Brownsville adds 3,000+ seats

The City of Brownsville and UTRGV continues to work through initiatives from the Task Force of the Future, focusing on expanding academic offerings, improving student life and planning programs that meet the area’s workforce needs.

The Task Force, created through a Memorandum Of Understanding signed earlier this year, has met monthly since March to discuss strategies for enhancing UTRGV’s Brownsville campus.

 Among its priorities are reducing student travel between campuses, ensuring equitable resource distribution and strengthening UTRGV’s collaboration with the city to support local economic growth, according to university officials.

Patrick Gonzales, vice president of Marketing and Communications and spokesperson for the Task Force of the Future said one of the most significant accomplishments so far is the addition of nearly 3,500 new seats in courses for Fall 2025 in Brownsville to minimize the need for students to travel to Edinburg.

“We want to make sure that students can get their entire schedule on the Brownsville campus,” said Janna Arney, member of the Task Force of the Future.

Edna Desilos Hinojosa, an English senior, said having more classes in Brownsville makes a difference.

“Before, I had to wake up at four or five in the morning to cross from Matamoros and catch the bus to make it to a 9 a.m. class in Edinburg,” Desilos Hinojosa said. “It was exhausting. Now, with more offered here, it’s much easier.”

Carlos Ramirez, a computer engineering sophomore, said having more classes on the Brownsville campus means he has to travel less and can focus on his studies. 

“It feels like the university is finally listening to what we need in Brownsville,” Ramirez said.

Gonzales said the Task Force is also planning to expand engineering programs in Brownsville to meet the growing demand from local employers, including SpaceX and companies at the Port of Brownsville. 

Arney said the university was able to use research results to ‘create a plan to better serve the workforce needs.’

In addition to academic initiatives, the Task Force is exploring ways to enhance student life on the Brownsville campus. 

Possible future housing projects, increased student engagement opportunities, and upgraded facilities for intramural and collegiate sports are included in discussions, according to Gonzales.

He said the collaboration has also opened conversations about long-term infrastructure planning.

“It’s exactly the type of partnership you want with the city,” Gonzales said. “We’re working together to create more opportunities for students and to make sure graduates can find careers right here in Brownsville.”

The Task Force will continue to meet monthly to evaluate progress and discuss upcoming priorities.

About The Author

Dayra Gonzalez

Dayra Lizeth Gonzalez Escobedo serves as Reporter for The Rider. She is majoring in Education with a concentration in Bilingual Education. After graduation she aspires to work in a classroom environment.

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