UTEP News | Updates from The University of Texas at El Paso

Commencement Ceremonies to Celebrate Largest Fall Graduating Cohort

The University of Texas at El Paso will host four in-person Commencement ceremonies this weekend at the Don Haskins Center to honor more than 2,900 fall and summer 2025 ��ֱ��s and degree candidates, including the largest fall-only cohort of ��ֱ��s – 2,280 – in the history of the University.

Exceptional AI, Computer Science Educators Honored by UTEP College of Education

EL PASO, Texas (Dec. 10, 2025) – Six outstanding educators were recognized Tuesday evening by the Hopper-Dean Center of Excellence for K-12 Computer Science Education. The educators were named the 2025-26 Hopper-Dean K-12 Fellows and Scholars by The University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Education.

UTEP Names Jesse Pisors Vice President for Institutional Advancement

EL PASO, Texas (Dec. 2, 2025) — The University of Texas at El Paso has named Jesse Pisors, Ed.D., as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Pisors was most recently president at Pasco-Hernando State College in Florida and was previously Vice President for University Relations and Advancement for Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

UTEP Researcher Finds Potential New Treatment for Aggressive Ovarian Cancer

Scientists at The University of Texas at El Paso have found a promising new target in the fight against high-grade serous carcinoma, an aggressive form of ovarian cancer. Less than 50 percent of women survive five years after diagnosis, according to the team.

UTEP Percussion Ensemble Wins National Title at Collegiate Competition

The University of Texas at El Paso Percussion Ensemble has earned national acclaim after winning the collegiate category of the Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition (CCPEC) at the 2025 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). The victory marks a significant milestone for UTEP’s Department of Music.

Government of Mexico Presents the 'Ohtli' Award to UTEP President Heather Wilson

EL PASO, Texas (Nov. 21, 2025) – At a ceremony last night, the Consul General of Mexico, Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de León, presented the Ohtli Award to Heather Wilson, president of The University of Texas at El Paso, for her leadership and contributions to the Mexican and Mexican-American community in the field of education.

UT System Regents Approve Construction of New $108M Student Housing Complex at UTEP

This week, The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the construction of a new $108 million student housing complex at The University of Texas at El Paso. The approval comes after high demand for more housing on campus; UTEP housing has been at 100% capacity for the last four consecutive years.

UTEP Names Joseph Roth Associate Vice President for National Security Programs, Classified Research

The University of Texas at El Paso has named Joseph “Joe” Roth as Associate Vice President for National Security Programs and Classified Research. In this role, Roth will lead efforts to expand UTEP’s world-class research and innovation enterprise with a special focus on space, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and national security.

UTEP Dedicates Terrace to Paso del Norte Health Foundation in Honor of 30-Year Partnership Advancing Regional Health

EL PASO, Texas (Nov. 6, 2025) – To commemorate the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s 30th anniversary and recognize its commitment to improving community health, The University of Texas at El Paso hosted a dedication ceremony honoring the foundation’s partnership and shared mission to build a healthier region.

UTEP Dinosaur Discovery Extends Known Range of Ancient Species

A dinosaur fossil discovery by a researcher from The University of Texas at El Paso may expand the known range of a species that roamed the Earth approximately 115 million years ago.

Two UTEP Faculty Receive Prestigious Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards

EL PASO, Texas (Oct. 28, 2025) – The University of Texas System Board of Regents has honored two distinguished faculty members at The University of Texas at El Paso with the 2025 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, one of the highest recognitions of excellence in education across the UT System.

Foster Foundation Creates $5 Million Matching Commitment for UTEP Law School

EL PASO, Texas (Oct. 23, 2025) — The Paul L. Foster Family Foundation has established a $5 million dollar-for-dollar matching grant to support the establishment of a new law school in El Paso. UTEP President Heather Wilson announced the funding at a meeting of the El Paso Bar Association today, encouraging the legal community to join Foster in his support for a law school to serve the region.

UTEP Social Work Program Expands Mental Health Care Access

EL PASO, Texas (Oct. 21, 2025) – The University of Texas at El Paso is responding to mental health care shortages in the border region with a new initiative that strengthens the local mental health workforce while removing barriers that prevent aspiring clinicians from completing their licensure.

UTEP Raises $41.5 Million in FY25, Topping $40M for Fourth Year in A Row

More that 6,428 donors gave $41,558,827 to support the mission of The University of Texas at El Paso during UTEP’s 2025 Fiscal Year, which ended August 31. This is the fourth year in a row that giving to UTEP has topped $40 million.

UTEP Awarded $500,000 Grant to Protect Nuclear Plants with AI-Driven Cybersecurity

EL PASO, Texas (Oct. 16, 2025) – The University of Texas at El Paso has received a grant from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to support pioneering work to harness artificial intelligence and strengthen cybersecurity for nuclear power plants.

City of El Paso, UTEP Strengthen Partnership to Drive Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Innovation, Expanding High-Quality Jobs

EL PASO, Texas (Oct. 14, 2025) ― The El Paso City Council approved a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an Interlocal Agreement with The University of Texas at El Paso to jointly advance the region’s aerospace and defense manufacturing capabilities as part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC).

UTEP Study Reveals How Financial Pressure Shapes NFL Officiating

EL PASO, Texas (Oct. 8, 2025) – A new study from The University of Texas at El Paso has uncovered how financial incentives may subtly shape officiating decisions in one of America’s most iconic institutions: the National Football League. By analyzing more than 13,000 penalty calls from 2015 to 2023, researchers found that postseason officiating has disproportionately favored the Patrick Mahomes–era Kansas City Chiefs, coinciding with their rise as one of the NFL’s most marketable franchises.

UTEP Receives $1.1 Million Gift from The Hospitals of Providence to Strengthen Nursing Workforce

EL PASO, Texas (Oct. 2, 2025) – The University of Texas at El Paso’s College of Nursing will bolster its efforts to alleviate the region’s ongoing nursing shortage thanks to a $1.1 million gift from The Hospitals of Providence and Tenet Healthcare Foundation.

El Paso Computes: UTEP, City, EPISD Team up to Teach El Paso Kids Coding, Artificial Intelligence

Children throughout the city will soon be learning foundational artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data literacy skills thanks to a new partnership between UTEP, the City of El Paso and El Paso Independent School District (EPISD).

UTEP Geologist Earns Grant to Map the Moon, Prepping Astronauts for Landing

In 2027, NASA plans to land two astronauts on the south pole of the moon for the first time in history. The weeklong mission aims to further lunar exploration and scientific discovery. However, high-quality, modern maps of the south pole — which can help make the mission a success — currently do not exist.

UTEP Invites Friends, Family to Celebrate Homecoming 2025

The University of Texas at El Paso invites alumni, students, faculty, staff, fans and their families to attend Homecoming celebrations Sept. 21 - 27. Homecoming Week kicks off with the Miner Dash and includes a pep rally, reunions and a tailgate party, culminating in the football game against Louisiana Tech.

City Of El Paso Reports Utep’s Coldplay Concert Contributed $6 Million To El Paso’s Tourism Industry

The City of El Paso and The University of Texas at El Paso are celebrating a notable economic and tourism boost during the weekend of the sold-out Coldplay concerts on June 13 and 14 at Sun Bowl Stadium.

UTEP Enrollment Surpasses 26,000 for First Time in History

The University of Texas at El Paso surpassed 26,000 students enrolled for the first time in its history. Based on UTEP’s official census count released today, Fall 2025 enrollment stands at 26,297 – up by more than 1,200 students compared to last year’s 25,039 and beating the previous high of 25,177 set in Fall 2019.

UTEP Names Col. Brendan Gallagher Vice President for Business Affairs

EL PASO, Texas (Sept. 9, 2025) – The University of Texas at El Paso has named Brendan Gallagher, Ph.D., as Vice President for Business Affairs. In this role, Gallagher will oversee UTEP’s business, finance and facilities operations.

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