Celebrating 10 Years of Graduate Excellence

Celebrating 10 Years of Graduate Excellence 

How Far We've Come Since 2015

Since 2015, UTRGV has empowered over 16,000 students to earn graduate degrees across fields ranging from teaching and administration to medical sciences, engineering and much more. Our mission has remained the same since the beginning: deliver accessible, affordable, and high-quality graduate education that helps students reach their educational goals while serving our community with purpose.  

In just ten years, we’ve expanded our offerings to more than 60 graduate programs, many of them fully online. We’ve launched new master’s and doctoral programs in high-impact areas like teaching, clinical sciences, leadership, and public service. What does this mean? This means our graduates are now faculty members, principals, researchers, and professionals who are making a difference every day. 

We’ve also seen our research enterprise grow in ways we couldn’t have imagined at the start. In Fiscal Year 2024, UTRGV reported $86.9 million in total research expenditures, up from $28.7 million in 2016. But when you look below the surface, this gradual but steady climb reveals more than just numbers. It shows our faculty and students are tackling problems, asking questions and turning over every rock to find solutions.  

And we’re constantly moving forward. Take the Port Isabel Marine Ecosystems Research Facility for example. Opening in 2026, this $21.5 million project will offer more than research labs, it’ll offer dedicated spaces for graduate students to get their hands dirty in one of Texas’s most dynamic coastal regions. 

We’ve expanded access to students beyond the Rio Grande Valley too. With fully online graduate programs, students from anywhere with an internet can move their education and careers forward without putting a hold on their personal lives. Whether students are managing a team, doing cutting-edge research or leading a classroom, our accelerated online programs have helped professionals move their career forward while balancing their kid’s soccer practice, and everything in between.  

Our momentum has never been clearer. In 2024, we awarded 68 research doctoral degrees up from just 14 in 2016. That’s progress not just for us, but for the communities our graduates serve. This growth is just the beginning. The last ten years have laid a strong foundation. AND WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED.  

Stories That Prove It's Possible

Every degree awarded has a personal journey with a story worth telling.  

Since 2015, thousands of UTRGV graduate students have moved forward in their careers, pivoted into something that aligns with their purpose, and even returned to UTRGV for a second advanced degree. Alumni have gone out to serve healthcare leaders, school principals, data scientists, engineers and public servants in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.  

Many were first-generation students, becoming the first in their family to earn a graduate degree.  

Many balanced full-time jobs, and family while studying at night.  

Many came back for a second degree due to the affordability and strong support they received the first time around.  

Many of those stories mention the relationships our students formed with faculty mentors who encouraged them to reach higher. These stores reflect what makes UTRGV unique. It’s a place where everyday people with everyday responsibilities can make their educational goals happen.  

Faculty & Research Excellence 

UTRGV faculty are leading bold, impactful research across disciplines. Over the last decade, our faculty have received national and international recognition for their work. Dr. Sarah Williams-Blangero is widely recognized for her groundbreaking work in genetic and infectious disease research. Her leadership has contributed to major federally funded initiatives and placed her at the forefront of scientific efforts with national relevance. In engineering,  Dr. Jianzhi (James) Li has led critical research tied to energy and manufacturing, supported by federal agencies and national labs.  

Graduates aren’t just working side by side with award-winning faculty, they’re also writing alongside their mentors for peer-reviewed publications. That's an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime and prepares students for industry and academic roles that require research skills. UTRGV faculty not only publish, but also mentor with purpose and that excellence elevates our programs and the communities we serve. 

Affordability That Changes Everything 

When we talk about access and affordability, we mean it. UTRGV has consistently ranked among the most affordable universities in Texas and the nation. In fact, U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly both highlight UTRGV for offering high-quality degrees with low student debt. Over the years, UTRGV has rolled out multiple graduate incentive campaigns, such as $2,000-per-student awards to support students. These efforts have made graduate education more accessible to working professionals, first-generation students, and returning adults. For our students, affordability isn’t just a perk. It’s a gateway. 

Looking Ahead: The Next 10 Years 

The future is already in motion. UTRGV continues to expand graduate offerings in high-impact fields like healthcare, engineering, data science, bilingual education and new fields like AI. New programs are being developed to align with workforce demand and regional priorities. Facilities like the Port Isabel Marine Ecosystems Research Facility are just the beginning, our long-term vision includes more cross-disciplinary research hubs and enhanced support for graduate researchers. UTRGV is also investing in improved digital infrastructure to support online and hybrid learning. Our goal remains the same: to give students the tools, knowledge, and support they need to lead in their fields.  

As we look ahead, we’re not just celebrating the last ten years. We’re building the next ten. 

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