By Maria Gonzalez

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MARCH 31, 2026 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been named Associate Member of the Year for Fiscal Year 2025 by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), recognizing the university’s strong engagement and participation across the national research consortium’s programs and initiatives.

The award was presented March 17, 2026, during the ORAU Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Dr. Megan Keniry, UTRGV assistant vice president for research enhancement, attended the meeting and received the award on behalf of UTRGV.

“As UTRGV’s ORAU councilor, my role is to help connect our faculty and students with the many programs, fellowships and collaborative opportunities available through the consortium,” said Keniry. “This recognition reflects the growing engagement of our researchers and the university’s commitment to participating in national research partnerships.”

UTRGV shares the honor with Fayetteville State University. The recognition highlights universities that demonstrate exceptional involvement in ORAU activities and programs throughout the fiscal year.

ORAU is a national network of more than 160 universities that collaborates with federal agencies, national laboratories and industry partners to advance research, education and workforce development. UTRGV has been an ORAU associate member since 2009, when its legacy institution, The University of Texas–Pan American, joined the consortium.

“This recognition reflects the commitment of our faculty and research community to engage in national collaborations that expand opportunities for discovery and innovation,” said Dr. Can Saygin, UTRGV senior vice president for research and dean of the Graduate College. “Our participation in ORAU connects UTRGV researchers and students with a national network of universities, federal agencies and laboratories, strengthening our ability to contribute to major scientific and research initiatives.”

The recognition is based on participation documented in ORAU’s FY2025 Annual Member Activity Report, which tracks member institutions’ involvement in programs, research partnerships and consortium activities throughout the fiscal year.

According to the report, UTRGV participated in several ORAU initiatives during FY2025, including four-member dialogue calls, webinars or campus visits, one application to the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award program, and a Basic Ordering Agreement with ORAU supporting research collaborations.

UTRGV researchers and students also held 12 ORAU research appointments during the fiscal year, including placements for undergraduate students, graduate students, recent graduates and faculty researchers through ORAU-administered programs.

ORAU established its Member Recognition Program in 2023 to highlight institutions that demonstrate strong leadership and participation within the consortium.

For more information about ORAU and its programs, visit www.orau.org.