UTA WEST NEWS AND UPDATES

MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025

Greetings,

As we welcome the start of the fall semester at UTA, things are continuing to heat up out west. We have several updates to share, including exciting new workforce training and professional development opportunities occurring in west Fort Worth and Parker County.

Wayne Atchley, vice president for regional campuses, and Zan Prince, chairman of First Bank Texas. Adult learners participate in training courses at First Bank Texas and the UTA West Office

Workforce Development Out West

As part of our goal of expanding our community impact in western DFW, UTA is working with industry partners to offer professional training courses in the area that will benefit residents and businesses for years to come.

Last week, the Division of Extension and Extended Campus (EEC) kicked off its programming for adult learners with hands-on training at the UTA West Office in Willow Park and First Bank Texas.

These courses—designed for construction and utility workers, safety managers, public works employees, and contractors—expand access to career-focused education in a county that is experiencing growth in industries like health care, construction, public safety, and other sectors that need a steady pipeline of trained professionals.

"UTA West is proud to support the training programs led by Extension and Extended Campus, which are helping to meet the workforce needs of today while preparing Parker County and west Fort Worth for the opportunities of tomorrow," says Wayne Atchley, vice president for regional campuses. "These efforts reflect our commitment to expanding access to education and creating new pathways for career advancement. As UTA West grows, we will continue to partner with local industries and communities to ensure that our region has the skilled professionals it needs to thrive."

Read the full story.

HUB Subcontracting Outreach Event

UTA West will host a historically underutilized business (HUB) outreach event at the Willow Park Event Center Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 2-4 p.m. Attendees will get a detailed overview of upcoming subcontracting opportunities for the construction of the first UTA West academic building. Trade packages include survey, layout, and project photography; site support services; final clean; turnkey concrete; drilled piers; masonry and stone; laboratory casework and equipment; roofing; doors, frames, and hardware; electrical; security; and landscape.

UTA Training Air Force Reservists in Fort Worth

Earlier this month, EEC delivered a customized training session at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) in Fort Worth. The event marked the beginning of a new professional development partnership aimed at supporting voluntary training sessions during drill weekends.

Led by UTA’s expert trainers, the session was tailored to be highly relevant to the unique experiences and roles of reservists. The response from both leadership and attendees was overwhelmingly positive.

This initiative is part of NAS JRB Fort Worth’s broader effort to partner with universities in delivering engaging workshops on key development areas identified by the Department of the Air Force. Historically conducted internally, these sessions will now benefit from the expertise of higher education institutions to enrich the learning experience.

Another session is scheduled for September, with more to follow. UTA West looks forward to expanding this collaboration and continuing to support the professional development of those who serve our nation.

UTA News Updates

Data from the UT System Smartbook reaffirmed that UTA baccalaureate graduates working in Texas earn the highest median first-year wages among all UT System academic institutions.
Earlier this month, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved more than $5 million in funding through its Nursing Shortage Reduction Program for UTA to expand its efforts to address the critical nursing shortage in Texas and across the nation.
An engineering faculty member received a prestigious national award to integrate advanced sensing and AI to monitor and optimize the additive manufacturing process for metamaterials—engineered materials with mechanical and other properties that are not found in nature.
Flooding expert Nick Fang testified at a joint hearing of the Texas Senate and House committees on disaster preparedness and flooding, offering guidance on how to design, implement, sustain, and operate an effective statewide flood warning system.