Changes to federal policy have resulted in uncertainty and economic strain on the University of Texas at Arlington, according to the leader of Tarrant County鈥檚 largest higher education institution.
UTA President Jennifer Cowley delivered a State of the University address Sept. 11 reflecting on the school鈥檚 history, highlighting successes and acknowledging difficulties in its path forward.
鈥淭hroughout our history, we have faced challenges, and this year, it鈥檚 challenges at the federal level that are stress testing our budgets and people in new ways, especially around research support, student financial aid and international student visas,鈥� she said.
Federal grant cuts are impacting research at universities across the country, and international students are facing a travel ban as well as difficulty in getting visa appointments.
UTA projected a 40% drop in international graduate students this fall, according to a . The school also projected that it would have 300 fewer undergraduates than previously anticipated due to a ruling that undocumented students are no longer eligible for in-state tuition.
Revenue from tuition is expected to drop by between $13 million and $15.6 million this fiscal year due to enrollment challenges.
Cowley said the university instituted a to save money and is thinking of new ways to provide the school with resources.
A silver lining can be found in the university鈥檚 history of handling previous challenges through a collective dedication to its students, academic success and the community, she said.
Academics and student support initiatives
Cowley spotlighted Blaze Forward, a financial aid program that covers tuition and fees for students with need.
This semester, students from families with an income of $100,000 or less are eligible. Previously, the threshold was $85,000. As a result, the percentage of undergraduate students in the program reached 60%, UTA spokesperson Joe Carpenter said.
In fall 2024, 47.5% of undergraduate students received Pell Grants, a form of federal financial aid for low income students.
UTA鈥檚 freshman class reached 5,100 this fall, the largest in the history of the school.
鈥淣ow, even more Texas residents, regardless of financial background, can experience the transformative power of a UTA education,鈥� Cowley said.
Cowley also brought attention to two new hospitality management bachelor鈥檚 degrees as well as philanthropy and space system minors that launched this fall.
Once it receives final approval from the state, UTA plans to begin offering a doctorate of social work to address a social worker shortage, she said.
Research
The university tripled the number of research opportunities available to undergraduates last year, Cowley said.
UTA is an from the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education recognizing the highest level of research activity. Cowley highlighted that UTA is one of 21 R1 schools to also be recognized for student access and the competitive wages its graduates earn.
She mentioned the school鈥檚 plans to cut the ribbon on a new drone facility Sept. 16. The Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center at the UTA Research Institute is a $2.3 million netted outdoor area intended to elevate research.
鈥淥ur engineers can test in all weather conditions, meeting rigorous FAA standards to develop systems that can maintain performance in the most extreme environments Texas can deliver,鈥� she said.
Cowley also highlighted the $2.1 million supercomputing hub the university introduced in July. The facility increases UTA鈥檚 ability to conduct data-intensive research, including projects driven by artificial intelligence.
鈥淭his is a collaboration as it should be, with teams from the Office of Information Technology, , and working together so our students and researchers can address bigger questions, handle bigger data, and do it faster than we鈥檝e ever been able to do before,鈥� she said.
Growth and improvements
Cowley addressed UTA鈥檚 planned expansion and campus upgrade projects in her speech, including and $126 million in funding from the UT System for campus improvements.
On Sept. 8, the university held a ribbon cutting for Maverick Hall, the campus鈥檚 largest residence hall with capacity for 650 students.
Renovations to the Life Sciences building are expected to be finished in fall 2027.
鈥淭his university is always moving forward,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ometimes it feels like the soundtrack of UTA is jackhammers and cement trucks, but that鈥檚 just the sound of a university on the rise.鈥�
McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org.
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