Community Engagement & Integration

The Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in the United States, and our current demographics reflect the future population of Texas and the United States. In this context, UTRGV is uniquely positioned to become a leader in further shaping the Valley’s economic development and advancing new models of bidirectional community-university engagement. These models will prioritize shared ownership, priority-setting, decision-making, and evaluation, and will inspire other institutions across the nation. Our recent recognition by the Carnegie Foundation demonstrates this commitment to cultivating an environment where diverse community members are invited to gather, collaborate and advance the institution and region.

We will continue to foster authentic, mutually beneficial relationships with community and international partners to promote an exchange of ideas and resources for driving economic, social, and cultural impact. The University also aims to expand community-engaged scholarship in collaboration with community leaders and organizations in the Rio Grande Valley to benefit Spanish-speaking and other populations. By engaging bidirectionally with partners to seize opportunities and address challenges in the Rio Grande Valley and elsewhere, we can fulfill our responsibility to transform and improve the lives of members of our community, and we can redefine the way universities can and should interact with their surrounding communities.

  • Signature Initiatives in Support of Community Engagement & Integration
  • Deepen University-Community Engagement
    Continue to foster authentic and bidirectional engagement with new and existing regional, national, and global community partners and with UTRGV and legacy alumni.
  • Take an Integrated, Bi-Directional Approach to Community Engagement
    Infuse community engagement principles into research, teaching, and service activities by offering community service, experiential and service-learning opportunities, and targeted professional development for faculty, staff, and students.
  • Enhance Workforce Development Efforts
    Position UTRGV as a portal for industry partners by connecting them to exciting collaboration opportunities in education, research, and student success to address skills gaps and drive economic impact.
  • Establish Metrics for Assessing Impact
    Develop a comprehensive measurement approach to track UTRGV’s community impact efficiently and effectively.