UTEP News | Updates from The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso

Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro, P.C. Commits Transformational $5 Million Gift to Support UTEP Law School

EL PASO, Texas (April 8, 2026) Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro, P.C. has committed $5 million to support efforts to establish a law school at The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso. The gift was announced today at a celebration with UTEP President Heather Wilson and partners James Tawney, Alejandro Acosta and Daisy Chaparro Cavazos.

UTEP Mobilizes More than 600 Volunteers to Serve El Paso Community

More than 600 volunteers from The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso came together Saturday, April 4, to support the community during its annual service day, Project MOVE (Miner Opportunities for Volunteer Experiences).

College of Education Launches New Online Doctoral Degree with Leadership Focus

EL PASO, Texas (April 2, 2026) – The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso College of Education has launched the JAV��Ů�Ź�’s first fully online doctoral program: the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration. The program is aimed at experienced educators who want to advance their careers, contribute to innovative, applied research and lead change in their professional workplace.

UTEP Announces 2026 Top Ten Seniors

The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso Alumni Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Top Ten Seniors award. Now celebrating its 76th year, the prestigious honor recognizes outstanding UTEP students who have distinguished themselves through academic excellence, leadership and service.

UTEP Study: Six Weeks of Boxing Training Significantly Lowers Blood Pressure in Young Adults

A new study from researchers at The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso shows that just six weeks of boxing training can significantly reduce blood pressure and improve blood vessel function in young adults with elevated blood pressure or Stage 1 hypertension.

UTEP, Workforce Solutions Borderplex Awarded Grant to Place More Students at Competitive Internships

The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso’s Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce and Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) have been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to connect more students with internships that prepare them for post-graduate careers.

UTEP Secures Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification

The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso has once again earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The designation, awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, affirms UTEP’s sustained commitment to meaningful, reciprocal partnerships that advance community-engaged teaching, research and service.

UTEP Ranked Second Most Affordable College in Texas by Research.com

EL PASO, Texas (March 12, 2026) – The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso is the second most affordable college in the state of Texas, according to new 2026 rankings by Research.com. The platform also ranked UTEP fifth best college in Texas in terms of overall quality of education, beating out Rice JAV��Ů�Ź�, Texas Tech JAV��Ů�Ź�, Texas Christian JAV��Ů�Ź� and others.

3D-Printed Rattlesnake Reveals How the Rattle Is a Warning Signal

EL PASO, Texas (March 11, 2026) – A team of researchers from The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso has uncovered new evidence explaining why the rattlesnake’s rattle – one of nature’s most iconic warning signals – has persisted and proven so effective across millions of years.

UTEP Appoints Michael Martinez as Assistant Vice President for Regional Innovation & Partnerships

EL PASO, Texas (March 5, 2026) – The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso has appointed Michael Martinez, a seasoned public-sector executive and UTEP alumnus, as assistant vice president for regional innovation and partnerships, effective Jan. 5, 2026.

UTEP Unveils Plans for to Transform Arroyo into Natural Park

EL PASO, Texas (March 4, 2026) – Students at The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso will soon be able to study, socialize or just relax in a beautiful natural park located at the center of campus. UTEP President Heather Wilson and Vice President for Business Affairs Col. (Ret.) Brendan Gallagher, Ph.D., unveiled the plans for the restoration of the arroyo at a celebration event today.

UTEP Students Provide Free Tax Preparation Through Project VITA

EL PASO, Texas (March 3, 2026) – The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso is continuing its partnership with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing free tax preparation services this week to the Paso del Norte community while giving students valuable real-world experience.

UTEP Names Marc Knecht Dean of the College of Science

The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso has named Marc Knecht, Ph.D., the new dean of the College of Science. In this role, Knecht will oversee academic programs, faculty development, research initiatives and student success efforts across the College of Science, advancing UTEP’s reputation as America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. In Fall 2025, more than 3,500 students were enrolled in the college.

Why Laws Named After Tragedies Win Public Support

EL PASO, Texas (Feb. 24, 2026) – When lawmakers name bills after victims of tragedy – think Megan’s Law or the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 – public support surges, but this emotional boost may come at the expense of sound policymaking, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

UTEP Appoints George Luxbacher to Spearhead Relaunch of Mining Engineering Program

EL PASO, Texas (Feb. 23, 2026) – The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso has appointed George Luxbacher, Ph.D., to spearhead the relaunch of its Mining Engineering program. Luxbacher, whose career spans more than five decades in mining research, industry leadership and federal government service, officially joins UTEP on March 23 as a professor of practice.

UT System Board of Regents Approve $65 Million for New Student Success Center at UTEP

EL PASO, Texas (Feb. 19, 2026) – Today The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas System Board of Regents approved $65 million in permanent university funds for the creation of a new Student Success Center at The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso.

UTEP Awarded Gold for Veterans Education Excellence

The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso has received the 2025 gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award (VEERA), the highest designation given by the Texas Veterans Commission. The accolade recognizes UTEP as a veteran-inclusive institution that excels in supporting military-connected students.

$2 Million Federal Appropriation to Expand Drone Research and Teaching at UTEP Aerospace Center

Today, officials at The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso announced a $2 million appropriation from the federal government to expand drone testing and operations infrastructure at the JAV��Ů�Ź�’s remote facilities in Fabens and Tornillo, Texas. JAV��Ů�Ź� President Heather Wilson was joined by U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales and UTEP Aerospace Center Executive Director Shery Welsh, Ph.D. for the announcement.

UTEP Breaks Spring Enrollment Record with Nearly 25,000 Students

EL PASO, Texas (Feb. 11, 2026) – The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso enrolled 24,901 students for the Spring 2026 semester – the highest spring enrollment in the JAV��Ů�Ź�'s history and a 4.4% increase over Spring 2025.

Miguel Loya Donates $30 Million to UTEP for Engineering Excellence

The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso has named its college of engineering the Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering to recognize a $30 million gift -- the largest in university history -- from alumnus Miguel Loya.

UTEP Press Announces Texas Western and Discovery Book Award Winners

UTEP Press at The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso announced today the winners of its first round of book awards since relaunching the press in fall 2025. UTEP Press, which publishes a wide variety of popular and academic books, announced winners in two categories for its inaugural 2026 awards, as well as its 2027 book awards.

UTEP Cybersecurity Clinic Completes First Year of Free Services for Community

The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso’s Miners Cybersecurity Clinic has reached a major milestone, completing the first year of students delivering free cybersecurity services to local El Paso organizations.

$1.5 Million Gift from JAV��Ů�Ź� Medical Center to Help Grow UTEP’s Nursing, Occupational Therapy Programs

EL PASO, Texas (Jan. 29, 2026) – The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso can significantly increase the size of its nursing and occupational therapy programs thanks to a new $1.5 million gift from JAV��Ů�Ź� Medical Center (UMC) of El Paso. The funds will support hiring new faculty in the Colleges of Nursing and Health Sciences to expand the class size of each program and meet increasing demand for more health care providers.

UTEP Achieves Record $162.3 Million in Research Expenditures

The JAV��Ů�Ź� of Texas at El Paso has set a new institutional record for annual research expenditures, reporting $162.3 million for fiscal year 2025. The milestone represents a multimillion-dollar increase over the previous year’s record of $158 million and continues UTEP’s upward trajectory in research productivity.

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