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Important themes are beginning to emerge through the Forward Thinking strategic planning process.

The future of UT Arlington is full of promise. The University community has been actively generating ideas and input as part of the Forward Thinking strategic planning process.

Following a call to action by the president through his Dialogue letters to faculty, staff, alumni, and students, suggestions and feedback have been pouring in via this website, as well as through numerous meetings and conversations taking place on campus, across the Metroplex, and beyond.

Highlighted here are some of the emerging themes that will help shape the future of UT Arlington. Please click “Recommend” for themes you agree with.

Faculty/Staff Responses

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A SHARED VISION

I would add a Ph.D. in science or mathematics education and develop a Ph.D. program in educational psychology.

I would focus on our role and privilege as a diverse university and encourage research related to diversity in STEM careers.

I would focus on developing ourselves as a unique Tier One university and not try to emulate any other universities.

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OUR REPUTATION

UTA is well known for engineering, social work, and nursing. Our research is cutting edge.

We are known for our nursing, business, and engineering schools.

I think UTA is best known for its wheelchair basketball teams and their successes.

The College of Engineering is known nationally and clearly internationally as demonstrated by our international enrollment. We are also known as the school without a football team, which demonstrates that we're committed to academics.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

I like the shuttle bus and the fact that the route has been extended to 10 p.m. It makes me feel that UTA is concerned with my safety and well being. It helps me save money on gas, and I can feel safe walking from the bus stop to class.

We are beginning to really embrace being a residential college, not just a commuter school.

I'm proud of the willingness to change and reshape the image of the University going forward.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

Improve communication from the upper administration through deans to departments. Faculty are often taken by surprise within our own college or at the University level as communication has been quite poor in the past. Similarly, improve the means of directing information up to the administration.

Increase the number of women faculty in engineering, and the number of African-American faculty overall, so that our faculty begins to better reflect the diversity of our student population.

UTA is widely considered a commuter school. I would like to change that perception and give UTA the atmosphere of a real university campus and particularly a football program.

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IDENTIFYING PEERS

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has relatively (but not the most) selective admissions standards, centers of academic excellence, a community-service orientation, strong support from the community, strong athletics, a strong brand, and is similar in size to UT Arlington.

UTA should become more like Stanford University.

Our institution is bi-polar. Everyone says Tier One is important. However, some colleges are involved in questionable activities more associated with low-tiered schools.

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

There are opportunities for research in the areas of clean energy and sustainability.

Create or obtain a law school (many great Tier One universities have a law school).

Create more opportunities for study abroad programs.

Start ACTING like a Tier One university. Stop the poor-talking, downplaying of UTA and our role in the state. Encourage more spirit and involvement from the faculty and staff. We are ALL part of UTA and represent UTA to the state and the world.

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A SHARED VISION

Since we are indeed an urban university, I think it's worth pointing out that any model 21st-century urban university would need to have access to a high-quality public transportation system. UTA has begun to develop infrastructure for public transport and should continue to develop the network!

For a model urban university, I would ensure UTA retains, nurtures, and promotes its professional degrees, such as the MArch, MBA, MPA, MCRP, BSN and MSN, MSSW, MEd, MEngr, etc. I would add a JD to this list (i.e., obtain or create a law school at UTA).

I would continue to cater, as UTA has a long history of doing, to non-traditional working students by offering courses that meet once a week, in the evening, etc.

If I were the president of UTA, I would ensure that facilities would be built for the future in terms of function, capacity, ability to renovate as needed over time, and the number colleges, schools, and departments it would serve—not just build for the here and now.

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BUILDING COMMUNITY

Homecoming was a wonderful event that brought together many components of the community. It would be great to have a monthly event, say every first Friday, in which Spaniolo Drive is closed to vehicles and turned into a pedestrian mall, similar to how it was used during Homecoming.

Establish a Center for Nursing Excellence to provide preventive health care services to low-income families within a specified geographical area.

Our students should be compelled, perhaps incentivized via class credit, to participate in service learning projects spread out across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

We could take a leadership role in the arts community, especially with the city of Arlington. For a city its size, Arlington is extremely behind in facilities for the arts.

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ECONOMIC IMPACT

Continue to make strides in research and development while working with North Texas companies to become a technology center.

Ask not what the local area can do for us; ask what we can do for the local area. Survey business and governmental leaders in DFW. Ask them what skill sets and subjects of study this region needs in the next 10-20 years? Then adjust our offerings accordingly.

Support the staff better monetarily so the staff has a better ability to spend money in the North Texas economy.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

Providing a good quality education at an affordable price. Providing good scholarships. Providing an environment for students to contribute to, and participate in, high-quality research. Providing an environment that is encouraging of minorities and provides role models for minorities.

The difficult circumstances facing our students and how they overcome obstacles. Many lack a parent who attended college and most work nearly full time while going to school. They are facing long odds for success and working hard to overcome them.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

We need to change the culture of mediocrity and its rigidness in trying new ways of approaching course delivery and cross-disciplinary work.

We should have even more students living on/near campus.

I would like to see UTA invest more in sustainability, specifically by establishing an Environmental and Sustainability Studies Center with plans to create an ESS undergraduate major.

We routinely and regularly get in our own way.

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A SHARED VISION

We should treat all colleges, schools, and departments equally.

If I were president, I would actively address the lack of fiscal development from the state legislature, UT System, private donors, local corporations, local organizations, and alumni.

Let more people give money to what they want to give it to. This process is tedious and a $1,000 or below gift is looked at as petty within the Office of Development because it is missing some zeroes.

Stop hiring faculty and administrators from within. This "in-breeding" creates an atmosphere that isn't really willing to encourage growth or new cultures.

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OUR REPUTATION

We're known for academics.

Diversity and distance education are our biggest strengths.

I've been on the faculty since 2008. I have the impression that UTA is known for innovation, educating large numbers of students, and for aspiring to great research in science and engineering. UTA is also known for innovations in online learning and distance education.

UTA is best known for the following: Academics: nursing, engineering. Student body: diversity. Overall: momentum and messaging thereof.

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IDENTIFYING PEERS

We should emulate our peers at Arizona State and/or the Georgia System.

At Arizona State University, the rhetoric behind the "New American University" emboldened and invigorated everyone on campus.

The University of Houston is a good Tier One model for us.

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FOCUS ON STUDENTS

Continue to fund and support opportunities for undergraduate research.

I believe that UTA athletics should include a college soccer program. There are more kids in Texas that play youth soccer than any other sport.

There should be more accountability for teaching quality. Has anyone ever been fired from UTA for being a poor instructor?

We need to have more student engagement in classes.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

We need to improve our facilities across the board.

We need to have more classroom space.

I'm proud of the accomplishments of our science and engineering programs but would like to see some balance in emphasis on liberal arts programs. Now that we have College Park Center, Texas Hall isn't needed for basketball and should be upgraded to be a performance venue for music and theater students.

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A SHARED VISION

Change the business model for The University of Texas at Arlington. Hire more strategic thinkers and less data pushers, for both staff and faculty.

Eliminate inefficiencies and redundancies in the administration to help cut down costs to the University that could be spent growing essential departments and hiring more strategic thinkers.

Create a think tank of young or young-minded individuals with a sole purpose of remodeling our educational tool to advance our University to meet the needs of 21st-century students.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

The collegiality of past years is a source of pride.

I support the efforts to connect the University and the community.

I am most proud of the growth of UTA and for its Tier One aspirations. I believe these efforts are commendable and should be recognized.

I am most proud of the way UT Arlington is embracing the change/growth. It has diversity in culture and ethnicity and diversity in thought.

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IDENTIFYING PEERS

I would emulate MIT. It is most similar to UT Arlington in that it is an urban university without a football team that exemplifies academic and research excellence.

We should aspire to emulate the University of Oregon.

Washington State University (https://globalcampus.wsu.edu) does outstanding work in creating the global campus. This is what UTA should be considered—a global campus!

UCLA is a Tier One institution that we should model ourselves after.

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Commit more resources to innovative course delivery—not just online, but also in terms of flexible course offerings (e.g., five-week classes during the long semesters where appropriate).

Further develop key relationships with the community by taking on relevant problem-based research that will benefit the community.

Internationalize the curriculum with more opportunities for students to study abroad and participate in high-impact projects in their undergraduate experience.

Attract established, internationally known scholars across the colleges at UTA.

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ECONOMIC IMPACT

UT Arlington could improve the local economy by becoming a small business-generating machine.

Fully integrate the arts, humanities, and sciences, and make the case why an internationally recognized university needs all sides of the equation.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

We need more African-American and Hispanic faculty.

UTA needs to start thinking like a world-class university, rather than continually saying, "Well, we're not UT or A&M."

Find ways to increase the infrastructure needed to sustain current growth as well as support future growth.

I would improve our HR department.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

We need to bring faculty salaries up to where they should be; they are much too low.

The thinking on this campus, among faculty and staff, needs to shift from being "needs based" to being aspirational. Instead of focusing on the basic things—equipment, endowments, money—we need to focus on creating dynamic programs in collaboration with the community, other institutions, companies, and organizations.

Original, creative, problem-solving ideas generate energy and momentum that will attract the equipment, endowments, and money the institution needs. But the great ideas must come first, and they must start small and grow. We can't say, "We've got a great idea if you will give us money to make it happen."

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FOCUS ON STUDENTS

We must better organize ourselves and the way we present information to our students. For instance, there is no central location where all available scholarship opportunities are posted.

Advising is critical to student success. Do not expect that students will know to be proactive to get the help they need. Support, particularly in the first year of college, that is intentional and designed is important to student success.

The best thing that can be done is to focus attention on the academic success of our students.

Assure that all advisers university-wide are relaying correct messages/advice to the students.

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Three to five years is not a long time. Basketball success would certainly enhance the national reputation within that timeframe. By success I mean making the Sweet 16 on a consistent basis.

A dynamic engineering breakthrough—one with obvious benefits that even the most basic layperson could understand—would make a national/international impact.

A dramatic shift in philosophy, something like a graduation requirement that turns every student into a budding philanthropist, would garner national attention. The Live to Give Initiative!

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OUR REPUTATION

UT Arlington is known for engineering, physics, and chemistry.

We're admired for the diversity of our students and the nursing program.

I think the University is admired for the quality of our engineering, physics, and kinesiology programs. Our nursing program is also strong.

I think that analytical chemistry is one of the most advanced areas in our University.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

UTA is committed to being a Tier One institution. In addition to the criteria set out by the state, it is dedicated in rigor and excellence in its teaching, research and discovery, and educating Ph.D. students.

I'm proud of our diversity and strength of the engineering programs.

I am most proud of UTA's diverse student body, which makes teaching here a real joy. I am also proud of the University's growth over the past decade. The campus is so much more attractive and vibrant, both socially and intellectually. UTA has become a great place to work.

I take pride in our collegiality.

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A SHARED VISION

Rethink administrative configurations to provide more flexibility.

Restructure the first-year experience and redesign University College.

Work to make undergraduate and high-impact projects a hallmark of a UT Arlington undergraduate degree by fostering cross-collaborations and removing barriers to fostering such.

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A SHARED VISION

Invest in faculty research across departments.

I think if we focus on being Tier One, we will become a model urban university.

Frankly speaking, we lack the range and number of faculty members needed to pursue the opportunities that are sitting out there for us to take (foundational and major educational programs).

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Be a leader in the area of online learning/distance education.

Build a new performing arts venue.

Increase funding for student scholarships.

Capitalize on the opportunities in online learning, faculty recruitment, and student retention/graduation rates.

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OUR REPUTATION

I think UTA is best known for its diverse population of students and staff. We have a myriad of ages, religions, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses. UTA mirrors the WORLD in which we live.

Our engineering program, our diversity, and our location are our biggest strengths.

Internationally, our MBA program in China has a good reputation.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

The diversity of our students is what I'm most proud of.

I am proud that UT Arlington is taking the next step from solid education to Tier One excellence.

UT Arlington has become a "destination" campus and is no longer being thought of as a commuter school. The growth of the campus and the addition of College Park is amazing and impressive. Many guests have commented on how impressed they were.

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A SHARED VISION

Focus, focus, focus. Why limit ourselves to being the model 21st-century urban university? Why not focus on becoming the model 21st-century university?

I think our current president is on the right track with understanding the "data." That is, what trends we have seen over the last 5-10 years. I would also include "to inspire our staff with his vision for UTA." More administrative support would be awesome!

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EFFECTING CHANGE

Bring UT Arlington into the 21st century. Most if not all institutions are processing more and more forms online. A Tier One institution does not process forms by paper. But UT Arlington still does. I would change how undergraduate admissions and graduate admissions process applications.

UT Arlington should not be reactionary in situations, but gather all facts. We should be forward thinking.

The one thing I would change would be to bring back football.

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ECONOMIC IMPACT

The more it grows, the more jobs it creates. I think it is doing a fine job of that right now.

The continued collaboration between UT Arlington and the Arlington community to renew the downtown area will eventually influence and improve the North Texas economy with more businesses and tourists visiting the area.

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

The intersection of nanoengineering/nanosciences, biomedical sciences, and information sciences is where we should be.

1) I would say we need to continue communication and development efforts so we can continue to connect with alumni; 2) Emphasize key academic and research areas because there is so much exciting potential; 3) Embrace our growing pains and keep going.

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FOCUS ON STUDENTS

Improve faculty/student communication. Faculty must be more accessible and must be able to address the questions of students who want to learn and are seeking help.

We desperately need to improve the first courses that students encounter when they arrive at our institution. This includes most of our first-year courses, as well as key courses that transfer students encounter.

I think UTA should do more to increase class sizes. We fill up so many courses so quickly that it frustrates our students.

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IDENTIFYING PEERS

UC Davis would be a good university to emulate.

UT Austin is an institution we should model ourselves after.

I am sure there are many lessons to learn from the top Tier One universities, which we should look at carefully. However, I'd like UT Arlington to carve out its own niche rather than try to copy another university.

There are two universities that I regard as models, Arizona State University and University of Maryland Baltimore County. Both have developed top-tier research and scholarship while making innovations in education for diverse student bodies.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

Our growth, namely the College Park District with the new sports arena and all the new restaurants, is a source of pride.

I love the culture and environment at UTA. As an instructor, I feel very supported by my department. I am proud that our University has made so much progress toward Tier One status. I am also incredibly proud that we work aggressively to embrace a wide array of students.

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A SHARED VISION

Create the relationships with local community colleges. Create bridge programs for students who want to prepare for the math and the sciences before they come on campus.

This is the toughest question. I'd like to leave this to President Karbhari as I believe he has a good idea about this.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

Some people in administration need to appreciate and understand all aspects of how students come into the University. From recruitment to sitting down in their first college class, the student is sometimes misguided.

I would change the perception that we are a commuter college.

I won't say which college I'm in, but our college is in no way a meritocracy. Instead, it is completely ruled by a dean who constantly plays the game of personal politics and appears to strive to hire the most compliant people possible. There is a reign of terror and vengeance in my college.

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OUR REPUTATION

The University is known for its diversity, cutting-edge research, nursing, and engineering.

UT Arlington's biggest strength is its faculty.

In the past, we were considered a lower-cost option for a college degree but not necessarily the first choice. Now I believe we are known for providing very desirable degrees in numerous fields and for being more involved with the Arlington community.

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ECONOMIC IMPACT

We can maximize our economic impact by maintaining close relationships with area industries, participating in service learning, sharing resources, and internships.

Continue to attract top-notch faculty who in turn will attract motivated top-tier students. I also feel that the University should continue to promote community service learning. I expect that most grads stay in North Texas and their expertise can help North Texas flourish.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

Personally, what I love about UTA is that it's a university that's trying to go places. The push to Tier One is the reason I came here. I love being part of the underdog that's moving forward.

Our science faculty have received large grants for topics that range from genomes to ecosystems. We have very successful faculty doing cutting-edge, timely research.

As an alum of the University, I am most proud of the way that the school has changed the image of being a commuter school to a university that caters to the students without sacrificing the qualities of a good education.

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FOCUS ON STUDENTS

We need to be innovative in new program development and embrace interdisciplinarity so our students will be well prepared for their futures.

We need to really push the mentor program for new students coming in to UT Arlington. If they can have someone to go to and help them throughout their years of college, this will help them actually complete their degrees at UT Arlington.

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A SHARED VISION

We need to appreciate our deeper level of diversity in thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Our diversity is a HUGE strength if we build bridges between our differences and honor those who are different than we are.

I would improve the critical first courses that students encounter, whether they are first-year or transfer students.

1. Continue the growth of the College Park District: more housing, more restaurants, more uptown feel. 2. More students will come if there are more sports and sports scholarship opportunities. Plus the community will get more involved. 3. Hire more faculty and staff for each department.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

I would do more to reverse the trend of de-emphasizing the role of the arts and humanities in a college education.

We need to continue to work on our culture of giving back to the University. It's not a tradition we currently instill in our students, so it's a harder message to convey once they become alumni. But we are working on this in our office and look forward to seeing the shift in culture.

Our location and history have brought us one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation. We should leverage this opportunity by focusing on how our education and research activities can serve to improve our urban economy, environment, and culture.

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

1. Increase the graduation rate. 2. Encourage students to study abroad. 3. Establish an extension campus in a foreign region such as Mexico, Central, or South America.

We need better distance education. We have the opportunity to reach more of the masses if we would grow this area of higher education.

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BUILDING COMMUNITY

We need to do a better job of communicating what we do and what we have to offer to the region.

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IDENTIFYING PEERS

We should aspire to our own Tier One university. What works for other institutions can be incorporated into our plan if appropriate, but we shouldn't emulate anyone else; we are unique.

Given the growth pattern, I believe Tier One schools in the University of California System could be good role models for us. Among them, I would say UCLA due to its urban location.

The University of Wisconsin has a successful research commercialization program and is integrated into the region.

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A SHARED VISION

Schools and colleges are not independent entities. I would be very pleased if they could put aside the isolationist attitude and wake up and work together. Cooperation is essential to success.

Research has to grow and grow big. We need to find the best of the best researchers and go after them, make them part of our team. If we want a world-class institution, we must bring the best and the brightest and not hold back.

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OUR REPUTATION

I think we're most admired for diversity, engineering, and science (especially physics and chemistry).

People recognize UT Arlington for its diversity and for its excellent engineering and nursing programs.

I feel that we are best known for our College of Engineering. When I say that I work for the University, I hear that's a great school for engineers.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

UTA does an excellent job of embracing diversity.

UT Arlington has a very dedicated staff who truly cares about the University's success.

As faculty member, I am proud of educating many first-generation college students on our campus. When I often see them make a drastic transition through their education at UTA, I feel very proud of it.

Student Responses

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FOCUS ON STUDENTS

Architecture and well thought out urban design create a sense of place.

We need more study spaces around UTA.

I believe that one way to improve the student experience here at UT Arlington would be spending more than two years in the actual career and spending less time in core classes, like English and history, for example.

We need parking lots—lots and lots of parking lots.

The student experience actually demonstrates the functionality of the University. Students should be given more opportunity for leadership. For courses, there should be tests and quizzes in limited amounts. This will allow the student to concentrate on the subject in depth.

UT Arlington needs to improve the frequency of the shuttles and also their routes.

We could look at getting a football team. I know your approach is to have other sports supported first, but that is never going to work!

With the large number of first-generation students on campus, I believe it would be beneficial to have dedicated staff members in place to focus on this population and help these students through their UTA experience.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

I would improve the services provided by the Career Center.

We need more school spirit.

I believe alumni involvement and presence on campus is a must in order to instill the culture of pride and giving back to our University. UTA alumni must become a well-known force that the students respect and, one day, hope to become part of.

UTA safety should be seriously dealt with.

The administration needs to pay more attention to the arts.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

Having lived in Arlington for the past 17 years, I am proud of how far UT Arlington and the city of Arlington have come through their partnership.

The professors are highly experienced and equipped in their field of study in order to teach students.

I want to thank you for building nursing rooms into buildings at the University. I used some of the rooms and they were helpful. It is a feature that is often overlooked in public settings. I am appreciative for this feature at the University.

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OUR REPUTATION

We are best known for our diversity. Many schools have to huddle students together when taking pictures to try and appear diverse. UTA doesn't need to do that. Take a picture anywhere and you'll see people from the four corners of the earth and all walks of life.

UT Arlington is known for being a quality, affordable university with great engineering, nursing, social work, and other disciplines. The multicultural aspect it provides is a valuable asset that is embraced and helps strengthen the campus fabric. It's a major economic catalyst for DFW and Texas as a whole.

I think internationally UTA is best known for its electrical engineering and computer science and engineering programs and admired for its diverse population of international students.

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A SHARED VISION

I would start recruiting students from outside the state of Texas.

Alumni Responses

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FOCUS ON STUDENTS

Create more reasons to stay on campus and connected after graduation—most notably through fun and enduring memories.

Leadership must be more intentional about connecting students, especially those from unique communities, with mentors in the community to ensure that students are successful.

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OUR REPUTATION

UTA is best known for its engineering program.

Nationally, UT Arlington is known for its College of Engineering. I believe that UT Arlington is known internationally as a welcoming and inexpensive place to get a good American education.

I think of science and engineering, but many of my colleagues would say nursing. Internationally, we're known for cultural diversity

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

What about developing a totally online Ph.D. program?

More online classes would be helpful and welcoming for older students as well as younger ones. This might mean more flexible evening classes for students with full-time jobs, or flex schedules, where half the class is online and the other half is in the classroom.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

I cherish the experience of walking across our beautiful, shaded campus. As a next step, I look forward to an improvement of the Library quad to become a central, green gathering space and a symbolic heart of the campus, complete with an iconic campanile that rings throughout the campus.

My colleagues from outside the University have changed their perceptions about UT Arlington. People now say, "Your University is going places." They want to be involved. I'm convinced that all the fine work being done has made this occur. It makes me proud to represent this institution in our community.

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IDENTIFYING PEERS

UTA should strive to be more like Stanford, which has excellent educational programs without the Ivy League elitism.

We should emulate MIT. They focus on integrating education with research. They have little emphasis on sports teams and more on the whole student body.

I'm not interested in UTA emulating any other university. We don't need to be a clone of anyone else. I think what we offer is unique, and we should strive to become a university that fills a void that other universities can learn from.

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EFFECTING CHANGE

Bring back football. It's a trivial aspect of higher education, but in the end it's not.

Bring football back.

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SENSE OF PRIDE

I am most proud of how the University has transformed itself from being a university comprised of off-campus students to being a thriving on-campus community with exceptional students and faculty. Our focus on research accomplishments and teaching innovation are areas of which I am also proud.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to attend UTA and the scholarships that paid for part of my education. The combination of financial aid and affordability let me complete my degree, despite financial hardships in my family at the time.

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BUILDING COMMUNITY

Grow its business alumni network and establish a more intentional Maverick-to-Maverick interaction and job placement