Educating the RGV: The Establishment of the Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen
By Luis M. Salinas
The Texas A&M University System provides students in the Rio Grande Valley with access to a top-tier education through the establishment of a satellite campus designed to drive economic development and cultivate a skilled workforce in a region that has historically faced limited educational opportunities and resources. The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen plays a vital role in the region’s growth by offering accessible, high-quality academic programs aligned with local workforce needs. This campus not only promotes student success and economic advancement but also strengthens the broader community. It enables students to earn a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University without leaving the Rio Grande Valley.
This exhibit explores the historical milestones that contributed to the expansion of higher education in South Texas, the creation and development of the Higher Education Center at McAllen, its academic programs, and its impact on the region. It also examines whether Texas A&M University has achieved the original goals envisioned by the establishment of its satellite campus.
Shaping Higher Education in South Texas
To understand where we are today and how far we’ve come, we must first recognize the historical events that brought us to this moment. In 1987, organizations such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) advocated for more equitable funding for South Texas’s public four-year institutions. They did this through legal action such as the LULAC vs Clements case which played a key role in the eventual passage of the South Texas Border Initiative (STBI) which brought $880 million to universities in South Texas (Carales & Doran, 2022).
The path to this funding began with a 1988 report to the Texas Legislature from the Legislative Joint Committee on Higher Education in South Texas. The report highlighted the vital role higher education plays in Texas, noting its impact on economic growth, strengthening communities, and preparing individuals to become productive citizens. It also emphasized that South Texas remained the state’s poorest region, with high unemployment rates that were even more pronounced in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area. In addition, the committee noted that public health challenges in South Texas were severe, particularly along the border, largely due to a shortage of public health resources and medical personnel. These challenges were all closely linked to the region’s limited access to educational resources (Truan et al., 1998).
South Texas Border Initiative (STBI)
Students living in the border region faced significant barriers to higher education, traveling nearly five times farther to attend college than students elsewhere in Texas. In 1989, the 71st Texas Legislature passed the South Texas Border Initiative (STBI) which helped close these gaps in funding and access to post-secondary education. Through the STBI’s $880 million in funding, institutions in the Rio Grande Valley, including the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas Pan American, received $49 million and $95 million, respectively, in state funding between 1990 and 2003 (Carales & Doran, 2022).
Another major outcome of the STBI was the integration of several South Texas universities into the state’s two largest higher education systems, the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M University System (Carales & Doran, 2022). For the purposes of this exhibit, the focus will be on the Texas A&M System expansion in South Texas, a merger initially recommended by the Legislative Joint Committee on Higher Education in South Texas.
The Texas A&M University System’s Growing Presence in South Texas
The Texas A&M system expanded its footprint in South Texas in 1989 by following the recommendation from the Legislative Joint Committee and adding Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville (“A&M System Offices,” n.d.).
Over the years, the Texas A&M System has continued to expand its presence in South Texas by adding new universities, including Texas A&M University-San Antonio in 2009, which was established to increase higher education opportunities for the underserved communities on the city’s south side (“Our History,” n.d.). Recently, the System approved the final steps for the University of Houston-Victoria to join the A&M System on September 1, 2025. Upon its transition, it was renamed Texas A&M University-Victoria, strengthening access to higher education in the region and aligning academic programs with local workforce needs (Bryan, 2025).
The Creation of the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen
Since the establishment of the South Texas Border Initiative, the Texas A&M University System has made significant investments in universities throughout South Texas. However, the nearest regional public university within the Texas A&M System to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is Texas A&M University-Kingsville, which is located 70 to 150 miles away, depending on one’s exact location in the RGV. The need to leave the RGV for higher education has been a longstanding barrier and it continues to be a challenge for many students today. While the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley provides opportunities for higher education closer to home, the region remains one of the most economically disadvantaged and least educated areas in South Texas. Currently, only 14% of the RGV population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor’s degree (RGV Health Connect, n.d.).
In 2015, officials from the Texas A&M System, the City of McAllen, and Hidalgo County announced a collaborative plan to expand Texas A&M’s presence in the Rio Grande Valley by creating new higher-education opportunities for local students. The proposed facility was expected to open in 2017 with 100 students and grow to 750 within five years (Hinckley, 2015).
Local leaders expressed strong support for the initiative. Mayor Jim Darling emphasized the importance of expanding educational opportunities to encourage Valley students to pursue higher education close to home (Hinckley, 2015). Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia added, “I could not be happier to further our support for the advancement of higher education for the citizens of Hidalgo County and South Texas” (as cited in Hinckley, 2015, p. 1).
Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young highlighted the institution’s long-standing ties to the region, and Chancellor John Sharp described the long-term vision of establishing “a teaching center and ultimately a branch campus” for Valley students (as cited in Hinckley, 2015, p. 1).
In May 2016, the Texas A&M University System released a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document outlining plans for its proposed higher education center in McAllen. According to the FAQ, the center would be built on a 100-acre site within the Tres Lagos development at 6200 Tres Lagos Boulevard and would offer top-tier academic programs designed to support the Rio Grande Valley’s economic growth and address regional workforce needs. Texas A&M University planned to begin offering classes in fall 2017 and provided information on admissions, tuition, and available degree programs in the FAQ (Reyes, 2016). Reyes (2016) mentioned the university’s intention to offer academic programs in engineering, engineering technology, biomedical sciences, and agriculture and life sciences. All courses would be taught by Texas A&M faculty, and graduates would receive the traditional Aggie ring.
On September 1, 2016, the Texas A&M University System approved the construction of a 60,000-square-foot multipurpose academic building in McAllen. The facility was designed to include classrooms, laboratories, faculty and administrative offices, as well as student services and gathering spaces (Taylor, 2016). One month later, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp announced that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board had formally approved the establishment of a new higher education center in the Rio Grande Valley (Copelin, 2016). Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa praised the decision, stating that “Texas A&M’s desire to expand its presence in the Valley builds on our region’s significant economic growth and development for the benefit of all” (as cited in Copelin, 2016, p. 1). According to the announcement, classes were scheduled to begin in temporary facilities in fall 2017, with the new multipurpose academic building expected to open the following year in fall 2018 (Copelin, 2016).
Funding
The Texas A&M University System announced that Attorney General Ken Paxton confirmed the use of Permanent University Fund (PUF) bonds for the construction of the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (Copelin, 2016).
With a project budget of $40 million, the Texas A&M System has approved the construction of this state-of-the-art multipurpose academic facility. The City of McAllen is also supporting the project by issuing bonds and committing up to $10 million for construction, utilities, and infrastructure development. Additional funding will ultimately come from student tuition and fees, state appropriations based on enrolled weighted semester credit hours, special initiative funding, and targeted philanthropic donations (Reyes, 2016).
Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia expressed his enthusiasm about the use of PUF funds for the project, stating, "I couldn't be happier to continue supporting the advancement of higher education for the citizens of Hidalgo County and South Texas. With the addition of a Texas A&M campus, our region will have access to two flagship institutions supported by Permanent University Funds" (as cited in Hinckley, 2015, p. 1).
While the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen was under construction, the first cohort of 38 freshmen began classes in fall 2017. These students, all pursuing interdisciplinary engineering majors, attended classes in rented classroom space at South Texas College (Gonzalez, 2017).
The YouTube videos below highlight key milestones in Texas A&M University’s expansion into McAllen, including the official signing ceremony, the 2016 groundbreaking, and the grand opening of the Higher Education Center at McAllen in October 2018.
Personal Interviews
I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Manny Vela, the first Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Rick Margo, the inaugural Executive Director of the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM). While the full interview is available in this exhibit, the following highlights capture key insights they shared about the campus’s establishment, development, their personal experiences, and its impact on the Rio Grande Valley.
Mr. Vela explained that the creation of the HECM stemmed from the long-held vision of former Chancellor John Sharp, who aimed to expand higher education opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. He emphasized that the center has significantly benefited students by providing “the opportunity to attend a Tier 1 institution in our very own backyard, thereby offering a world-class education at a much-reduced cost” (M. Vela, personal communication, November 19, 2025).
Mr. Margo shared that he was appointed Interim Director in the summer of 2016, one year before the arrival of the first cohort. Prior to this role, he served as Director of the Office of Admissions Rio Grande Valley Prospective Student Center. His responsibilities included recruiting the inaugural class, hiring staff, and working closely with the construction team to complete the new McAllen campus. Margo noted that “the Texas A&M University HECM was established to offer students in South Texas the choice to attend a large, reputable, state, and federally Tier 1-designated university close to home” (R. Margo, personal communication, November 19, 2025).
Impact on the RGV Community
It has been just over eight years since the first cohort of students enrolled at the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM). While initial projections anticipated an enrollment of 750 students within five years, the center has continued to grow steadily. As of Fall 2025, HECM enrolls 506 students and has celebrated 118 graduates. The campus now offers ten undergraduate degree programs, and 57% of its students are first-generation college students (Hernandez, 2025).
Currently, no published data tracks where HECM graduates are employed or how they are directly impacting the Rio Grande Valley. However, the center has recently expanded its staff, adding a Senior Career Services Coordinator who will begin collecting this information as future cohorts graduate, helping determine whether Texas A&M University’s goals for the region are being met.
Even without formal data, HECM’s current students have already made a meaningful impact on the Rio Grande Valley through extensive community engagement. Each year, 50 to 100 students participate in The Big Event, a one-day service project through which they partner with local organizations such as Keep McAllen Beautiful, the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, and the Palm Valley Animal Society. Additionally, Public health students have led numerous initiatives across the region, including mental health and women’s health fairs in colonias, volunteer support at border health preparedness events, community baby showers, and many other community-centered activities (Hernandez, 2024).
What’s Next?
The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center continues to expand, most recently with the completion of the new $49.9 million Texas A&M Nursing Education and Research Building. The 61,000-square-foot facility will house the College of Nursing as well as the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. According to Ernest Aliseda, Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, this investment reflects a commitment to the region and creates pathways for local students to learn and lead in the Rio Grande Valley. He emphasized the ongoing nursing shortage and noted that training nurses locally will strengthen clinical partnerships and enhance the region’s overall health care capacity (Zapata, 2025).
Additionally, Texas A&M Agrilife Research received approved from the Texas A&M University Board of Regents to open a research center at the McAllen campus. This center will focus on addressing local health and dietary needs, improving agricultural productivity in low-water environments, and enhancing the biosecurity of food systems in the RGV. This collaboration will not only meet the region’s specific needs but will create student-centered spaces that support the growth of campus enrollment (Saldana, 2025).
The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen is not only a hub for academic excellence but a catalyst for economic and social development in the Rio Grande Valley. In my current role as a Program Coordinator at this satellite campus, I hope to continue preparing the next generation of leaders who will drive meaningful progress in our region. Through my work, I aim to advance the broader mission of Texas A&M University by expanding opportunities for all students, regardless of background, and by empowering them to make lasting contributions to the RGV community and beyond.
References
Carales, V.D., & Doran, E. E. (2022). The pursuit of equal educational opportunity: A historical analysis of the South Texas/Border Initiative. Educational Policy, 36(5), 1162-1187.
Truan, C., Cavazos, E., Barrientos, G., Caperton, K., Parker, C., Tejeda, F., Uribe, H., Zaffirini, J., Delco, W., Moreno, A., Patterson, P., Rangel, I., Smith, R., & Watkins, G. (1988). Legislative Joint Committee on Higher Education in South Texas. Texas Legislature. https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/interim/70/ed84s.pdf
A&M System Offices. (n.d.). The Texas A&M University System. Retrieved on November 12, 2025, from https://www.tamus.edu/system/about/
Bryan, C. (2025, August 28). Regents Welcome Texas A&M University-Victoria into the Texas A&M University System. AM System News. https://news.tamus.edu/regents-welcome-texas-am-university-victoria-into-the-texas-am-university-system/
RGV Health Connect. (n.d.). Education Data for Region: Rio Grande Valley. https://www.rgvhealthconnect.org/demographicdata?id=281259§ionId=938
Hernandez, Y. (2023, October 20). Higher Education Center at McAllen marks five year anniversary. Texas A&M Stories. https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2023/10/20/higher-education-center-at-mcallen-marks-five-year-anniversary/
Hinckley, S. (2015, September 15). Texas A&M Signals Intent to Expand in McAllen. Texas A&M Stories. https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2015/09/15/texas-am-signals-intent-to-expand-in-mcallen/
Our history. (n.d.). Texas A&M University San Antonio. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from https://www.tamusa.edu/about-us/history.html
Reyes, D. (2016, May 15). Texas A&M publishes fact sheet about McAllen Higher Ed Project. Rio Grande Guardian. https://riograndeguardian.com/stories/texas-am-publishes-fact-sheet-about-mcallen-higher-ed-project,8169
Taylor, S. (2016, September 2). Texas A&M System approves conceptual plans for new McAllen academic building. Rio Grande Guardian. https://riograndeguardian.com/stories/texas-am-system-approves-conceptual-plans-for-new-mcallen-academic-building,8437
Copelin, L. (2016, October 21). Texas A&M Earns Approval for Higher Education Center in McAllen. A&M System News. https://news.tamus.edu/texas-am-earns-approval-for-higher-education-center-in-mcallen/
Thomas, C. (2016). Minutes of The Meeting of The Board of Regents. https://assets.system.tamus.edu/files/bor/pdf/Minutes/Regular/2016/2016-09-01%20final.pdf
Copelin, L. (2016). Attorney General: PUF Bonds Available for McAllen Center. The Texas A&M University System. http://provost.tamu.edu/initiatives/NewsReleasereFunding.pdf
Gonzalez, R. (2017, September 23). Special report: Are aggies being manufactured in McAllen Texas?. Texas Border Business. https://texasborderbusiness.com/special-report-aggies-manufactured-mcallen-texas/
CBS 4 News Rio Grande Valley. (2015, September 15). Texas A&M Campus in McAllen [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrgQvsm_h2s
CBS 4 News Rio Grande Valley. (2016, December 15). Texas A&M Groundbreaking in McAllen [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpW_UvD_x14
KEVO. (2018, October 25). Texas A&M Officially Dedicated in McAllen [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW_l_3CudO0
Hernandez, Y. (2025). Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen Fact Sheet.
Mega Doctor News. (2025, November 24). Public Health Students Lead Three Events in the RGV. https://megadoctornews.com/public-health-students-lead-three-events-in-the-rgv/
Hernandez, Y. (2024, April 19). Texas A&M-McAllen students lead mental health-focused events in Rio Grande Valley Colonias. Texas A&M Stories. https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2024/04/19/texas-am-mcallen-students-lead-mental-health-focused-events-in-rio-grande-valley-colonias/
Zapata, O. (2025, October 22). Texas A&M McAllen nearing completion of new $49.9m nursing building. MyRgv. https://myrgv.com/local-news/2025/10/22/texas-am-mcallen-nearing-completion-of-new-49-9m-nursing-building/