President's Messages 2014
View the latest messages from the president.
December 18, 2014
As we approach a new year and a new state legislative session, it is important that we work as a team across the Rio Grande Valley to assure that our legislative priorities are effectively communicated and that our state and federal legislators are being given appropriate and timely information.
December 18, 2014 - Hiring Update
I would like to thank you again for your patience with the hiring process for UTRGV. By the time we leave for the holiday break at the end of this week, we will have successfully posted or filled almost 1,400 faculty and staff positions!
November 26, 2014
I am so honored to be on this journey with you to establish the first major American university of the 21st Century—The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Our journey will be eminently worth it when we reach our destination and open UTRGV in Fall 2015 and the UTRGV Medical School in Fall 2016. Together, we have accomplished amazing things in a few short months. Let me share just a few highlights from this year with you.
November 24, 2014
I am writing to update you on hiring for UTRGV. As of November 20, we have hired more than 1,000 faculty and staff, including most of the Vice Presidents or Unit Heads, and we have posted or are currently posting non-supervisory positions for the following units.
November 10, 2014
I am sure most of you have heard the news that The University of Texas Board of Regents unanimously approved my recommendation last week to name the Vaqueros as the athletic nickname for UTRGV and to maintain the colors of UT Brownsville and UT Pan American – blue, green and orange – to represent our new university.
October 30, 2014
Please join me in welcoming four more members to the UTRGV leadership team. All will begin in their new roles on November 1, 2014. Irv Downing has accepted the position of Associate Vice President for Economic Development and the Interim Associate Vice President for Advancement Operations.
October 23, 2014
Please join me in welcoming two new additions to our UTRGV leadership team. Both will begin in their new roles on November 1, 2014. Dr. Kristin Croyle has accepted the position of Vice President for Student Success at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) reporting directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
October 15, 2014
I am pleased to announce the appointments of the Interim Deans for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Mikhail M. Bouniaev will serve as Interim Dean of the College of Sciences. Dr. Bouniaev is currently the Dean of the College of Science, Mathematics and Technology at UTB/TSC.
October 7, 2014
I am pleased to announce the appointment of a new member to my executive team at UTRGV. Martin V. “Marty” Baylor will serve as the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at UTRGV.
August 26, 2014
I am pleased to announce the first of several appointments to my leadership team at UTRGV. Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, Dr. Janna Arney, and Letty Fernandez will be taking on new administrative roles at UTRGV while continuing to serve their campuses.