The monthly newsletter from UTA Provost Tamara L. Brown

Monday, December 11, 2023

As we approach the end of 2023, I want to reflect on our university community's remarkable achievements this year. Despite the ongoing challenges taking place around the globe, we have persevered, adapted, and innovated, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement.

We have made significant progress in advancing our next strategic plan, UTA 2030, under President Cowley's leadership. We have expanded access to affordable education through new scholarship programs like the Blaze Forward Program. We have also strengthened our research enterprise with increased funding for faculty positions through RISE 100 and additional graduate student funding for compensation and benefits. And we have fostered a more inclusive and engaged campus environment through various People and Culture initiatives.

As we look back on 2023, we are filled with pride in the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students. Our faculty members have continued to produce groundbreaking research and scholarship that is shaping the world around us. Our staff members have provided exceptional service and support to our students and colleagues. And our students have demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a passion for learning that will serve them well in their future endeavors.

As we move into 2024, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We will continue to build on our momentum, advancing our strategic goals and positively impacting our community. We are also committed to addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, such as the changing landscape of higher education.

Thank you for being so dedicated to our university, and I wish you a joyous and wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,

Tamara L. Brown, Ph.D.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

The University of Texas at Arlington and the City of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, located in Germany, signed an MOU to establish a program of exchange and collaboration in areas of interest and benefit to both organizations. Rothenburg is a sister city to Arlington, and their Lord Mayor Markus Naser joined Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, and Arlington City Manager and UTA Alum Trey Yelverton for the signing ceremony. The School of Architecture in CAPPA and the Department of Modern Languages in COLA are eager to begin their formal work with Rothenburg, including faculty research activities specific to the city and region and undergraduate and graduate student exchanges.

UTA has launched a Housing Scholarship program targeted at FTIC students with financial need to encourage living on campus. Funding comes from state resources that UTA received for student success. The scholarship program will aid in growing the number of FTIC students living on campus next fall.

The Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) recently celebrated its 30th Anniversary! In 1993, the 73rd Texas Legislature established CMAS at the University of Texas at Arlington. Since then, CMAS has worked hard at fulfilling its legislative mandate to be a focal point for interdisciplinary education research, publication, and public outreach activities relating to Mexican Americans.

UTA's Center for Global Academic Initiatives (CGAI) in the College of Business recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Executive MBA program in China, where it inducted another cohort of 100 students in Shanghai for 2023! Congratulations to CGAI on its success!

Associate Clinical Professor and coordinator of Honors College Undergraduate Nursing Program, Dr. Maxine Adegbola, has been selected to receive the Association of Black Nursing Faculty (ABNF) Leadership and Public Policy Mentoring Fellowship award. Dr. Adegbola was a member of the inaugural cohort.

December's suggested monthly read is from The Chronicle of Higher Education. Please take a moment to read Too Many Students Still Aren’t Finishing College, New Report Says.

Click Here or Scan the QR Code and share your thoughts and ideas as we plan for the campus of tomorrow! Your feedback will help us envision the future of the university and shape our plans.

Did you know Arlington has more than 185 historically underutilized businesses (HUB)? UTA is making a good-faith effort to increase purchases and contract awards to certified HUBs, which can be found through a vendor search or by contacting the HUB office.

Do you have an upcoming event that Provost Brown should attend or speak at? If so, send us the details! Submit a request to the Office of the Provost via the speaker form on our website and we'll let you know if she's available.

The Provost continues to host monthly office hours! The next office hours will be January 18th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in UAB Room 321. Faculty, staff, and students can drop in or sign up via email at provost@uta.edu.