Cowley reflects on UTA’s momentum, looks to future
As she delivered her final State of the University address Thursday, University of Texas at Arlington President Jennifer Cowley reflected on a tenure marked by growth in research, student success and community impact while outlining a vision for UTA beyond her presidency.
Speaking before faculty, staff, students and community members at Texas Hall, Dr. Cowley highlighted the new “Blazing Paths, Building Futures” campaign, using a snapshot of a typical day on campus to illustrate the University’s impact.
“On any given day, our campus might host preschoolers learning about the stars, retirees discussing literature and high school students learning about personal finance from business majors,” she said. “That’s what an engaged University looks like. It is about understanding the places we anchor, the people we can impact and the history that shaped us.”
The momentum Cowley highlighted is visible across the institution, from new academic and research initiatives to the launch of flag football to more than $30 million in donor support, the second-largest fundraising total in UTA’s history.
Campus growth
Strengthening community partnerships and growing UTA’s footprint within the region have been major priorities during Cowley’s presidency. A key example is UTA West, a new campus being built on the western edge of Fort Worth in Parker County that is scheduled to open in 2028.
“It is more than a new campus. It is a statement about who we are and where we are going,” Cowley said. “It reflects our belief that opportunity should expand as our region grows. That higher education should meet students where they are. And that the life-changing experience of a UTA education should be within reach of even more Texans.”
Cowley noted other developments across campus, including major renovations of the University Center and Life Sciences Building, a new disc golf course at Doug Russell Park and future projects such as reimagining the Library Mall with more green space.
Research impact
A decade after earning the R1 designation from the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education, UTA continues to expand its research impact.
Cowley noted that the number of federally awarded research grants received by UTA increased 19% over the last year, which she called “extraordinary given the challenges around grants.”
“What is particularly noteworthy is that this growth was driven by research competing for larger, more ambitious opportunities,” she said.
Cowley highlighted several examples of UTA’s growing research impact, including:
- Social work professors Noelle Fields and Ling Xu translating research into better care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and support for their caregivers.
- College of Engineering Professor Habeeb Olufowobi leading a Genesis Mission team developing trusted AI for some of the nation’s most advanced research environments.
- UTA Libraries being invited to apply for membership in the Association of Research Libraries.
Student success
Cowley highlighted examples of students applying classroom knowledge in meaningful ways, from art student Kimy Leonard creating a World Cup-themed mural for a local Brazilian steakhouse to Kiley Vaughan serving as CEO of the new student-run Saxby’s café in the bookstore.
“At UTA, learning isn’t limited to the lab or the classroom,” Cowley said. “We believe students learn best when they apply their knowledge to real problems, real organizations, real communities.”
Cowley also highlighted donors who are creating meaningful learning experiences, including Jana Harris and Jenise Cox of Harris Packaging, whose endowment supports students competing in packaging design competitions.
“These are just a few examples of our community coming together to support our future,” Cowley said.
Final words
Cowley closed her address by thanking the faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners who helped shape the University’s success during her presidency.
“The accomplishments we celebrate today are not the destination. They are milestones on a much longer journey,” she said. “Those dreams belong to our entire University. Every achievement we celebrate today is another step toward making those dreams real.
“And they are becoming reality because thousands of people choose every day to make them so. All of us. Every faculty member. Every staff member. Every student. Every alumnus. Every donor. Every community partner.
“That is what it means to blaze paths. And that is how we build futures.”
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.