Brownsville & UTRGV Expand Campus Programs Together

The City of Brownsville and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley released recommendations to expand academic offerings in Brownsville and reduce student travel between the two campuses.

The Task Force of the Future, formed after city and university leaders signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2025, outlined six priorities: academics, student life, facilities, governance, community and economic impact, and athletics.

Top recommendations include expanding civil and mechanical engineering programs so students can complete all four years of undergraduate study in Brownsville. The university will add lab space, classrooms, faculty offices, and machine shop facilities. UTRGV also plans to explore health programs and clinical sites aligned with local high school pathways.

UTRGV has invested more than $514 million in Brownsville and $621 million across Cameron County. The university added more than 3,000 class seats during Spring 2026 and expanded undergraduate and graduate programs locally.

"When we invest in higher education, we invest in our workforce, our economy and our community," Mayor John Cowen Jr. said.

The Task Force will meet semiannually to measure progress and issue annual reports.