The details
According to an Aug. 5 news release, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the plan and has authorized the purchase of the property. Positioned at the intersection of I-30 and I-20, the new campus is expected to open fall 2028 and plans to serve more than 10,000 students.
A closer look
UTA President Jennifer Cowley said the western part of the metroplex has several characteristics that make it an ideal location for the new campus, which include:
- An ever-growing population
- A plethora of student talent
- A wide breadth of opportunity for explosive economic advancement
What they’re saying
“Anytime the UT system can expand greater educational opportunity, access and affordability to Texans, we’re going to do it,” said Kevin Eltife, chair of the UT System Board of Regents. “We’ve recently done it in East Texas and South Texas, and now we’re heading west. We’re looking forward to planting a UT Arlington flag in west Fort Worth, currently the nation’s fastest growing city.”
“UTA West represents a transformative investment in our community’s future,” said Robert Allen, Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership president. “By aligning educational resources with the region’s economic needs, UTA is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of 21st-century industries.”
Put in perspective
According to the news release, UTA’s student population is approximately 41,000, making it the second-largest institution in the UT system. It is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2022, UTA earned the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to accelerating Latino student success.
Other accolades include:
- No. 2 nationally for veterans
- No. 3 in Texas for advancing social mobility
- No. 5 in the United States for its undergraduate ethnic diversity
