMICONDUCTOR HUB
UTA is part of the Texoma Semiconductor Regional Innovation and Technology Hub, which is focused on fablet-based semiconductor manufacturing with the goal of regaining the country’s leadership in the industry.
As an actor, writer, and director, it’s in me to pass the torch to the next generation and ignite their passion for their craft. UTA has made amazing advancements over the years, not only in academics, but for me more importantly in diversity.
SUPPORTIVE
Efforts to Enable Student Access and Success
Deaf Student Mentor
In 2024, Lei-Sea Sky became the University’s first deaf student mentor. In that role, she collaborates with departments and assembles teams of faculty and staff to enhance accessibility in education for students who are deaf.
Accelerating Latino Student Success
UTA joined with Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, to release a compilation of evidence-based programs that improve higher educational achievement for Latino and other students.
Mental Health Support
The UT System initiative TimelyCare came to UTA late last year, providing students with more options for mental health support. TimelyCare offers virtual and on-demand counseling sessions, psychiatry services, mental and emotional support, a peer support community, and more, all at no extra cost to students.
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New Scholarships
Thanks to gifts from alumni, community groups, and other partners, UTA now offers students even more scholarship opportunities, including the Rodney Wilson Endowed Scholarship, Lida Wilson Endowed Scholarship in the College of Education, Alice G. Kelly Scholarship in the Department of Communication, and the Yardi Scholars program.
ASPIRATIONAL
Dynamic Achievements & Practical Experiences
NEW ACADEMIC OFFERINGS
UTA added a slate of new academic programs to help students meet today’s pressing workforce needs, including minors in commercial filmmaking and American Sign Language/Deaf Studies; certificates in teaching and film set readiness; and engineering master’s degrees at the Fort Worth campus.
MICROCREDENTIAL RESOURCES
Through the Coursera Career Academy platform, students, employees, and alumni gained free access to an expanded microcredential program that will prepare them with high-demand training. The University also conducted a Summer Microcredential Institute to help faculty incorporate microcredentials into their classes.
IGLOO IMMERSION ROOM
In May 2024, UTA became the first university in the nation to use a new type of virtual immersion room as a training tool for future nurses, allowing students to step into a variety of environments and hone their skills in a safe and constructive space.
INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
The University is working with industry leaders to provide valuable hands-on learning experiences to further students’ academic and career goals. UTA renewed its partnership with Lockheed Martin to offer the College Work Experience Program—just the second of its kind nationwide between Lockheed Martin and a university. A similar program is also being launched in fall 2024 with Bell Textron Inc.
COLLABORATIVE
Community Outreach to Create a Better Future
Building Homes for Seniors
A design/build class at UTA is collaborating with the Housing Channel of Fort Worth, the city of Arlington, and MKG Homes to build four houses in the Wynn Terrace Senior Cottage Community that will be available at below-market rental prices for seniors who meet lower-income guidelines.
Expanding Internships
To bolster students’ workforce readiness through real-world experiences, UTA is partnering with Grand Prairie ISD and the city of Grand Prairie to create comprehensive internship opportunities across fields like accounting, real estate, public administration, and criminal justice. In addition, the Career Development Center and College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs are expanding the availability of public service opportunities for students in those fields.
Helping Local Manufacturers
In fall 2023, UTA’s Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center partnered with the Arlington Economic Development Corporation to create a Strategic Solutions Fund aimed at helping Arlington manufacturers accelerate their growth and profitability.