Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The Brownsville City Commission on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). It’s set to strengthen and grow educational programs and opportunities at the Brownsville campus, enhance workforce readiness, and reduce the need for student travel from Brownsville to Edinburg. The partnership comes after City leadership met with University leadership late last year to discuss concerns regarding the need for more academic programming, student engagement, and community involvement in Brownsville.
“Over the last few months, I have worked closely with Senator Adam Hinojosa, Representative Erin Gamez, County Judge Eddie Trevino, and our City Commission to advocate for more UTRGV engagement at the Brownsville campus,” said John Cowen, Jr., Brownsville Mayor. “We have been advocating for more in-person instruction, reduced busing to Edinburg, an increase in academic programs offered here, more investment in the Brownsville campus, moving graduation ceremonies back to Brownsville, and collaborating on future facilities to potentially host more UTRGV sporting events here.”
The MOU requires the development of a “Task Force of the Future.” The Task Force will be comprised of representatives from both the City and the University. It is charged with drafting an action plan that supports the reinstatement and/or development of academic classes and degree programs at the Brownsville campus. This is so that Brownsville university students can take classes here in Brownsville and not have to travel to the Edinburg campus for classes.
“Having recently met with UT Chancellor James Milliken and UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey, we revisited our concerns and as a result, today we now have an MOU in place. I look forward to collaborating closely going forward on these items and future areas of opportunity,” added Mayor Cowen.
According to the MOU, the Task Force will work in good faith to discuss strategies and space/facilities planning towards improving current and future programming for the Brownsville campus and in Cameron County. The Task Force is scheduled to present its plan in July of 2025 and is expected to outline how UTRGV will reinstate classes or degree programs so that most undergraduate students can achieve their bachelor’s degree in Brownsville instead of Edinburg.
The Task Force is scheduled to meet at least once a month to evaluate classes and degree programs to maintain balance within the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. It will consistently evaluate economic trends, and future workforce needs to provide data-driven recommendations in decision-making. Will work to ensure resources, Permanent University Funding (PUF), and degrees, are equitably distributed in accordance with Education Code Section 79.02 (c) and that medical and research programs of the medical school component of the university have a substantial presence in Cameron County.
The Task Force’s respective leadership teams will report updates and discuss opportunities for collaboration to benefit Brownsville students, the City, and the University. In addition, the Task Force is expected to assist and support UTRGV with bringing back the UTRGV Brownsville Commencement Ceremony to Brownsville.
With Brownsville’s rapid growth and expanding opportunities in industries such as space exploration, technology, and international trade, this partnership ensures that students remain at the forefront of innovation while contributing directly to their City’s success.
