Greetings,

Last month’s announcement that UTA had earned the Texas Tier One designation was thrilling for the University. But it doesn’t signify an endpoint for UTA; rather, it’s a critical milestone on our continued path toward increasing excellence in academics and research.

The University continues to make important gains for multiple fronts: attracting a student body that is representative of our great state, credentialing students in programs critical to our communities, and providing leadership in innovation, education, and health care to make Texas an even better place to learn, work, and live.

Just in the last few weeks, UT Arlington garnered national recognition from leading publications for the diversity of our undergraduate student body, for our performance as a driver of social mobility, and for our contributions to the public good. Our nursing program, the largest of any public university in the United States, received a Center of Excellence designation from the National League for Nursing for its sustained efforts to advance the science of nursing education.

We also continue to create and innovate in our classrooms and laboratories. Our School of Social Work launched a new degree program in substance use and treatment that will address an array of substance abuse disorders that costs the U.S. more than $740 billion a year. Our College of Engineering has begun a new program in collaboration with North Texas-area high school STEM teachers that will help inspire the next generation of students to pursue careers in engineering. And a mechanical and engineering professor continued his quest to save the lives of American soldiers by working to develop a smart helmet that can protect against blasts and other attacks.

These stories are representative of the vast academic talent that drove us to achieve Tier One status and will propel us to even greater heights in the years to come. Thank you for your support of our great University.

Sincerely,

Teik C. Lim, Ph.D. UTA President ad interim