UTEP News | Updates from The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso

Spring Commencement to Celebrate More than 3,100 Graduates

EL PASO, Texas (May 14, 2026) – The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso will host four in-person Commencement ceremonies this weekend at the Don Haskins Center to honor more than 3,100 spring and summer 2026 graduates and degree candidates.

UTEP Students, Alumni Earn Goldwater, NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

From the Chihuahuan Desert to the Arctic tundra, UTEP students are conducting globally significant research — and earning national recognition for it. Five current students and recent graduates have been selected for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, two of the most prestigious and competitive scholarship programs in the country for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Doctoral Student Parikrama Sapkota Earns Prestigious Ecology Award

EL PASO, Texas (May 6, 2026) – UTEP doctoral student Parikrama Sapkota is the 2026 recipient of the E. Lucy Braun Award from the Ecological Society of America (ESA). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of ecology.

UTEP Real Estate Program Ranks Among World’s Top Ten for Research

The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso’s Woody L. Hunt College of Business is once again earning global recognition for its impact in real estate research with a top 10 ranking in the 2021–2025 Real Estate Academic Leadership (REAL) Rankings.

Significant Rise in Valley Fever Cases in El Paso Linked to Extreme Weather, Dust, UTEP Study Finds

A new study by researchers at The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso has identified a significant rise in Valley fever cases in El Paso over the past decade and found strong connections between the disease and extreme weather, wind and airborne dust.

El Paso ISD, UTEP Launch Summer Internship Program for High Schoolers

The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) is launching a new program with The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso to offer district students paid summer internship opportunities beginning this June.

UTEP All-Female Rocket Team Wins Back-to-Back Lone Star Cup Championship

The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso’s Sun City Summit Rocket Team has taken first place at the Lone Star Cup, earning its second consecutive win at the statewide competition. This year’s victory is especially notable because the team was represented by a five-member cohort composed entirely of women.

Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro, P.C. Commits Transformational $5 Million Gift to Support UTEP Law School

EL PASO, Texas (April 8, 2026) Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro, P.C. has committed $5 million to support efforts to establish a law school at The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso. The gift was announced today at a celebration with UTEP President Heather Wilson and partners James Tawney, Alejandro Acosta and Daisy Chaparro Cavazos.

UTEP Mobilizes More than 600 Volunteers to Serve El Paso Community

More than 600 volunteers from The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso came together Saturday, April 4, to support the community during its annual service day, Project MOVE (Miner Opportunities for Volunteer Experiences).

College of Education Launches New Online Doctoral Degree with Leadership Focus

EL PASO, Texas (April 2, 2026) – The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso College of Education has launched the 91Ů��’s first fully online doctoral program: the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration. The program is aimed at experienced educators who want to advance their careers, contribute to innovative, applied research and lead change in their professional workplace.

UTEP Announces 2026 Top Ten Seniors

The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso Alumni Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Top Ten Seniors award. Now celebrating its 76th year, the prestigious honor recognizes outstanding UTEP students who have distinguished themselves through academic excellence, leadership and service.

UTEP Study: Six Weeks of Boxing Training Significantly Lowers Blood Pressure in Young Adults

A new study from researchers at The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso shows that just six weeks of boxing training can significantly reduce blood pressure and improve blood vessel function in young adults with elevated blood pressure or Stage 1 hypertension.

UTEP, Workforce Solutions Borderplex Awarded Grant to Place More Students at Competitive Internships

The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso’s Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce and Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) have been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to connect more students with internships that prepare them for post-graduate careers.

UTEP Secures Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification

The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso has once again earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The designation, awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, affirms UTEP’s sustained commitment to meaningful, reciprocal partnerships that advance community-engaged teaching, research and service.

UTEP Ranked Second Most Affordable College in Texas by Research.com

EL PASO, Texas (March 12, 2026) – The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso is the second most affordable college in the state of Texas, according to new 2026 rankings by Research.com. The platform also ranked UTEP fifth best college in Texas in terms of overall quality of education, beating out Rice 91Ů��, Texas Tech 91Ů��, Texas Christian 91Ů�� and others.

3D-Printed Rattlesnake Reveals How the Rattle Is a Warning Signal

EL PASO, Texas (March 11, 2026) – A team of researchers from The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso has uncovered new evidence explaining why the rattlesnake’s rattle – one of nature’s most iconic warning signals – has persisted and proven so effective across millions of years.

UTEP Appoints Michael Martinez as Assistant Vice President for Regional Innovation & Partnerships

EL PASO, Texas (March 5, 2026) – The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso has appointed Michael Martinez, a seasoned public-sector executive and UTEP alumnus, as assistant vice president for regional innovation and partnerships, effective Jan. 5, 2026.

UTEP Unveils Plans for to Transform Arroyo into Natural Park

EL PASO, Texas (March 4, 2026) – Students at The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso will soon be able to study, socialize or just relax in a beautiful natural park located at the center of campus. UTEP President Heather Wilson and Vice President for Business Affairs Col. (Ret.) Brendan Gallagher, Ph.D., unveiled the plans for the restoration of the arroyo at a celebration event today.

UTEP Students Provide Free Tax Preparation Through Project VITA

EL PASO, Texas (March 3, 2026) – The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso is continuing its partnership with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing free tax preparation services this week to the Paso del Norte community while giving students valuable real-world experience.

UTEP Names Marc Knecht Dean of the College of Science

The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso has named Marc Knecht, Ph.D., the new dean of the College of Science. In this role, Knecht will oversee academic programs, faculty development, research initiatives and student success efforts across the College of Science, advancing UTEP’s reputation as America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. In Fall 2025, more than 3,500 students were enrolled in the college.

Why Laws Named After Tragedies Win Public Support

EL PASO, Texas (Feb. 24, 2026) – When lawmakers name bills after victims of tragedy – think Megan’s Law or the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 – public support surges, but this emotional boost may come at the expense of sound policymaking, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

UTEP Appoints George Luxbacher to Spearhead Relaunch of Mining Engineering Program

EL PASO, Texas (Feb. 23, 2026) – The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso has appointed George Luxbacher, Ph.D., to spearhead the relaunch of its Mining Engineering program. Luxbacher, whose career spans more than five decades in mining research, industry leadership and federal government service, officially joins UTEP on March 23 as a professor of practice.

UT System Board of Regents Approve $65 Million for New Student Success Center at UTEP

EL PASO, Texas (Feb. 19, 2026) – Today The 91Ů�� of Texas System Board of Regents approved $65 million in permanent university funds for the creation of a new Student Success Center at The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso.

UTEP Awarded Gold for Veterans Education Excellence

The 91Ů�� of Texas at El Paso has received the 2025 gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award (VEERA), the highest designation given by the Texas Veterans Commission. The accolade recognizes UTEP as a veteran-inclusive institution that excels in supporting military-connected students.

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