Jennifer Cowley, President, University of Texas at Arlington
In an interview with Invest:, Jennifer Cowley, president of the University of Texas at Arlington, highlighted UTA’s record-breaking enrollment driven by workforce-readiness initiatives under the UTA 2030 strategic plan. She also discussed the development of the new UTA West campus, set to expand educational access in Fort Worth and surrounding areas.
What factors do you attribute to UTA’s record-breaking enrollment numbers and growth, and how is the university supporting students to ensure their success?
Like many institutions in DFW, we are continuing to see strong interest in college from students, particularly as a pathway to long-term personal and professional success. Developing the mindset and skills to be a lifelong learner are essential to succeed in the economy of the future. Student success is a key tenet of our UTA 2030: Shared Dreams, Bright Future strategic plan. With our plan, we have a number of strategic actions designed to strengthen retention, cultivate a supportive campus environment, expand programs that enhance workforce-readiness, promote student persistence, and enhance and embed experiential learning opportunities through internships, research, and service-learning opportunities.
How do you see UTA’s role in the broader Arlington and North Texas communities evolving, and what steps are being taken to strengthen these ties?
UTA has evolved over its nearly 130-year history into a nationally recognized research university that proudly serves North Texas communities. Over the decades, UTA has grown exponentially, while establishing itself as an anchor institution that has made a tangible impact on the social, cultural, and economic landscape of the region. You see that materialize in a wide number of ways, whether it be offering comprehensive internship opportunities across many fields; helping local manufacturers; launching the UTA Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development to support students, scholars, and researchers as they drive innovation, commercialize new technologies, and pioneer new companies; partnering with industry and communities to find solutions to their challenges; or collaborating in nursing and social work settings to help improve health care outcomes in our communities.
What are the key priorities of the UTA 2030 Strategic Plan, and how do you envision it shaping the future of UTA and its role in the Dallas-Fort Worth region?
Earlier this spring, we launched our new strategic plan, UTA 2030: Shared Dreams, Bright Future. Our strategic themes are Student Success, Alumni & Community Engagement, Research & Innovation, Finance & Infrastructure, and People & Culture. Our community is united by our shared dreams and is steadfast in our commitment to build a bright future for all. UTA’s recent announcement of our new West campus, located in west Fort Worth is an example of our commitment to expanding access to educational opportunities and engaging the communities of our region.
What are some recent research projects or breakthroughs that are positioning UTA as a leader in academic excellence and research innovation?
UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution, the highest categorization of research, and conducted $143 million in research in 2023.
Scheduled to open in fall 2024 will be the new $6.2 million Clinical Imaging Research Center facility, which significantly expands our clinical research infrastructure and interdisciplinary research. One of the main research areas will be brain health, including cognitive failure, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s and related dementias. In addition to medical research, the new facility will also support ongoing studies in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, social work, and business.
Researchers from our Civil Engineering Department and the Solid Waste Institute for Sustainability are working closely with the Dallas and Fort Worth TxDOT districts on multiple projects related to improving the durability of roads, including using plastic waste products to increase pavement strength.
How has UTA adapted its programs and services to better support their modern adult learners?
UTA has an established track record for providing education “anytime, anywhere” that serves a wide range of students, including working professionals pursuing degrees and individuals seeking specific credentials and professional training. For decades we have offered a range of programs aimed at adult learners. From classes on weekends to online programs, we work to offer access to outstanding educational opportunities when and where it is convenient for learners.
Additionally, UTA has long had a robust continuing education program offering a wide-ranging selection of courses and certificate programs for professional development throughout the course of a career. These include continuing education; environmental, fire, and safety certifications; and technology and health certificates.
How is UTA addressing the mental health and well-being of students?
We are a university, and students are what we’re all about. Student involvement on campus is critical to their academic success and personal well-being. We find that engaged students are more likely to persist and have a social network that helps them navigate the natural challenges many face when going to college. Our student affairs staff works closely with university colleagues to help students strike a balance between the demands of their academic and personal lives. We encourage students to reserve time to explore the wide range of events, activities, and services available to them at UTA. The staff help the students find their fit and cultivate their own campus-based community, which is essential to creating a college experience that is both meaningful and memorable. We find that those first steps of being involved and engaged are critical in laying the foundation for their success in the classroom and beyond.
What projects or initiatives are in the pipeline that will shape UTA toward future success?
UTA is moving forward and innovating on so many levels. In 2024, arguably our highest visibility initiative is our recently announced UTA West campus, which will be dedicated to fostering economic development and meeting the educational needs of Fort Worth and Parker County, both representing one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. Advantageously positioned at the intersection of I-30 and I-20 at the western gateway of Fort Worth, the new campus is expected to begin welcoming students as early as fall 2028. UTA West will be developed as part of a multiyear plan to serve more than 10,000 students. The establishment of UTA West marks a significant milestone in UTA’s ongoing efforts to enrich the educational landscape and drive growth across North Texas.
