The State of The University: This Fall at Texas A&M International University
These words capture the theme of this year’s State of the University address. It’s hard to believe that almost a year has passed since our University community was deeply affected by the sudden and untimely passing of Dr. Pablo Arenaz.
Now, in our 55th year of existence and 30th year on this campus, we will soon welcome a new president to lead us into the future.
In times of transition, as these, we move ahead in exploration not to lose the identity of who we are, but to reaffirm it as we evolve—to see with a newfound clarity and insight our values and goals—to deepen our understanding of who we have been all along and the mission that has always guided us.
As our journey continues, much remains constant: the dedicated familiar faces across our University, the roles each performs, our wonderful students striving for their better lives, and the cherished place we, as an institution, hold in our community. In the face of change, so long as we remain guided by and grounded in our purpose, we can grow in perspective and know our University for the first time.
I’d like to reflect on the progress we’ve made, the opportunities that lie ahead, and the promising future we’re building—together.
First, let’s look back at a defining moment of transformation at TAMIU. In 1990, five years before we opened the doors to our campus as a four-year University, the educational attainment rate of Webb County stood at just 11%. By 2023, that figure had more than doubled to 23%. The significance of that growth cannot be overstated, especially when considering the explosive population growth in our region, home to the largest port of entry in the western hemisphere.
That growth is mirrored in our student enrollment growth at all levels, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral. Thanks to dedicated funding provided in past legislative sessions, TAMIU students have a level of support not available to students at other institutions of our size.
Over 2/3 of our students are the first in their families to attend college, but that doesn’t mean they lack the aptitude to be successful. In fact, the number of students we recruit in the top 10% of their high school class rivals that of some of the State system’s flagship universities as a percentage of the freshman class they represent. In addition to their academic aptitude, these students have the drive and determination to succeed.
We significantly exceeded last Fall’s enrollment projection and, before our new Fall Semester began, passed an enrollment milestone of 9,000-plus undergraduate and graduate students for the very first time.
Enrollment means little if students don’t persist, and TAMIU’s persistence rates remain in the mid-80’s, making us the highest-ranking A&M System school, second only to College Station. With persistence comes graduation, and I’m happy to say that last year, our four-year graduation rate was the highest four-year graduation rate ever at TAMIU.
Our average time to degree has fallen to 4.5 years—the lowest it’s ever been in our institution’s history. The metric examines the length of time it took graduates each year to complete their degrees.
It stands to reason that when students graduate in a timely manner, they reduce the amount of student loan debt they take on, and I’m happy to say TAMIU has the second- lowest student loan debt among South Texas universities, and the lowest tuition and fees.
I’m also proud to say we remain an outlier among universities, charging the same tuition and fees to all students regardless of their chosen degree. While the argument for differential tuition is that students in certain fields stand to earn more upon graduation, students often make decisions on what they can afford today. At TAMIU, our students can follow their passion and aren’t forced into a major based on what they can afford.
Additionally, like other universities in Texas, we have not increased tuition since Fall 2021. Despite this, we have remained fiscally healthy not only due to our growing enrollment, but also because of increased investment by the State. As an institution, we were very successful in the recently ended 89th Regular Legislative Session. TAMIU’s increase in funding was second only to College Station.
Following the close of each fiscal year, we analyze our expenses. One key indicator of our efficiency as an institution is our spending on institutional support—commonly referred to as administrative costs. At 6.4%, our administrative costs are the lowest in the A&M System, second only to College Station, which, of course, benefits from significantly greater economies of scale.
Our fiscal judiciousness in these expenses allows us to spend on our core mission, and as you might expect, we spend the greatest percentage on instruction, followed by academic support and scholarships, together representing 56% of all expenses.
Now, on campus construction...our Clinical Health Sciences Center on the east side of campus and the addition to our Western Hemispheric Trade Center on the west side of campus are scheduled for substantial completion this Spring, with move-in in either late Spring or early Summer. We will soon begin renovation of our Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.
An update on our Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Decennial Reaffirmation: following a successful, on-site visit last April, we received our Reaffirmation Committee report, which included minor recommendations. Our response report addressing these recommendations is due August 31, and we expect a final, positive decision in December.
Finally, an update on our presidential search. Our Chancellor, Glenn Hegar, has interviewed the finalists advanced to him by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. He has or will soon make his recommendation to the Board of Regents for consideration at the August Board meeting, scheduled August 27 - 29. Assuming they name a sole finalist, there will be a 21-day waiting period with our new president expected to start on October 1...in time to join us in celebrating our 55th Anniversary.
While I won’t say it’s been an easy year, it has been one of purpose and progress. We stayed true to our promise, and we remain committed to our mission of graduating our students to better lives, uplifting not just them, but their families and communities for generations to come. We have honored Dr. Arenaz’s legacy while embracing the future.
This is the State of our University. It’s a story I’m proud to share. I hope all have gleaned something new and that you too, may know the place for the first time.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to be able to give back to our University and our community as TAMIU’s interim president. Guided by purpose, growing through change, our journey continues.
Juan J. Castillo is Interim President at Texas A&M International University
