By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JULY 21, 2023 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley congratulates the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) for its recent recognition as one of the top higher ed agencies in the nation.

The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) announced Tuesday that the THECB received its Exceptional Agency Award, which recognizes a member agency:

• Whose innovative actions, policies, or practices advance student success in their state.
• Which displayed exceptional governance practices.
• Overcame exceptional challenges.
• Or displayed other meritorious attributes within the past year.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the THECB has been instrumental in the university’s ability to expand educational opportunities for students throughout the Rio Grande Valley. With THECB’s support, UTRGV has created 43 new degree programs and certificates since 2015, with many more in the development stage.  

“I can’t think of another organization more deserving of this honor,” Bailey said. “On behalf of myself and everyone at UTRGV, I congratulate the coordinating board on this well-deserved award and thank them for being such a valuable partner.”

Bailey also praised the work and support of McAllen native Dr. Fred Farias, who has been a THECB board member since 2015 and chair of the board since 2021.  

“The Valley is so fortunate to have Dr. Farias as the THECB chair,” Bailey said. “His commitment and support to this region is unmatched, and his leadership is a big reason the THECB is leading the way in advancing higher education and driving the state’s economic competitiveness.”

ABOUT THE AWARD

SHEEO has selected the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as this year’s awardee based on criteria and initiatives that include innovative actions, policies, or practices that advanced student success in their state; display exceptional governance practices; overcome exceptional challenges; or display other meritorious attributes within the past year.

Texas is one of a few states that immediately prioritized federal stimulus funds through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund for higher education. GEER investments in Texas totaled more than $360 million, demonstrating an investment critical to the state’s economic recovery and future competitiveness.

Texas recently unveiled its ambitious strategic plan for higher education, Building a Talent-Strong Texas. This comprehensive plan expands on the successes of its previous initiative, 60x30TX, by emphasizing the value of credentials earned and providing greater opportunities for Texans, including working adults, to earn degrees, certificates, and other credentials that lead to meaningful careers. 

Texas is the first state to condition its postsecondary completion goals on the value of credentials earned, and the plan focuses on three measurable, data-driven goals: 1) attainment of postsecondary credentials; 2) postsecondary credentials of value; and 3) research, development, and innovation. 

Over the past several years, Texas has undergone significant modernization efforts to redesign its data infrastructure, so it is modern, flexible, and meets the needs of users. Texas has also built a world-class advising tool to help students access and persist through higher education with technology-enabled college and career planning. The My Texas Future tool makes the planning experience more personal, meaningful, and connects to students’ goals and aspirations—all while rooting their decisions in practical information like real-world earnings and regional job demand. 

During the 88^th session of the Texas Legislature, THECB was able to secure a once-in-a-generation commitment to higher education, with legislative investments of more than $5 billion over the next two years. As part of this historic session for higher education, Texas celebrated the signing of House Bill 8 (HB 8) into law, which codified an innovative new model to fund community colleges in Texas. The new model moves to an outcomes-based approach and rewards colleges for awarding degrees, certificates, and other credentials of value.

These achievements have positioned the THECB as a role model among SHEEO agencies.

“The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is honored to have received this special recognition from SHEEO,” Farias said. “Texas has set out to achieve bold new goals in Building a Talent-Strong Texas and, in doing so, more Texans will be able to achieve greater economic mobility and prosperity.”