University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
UT Rio Grande Valley seal.svg
Former names
 Texas Southmost College (1930–1995)
Edinburg College (1932–1952)
Pan American College (1952–1971)
Pan American University (1971–1989)
Pan American University at Brownsville (1988–1989)
University of Texas Pan American (1989–2015)
University of Texas Pan American at Brownsville (1989–1991)
University of Texas at Brownsville (1991–2016) [1]
MottoDisciplina Praesidium Civitatis (Latin)
Motto in English
"The cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy" [2]
Type Public research university
EstablishedJune 14, 2013 (as UTRGV)
Parent institution
 University of Texas System
Accreditation SACS
Academic affiliation
Endowment $103.771 million (2020) [3]
President Guy Bailey
Provost Luis H. Zayas
Academic staff
1,239 (Fall 2015) [4]
Administrative staff
1,338 (2015) [5]
Students35,812 (Fall 2025) [4]
Undergraduates 29,326 (Fall 2024) [4]
Postgraduates 4,555 (Fall 2024) [4]
Location
Edinburg
,
Texas
,
United States

26°18′16″N98°10′27″W / 26.304551°N 98.174165°W / 26.304551; -98.174165
CampusMidsize City, 665 acres (2.69 km2)
Other campsuses
NewspaperThe Rider
Colors   Orange
  Gray [6]
Nickname Vaqueros
Sporting affiliations
 NCAA Division I – Southland (FCS, starting in 2025)
Mascot Vaqueros
Website www.utrgv.edu
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley logo.svg
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a public research university with its main campus in Edinburg, Texas, and multiple other campuses throughout the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. It is the southernmost member of the University of Texas System. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was created by the Texas legislature in 2013 after the consolidation of the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas–Pan American. [7]

Contents

In the fall of 2025, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley enrolled 35,812 students, making it the ninth-largest university in the state of Texas and the fourth largest (student enrollment) academic institution in the University of Texas system. In 2018, UTRGV was also one of the largest universities in the U.S. to have a majority Hispanic student population; 89.2% [8] of its students are Hispanic, virtually all of them Mexican Americans. [9]

It was classified in 2020 among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". [10]

History

On December 6, 2012, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a proposal to merge the University of Texas–Pan American and the University of Texas at Brownsville into a new university. [11] In June 2013, the governor of Texas Rick Perry signed legislation creating the university. [12] In December 2013, the UT System Board of Regents voted to name the university the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).[ citation needed ]

The board of regents named Guy Bailey as the founding university president. [13] Bailey appointed Havidán Rodríguez as the founding provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and Janna Arney as deputy president. [14]

In November 2014, the UT System Board of Regents approved the "Vaqueros" as the athletic nickname for University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. They also approved the official colors of blue, green, and orange. [15] The university opened on August 31, 2015. [16]

Campuses

The university has two main campuses: in Brownsville, Texas at the former University of Texas at Brownsville and Edinburg, Texas at the former University of Texas–Pan American. It has research and clinical locations in McAllen, Harlingen, Rio Grande City, and on South Padre Island. [17]

Academics

Rankings

Academic rankings
National
U.S. News & World Report [18] 220 (tie)
Washington Monthly [19] 58
WSJ/College Pulse [20] 256
Global
ARWU [21] 801-900
THE [22] 1,201-1,500
U.S. News & World Report [23] 966 (tie)

UTRGV offers 86 bachelor's, 75 master's, and 15 doctoral programs. [24] For the academic year 2015–2016, 92.7% of enrolled students came from the Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. The ethnic enrollment is 89.2% Hispanic (Fall 2017). [8]

In 2017, Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine ranked UTRGV 3rd in the country in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanic students. [25]

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked UTRGV 58th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on UTRGV's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service. [26]

Financial aid

In 2017, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was ranked No. 6 (out of 56 Texas universities) for lowest student loan debt in the state of Texas. [27]

Colleges and schools

Eleven colleges and schools formed the academic foundation for UTRGV, including: [28]

UTRGV college/school founding
College/school
Year founded
College of Education and P-16 Integration
2015
College of Engineering and Computer Science
2015
College of Fine Arts
2015
College of Health Affairs
2015
College of Liberal Arts
2015
College of Medicine and Health Affairs
2016
College of Sciences
2015
Graduate College
2015
Honors College
2015
Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship [29]
2015
School of Medicine
2015
University College
2015

Accreditation

UTRGV is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). UTRGV was placed on probation by SACS from December 2016 through December 2018, initially because of concerns surrounding the process of dissolution of the University of Texas at Brownsville, and later for review of a state audit report. [30] [31]

The UTRGV School of Medicine received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in October 2016. [32] In May 2016, the School of Medicine received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to offer a medical residency program in psychiatry. [33]

Proposed expansions

On May 21, 2019, the Texas House of Representatives voted to approve legislation to create a law school at UTRGV. [34]

Student life

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023 [35]
Race and ethnicityTotal
Hispanic 94%
 
International student 2%
 
White 2%
 
Asian 1%
 
Black 1%
 
Unknown1%
 
Economic diversity
Low-income [a] 63%
 
Affluent [b] 37%
 

Athletics

The merged university inherited UTPA's Division I membership; most of the athletic facilities are located in Edinburg. They have membership with the Southland Conference, having left the Western Athletic Conference in 2024. Only the men's soccer and women's swimming programs still compete in the WAC.

On November 19, 2016, the UTRGV women's volleyball team defeated the Utah Valley women's volleyball team, making them the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Volleyball Champions of 2016. [36]

Mascot

The choice of a new university nickname was met with some contention from members of the communities of the two merged schools. [37] UTPA supporters, the larger of the two merged schools, argued for keeping the UTPA nickname, Broncs, while UTB supporters wanted a nickname new to both merged schools. UTPA Alumnus Alex Del Barrio created a petition to "Say No To Vaqueros" that garnered over 11,000 signatures after the announcement was made. [38] Several local city councils also passed resolutions in support of one option or the other. [37] President Guy Bailey recommended a new nickname, Vaqueros, to the University of Texas System Board of Regents on November 5, 2014. [39] The suggestion for Vaquero was inspired by the UTPA student Studio Art projects, where the Toro and Vaquero were the most popular projects. [40]

Bailey also recommended school's athletic colors be UT System orange, green (formerly the secondary color of UTPA), and blue (formerly the secondary color of UTB). [39]

The announcement to the decision generated a swift and mainly negative reaction from some UTPA supporters on social media. These supporters, displeased that the Broncs was being moved to the wayside, determined the name was culturally insensitive, racist, and sexist. [41] [42] Nevertheless, the UT System Board of Regents approved the recommendation the following day, [43] making Vaqueros the fifth NCAA Division I nickname that is a Spanish language word after the Cal State Northridge Matadors, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, San Diego Toreros, and New Mexico Lobos. Bailey considered the decision "final" following the approval by the board of regents. [44] About 500 students protested against the Vaquero mascot on the UTPA campus on 13 November 2014. [45] A petition calling for Bailey's immediate resignation garnered more than 700 signatures. [46] Articles of impeachment were filed against the Student Government President Alberto Adame and Vice President Carla "Fernanda" Pena by Jonathan Lee Salinas (Senator at Large '14–'15) partly for their roles in the mascot committee, though the impeachment process was ended due to insufficient evidence. Following the protests, the UT System issued a press release supporting the "Vaquero" decision. [47]

At the height of the controversy in November 2014, Texas legislator Terry Canales suggested he was considering filing a bill requiring UTRGV to abandon the Vaquero nickname. [44] Canales submitted HB901 [48] in January 2015. [49] If passed, the legislation would require UTRGV to hold a student election for the athletics nickname, with "Broncs" and "Ocelots" on the ballot.

The mascot design was revealed in February 2015. [50] The logo features an orange faced rider in green on a navy blue and green horse. The logo features an outline of Texas in the negative space between the legs of the horse. [51] [52]

In June 2019 the new design for the Vaquero mascot was revealed. The new costumed version was voted on and created by UTRGV students. [53]

Notable alumni (including UTPA and UTB/TSC)

References

  1. ↑ "UTRGV Accreditation History" (PDF).
  2. ↑ "Seal of the University". University of Texas System. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "2020 Annual Report". utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "UTRGV preliminary enrollment steady". UTRGV Student Media. August 23, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Faculty & Staff". The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "UTRGV Color Palette" (PDF). UTRGV.edu. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  7. ↑ LaCoste-Caputo, Jenny; Adler, Karen (December 12, 2013). "Board of Regents votes to name new UT in South Texas The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley" (Press release). Austin, Texas: The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Fast Facts September 2018" (PDF). www.utsystem.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  9. ↑ "2016 Fast Facts" (PDF). Utsystem.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  10. ↑ "Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup". carnegieclassifications.iu.edu. Center for Postsecondary Education. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  11. ↑ Kreighbaum, Andrew (6 December 2012). "UT regents approve merging RGV universities, will create medical school". The Monitor . McAllen, Texas . Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Texas Legislature Online – 83(R) History for SB 24". Capitol.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  13. ↑ Vertuno, Jim (April 28, 2014). "Guy Bailey named sole finalist for president of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal . Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  14. ↑ Taylor, Steve (August 27, 2014). "Bailey names first part of his UTRGV leadership team". Rio Grande Guardian.
  15. ↑ LaCoste-Caputo, Jenny; Adler, Karen (November 6, 2014). "UT System Board of Regents approves "Vaqueros" as athletic nickname for new university" (Press release). El Paso, Texas: The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  16. ↑ Reyes, Dayna (1 September 2015). "McRaven: UTRGV will change the fabric of the Rio Grande Valley". Rio Grande Guardian. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  17. ↑ "Locations". UTRGV. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  18. ↑ "2024-2025 Best National Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report . September 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  19. ↑ "2024 National University Rankings". Washington Monthly . August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  20. ↑ "2025 Best Colleges in the U.S." The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  21. ↑ "2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities". ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  22. ↑ "World University Rankings 2025". Times Higher Education . October 9, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  23. ↑ "2025-2026 Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report . June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Programs | UTRGV". University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  25. ↑ "UTRGV | UTRGV ranks third in the nation in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanic students; top 10 in other rankings". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  26. ↑ "2024 National University Rankings". Washington Monthly. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  27. ↑ "UTRGV | UTRGV ranks sixth among 56 Texas universities for lowest student loan debt". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  28. ↑ "Creating America's Next Great Major University". Utrgv.edu. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  29. ↑ "UTRGV | UTRGV receives largest donation in RGV higher education history, names business college in honor of Robert C. Vackar". Utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  30. ↑ Perez-Hernandez, Danya (December 12, 2018). "UTRGV's accreditation probation lifted by board". Associated Press News . Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  31. ↑ Perez-Hernandez, Danya (December 5, 2017). "UTRGV kept under probation by accrediting agency". The Monitor . Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  32. ↑ "UTRGV | LCME grants preliminary accreditation: UTRGV School of Medicine now accepting applications". Utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  33. ↑ "UTRGV | UTRGV SOM receives accreditation for medical residency program in psychiatry". Utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  34. ↑ Diaz, David (November 10, 2019). "Public law school for Rio Grande Valley authorized by Texas House of Representatives". Progress Time. McAllen, Texas. Associated Press . Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  35. ↑ "College Scorecard: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley". College Scorecard. United States Department of Education . Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  36. ↑ "2016 WAC Volleyball". www.wacsports.com. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  37. 1 2 Solomon, Dan (September 18, 2014). "The Debate Over What The Mascot For The New UT-RGV Campus Is Getting Heated, Y'all". Texas Monthly. Austin, Texas. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  38. ↑ Chapa, Sergio (2014-11-07). "Opponents of UTRGV Vaqueros mascot say fight isn TMt over | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KGBT". KGBT. Valleycentral.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  39. 1 2 Brito, Victoria (November 5, 2014). "UT-RGV mascot recommended to be the Vaquero". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  40. ↑ Perez-Hernandez, Danya (November 7, 2014). "For Vaquero sculptor, UT-RGV controversy not a factor in designing new mascot". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  41. ↑ Nelsen, Aaron (November 6, 2014). "Critics: Vaquero mascot is 'culturally insensitive'". San Antonio Express-News . San Antonio, Texas . Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  42. ↑ Gonzalez, Susan (November 6, 2014). "New university mascot, colors fiercely debated". The Pan American. Edinburg, Texas: UTPA – Student Publications. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  43. ↑ "UT System tweet". Twitter. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  44. 1 2 Chapa, Sergio (November 7, 2014). "UTRGV President Guy Bailey fires back amid "Vaqueros" controversy". KGBT-TV. Harlingen, Texas. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  45. ↑ Perez-Hernandez, Danya (November 10, 2014). "Fight against vaquero not over for UTPA students". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  46. ↑ Espinosa, Elizabeth (2014-11-12). "Petition demands UTRGV President Bailey TMs resignation amid Vaqueros controversy | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KGBT". KGBT. Valleycentral.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  47. ↑ LaCoste-Caputo, Jenny; Adler, Karen (November 14, 2014). "Statement from Chairman Paul Foster, Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Pedro Reyes" (Press release). The University of Texas System Office of Public Affairs. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  48. ↑ HB901
  49. ↑ Perez-Hernandez, Danya (January 23, 2015). "Bill seeks election for UT-RGV nickname". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  50. ↑ Luca, Greg (February 6, 2015). "UT-RGV releases official Vaqueros logo design". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  51. ↑ "University of Texas System selects UTRGV athletic logo". KGBT-TV . Harlingen, Texas. February 12, 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  52. ↑ "I see you". Twitter. February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  53. ↑ "The Newsroom – Bringing pride and tradition: UTRGV reveals mascot". www.utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-17.

Notes

  1. ↑ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  2. ↑ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.
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