MCALLEN, Texas - McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos gave his third State of the City Address at the McAllen Convention Center and part of his speech focused on higher education.
Villalobos praised the work of UT-Rio Grande Valley, South Texas College, and Texas A&M University. UTRGV has facilities in McAllen. STC and Texas A&M have campuses in the city.
Here is what Villalobos said about these three institutions:
“At Quinta Mazatlán, we broke ground on a historic partnership between McAllen, UTRGV, and McAllen ISD to build the Center for Urban Ecology.
“The CUE is a 55 million dollar, 14-acre research center that will be the first of its kind- in the United States.
“Once completed, guests from around the world will experience more than 20 attractions.
“The spirit behind The CUE came from our partnership with UTRGV, and McAllen ISD, and the innovative urban sanctuary, Quinta Mazatlán. Together, we will open a new door for students to learn about balancing sustainability, ecotourism, and the health and wellness of all.
“We thank Doctor Guy Bailey, Senators Hinojosa and Lucio, all the Valley delegation, McAllen ISD Trustees, Congressman Gonzalez, County Commissioners Elle, Eddie, Ever, David and County Judge Cortez, but most importantly we thank the Friends of Quinta Mazatlán, led by Val LaMantia and John Gerling who were instrumental and worked tirelessly in securing the funding for this momentous project! Once again showing, that in McAllen, if we can, we will!
“To all named and every community partner who brought this vision to life - please stand and be recognized.
"Our partnership with UTRGV, also facilitated the completion of the new Vaquero Golf Center at Champion Lakes.
“This facility is a 3.3-million-dollar investment by UTRGV Athletics and is now the new home of the Vaqueros men & women’s golf teams.
“It has a driving range, locker rooms, offices, study areas, a lounge space, a kitchen and hitting bays.
“UTRGV is a world-class university, and through their partnership, work began on another McAllen first – the McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy.
“McAllen proudly invested one million dollars in the Academy. Because if we can, we will!
“This 23.5 million dollar academy will be part of the extended 38-acre UTRGV McAllen Academic Medical Campus.
“McAllen ISD Students will benefit from state-of-the-art science labs and lecture halls while choosing from 4 study tracks – health science, computer science, engineering, or education.
“And South Texas College is another important partner in education for the City of McAllen.
“STC's programs include their Nursing and Allied Health Program and the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing. McAllen is proud to invest more than 950 thousand dollars in 23-24 to help train these much-needed healthcare professionals and logistic-manufacturing skilled graduates.
“I also congratulate STC for ranking 2nd in most affordable online bachelor's degrees nationwide and creating the new STC Promise Program providing dual credit at zero cost for high school students.
“McAllen is also proud to be the home of Texas A&M University center at Tres Lagos. A&M in McAllen offers advanced college degree programs in engineering and manufacturing and just two weeks ago celebrated the groundbreaking of the second major installation to their campus, the Health Nursing Education and Research Building, the future home of the Texas A&M School of Nursing program, veterinary medicine and biomedical research center, right here in McAllen!
“What an amazing accomplishment!
“And these fine institutions are creating exactly what we need for our area to succeed. They are creating exactly what our businesses need, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is Educated Human Capital.”
Meanwhile, Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen is inviting the community, including high school students, to attend the Spring 2024 Open House on Saturday, February 17 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Texas A&M says the event will allow families and students to “tour state-of-the-art facility, meet world-class faculty members, receive admissions information, and explore undergraduate degree opportunities close to home.”
