UTPA considers McAllen campus

McALLEN - University of Texas-Pan American hopes to establish a graduate-level center within McAllen and is scouting locations for the new facility.

The move would make it easier for residents in the southern part of the county to take advanced-level UTPA courses.

"In order for us to continue to build ... we must have access to higher education," McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez said. "The closer we can get it to people, the more likely people are to take advantage of it."

Establishing the center also would help make McAllen a more attractive destination to potential residents and employers, Cortez said.

Paul Sale, UTPA's provost and vice president of academic affairs, said the center could offer courses tailored to meet the needs of companies considering moving to McAllen.

Talks of the new campus are still in the early stages, he said, but the school and city will likely finalize a preliminary agreement this month.

Sale said he views the new facility as an important collaboration between the city and university.

"It's not like we're coming in and deciding to offer programs," he said. "We're working with the city to develop programs that are of mutual benefit."

The school and city have not determined exactly which advanced-level classes will be offered, but likely contenders include courses in education, business and engineering.

Details on the location of the McAllen campus have not been finalized. It's unclear whether the school will build a new facility or lease space near Main Street and Expressway 83.

The move to open a McAllen campus follows UTPA's decision to open a new campus in Rio Grande City.

"I think what we're going to be seeing is we're going to be extending ourselves out," Sale said. "Some people think we're just an Edinburg university. We claim the Rio Grande Valley."

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