CONGRESSMAN GONZALEZ ANNOUNCES $1.25 MILLION FOR UTRGV, ADVANCING STEM STUDIES 

McALLEN, TEXAS – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) will be receiving $1,250,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the ADVANCE Partnership: Transforming HSI STEM Departmental Climate for Faculty Success.

"Advanced manufacturing and STEM are the future," stated Congressman Gonzalez. "UTRGV continues to be at the forefront of this change, ready to educate and prepare South Texans to be leaders in these fields. I am honored to represent an institution that encourages innovation and opportunities for all. I look forward to the continued work UTRGV and our educator and staff continue to do for South Texas."

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said projects and awards like this one are critical to the university's central goals. "We are grateful to the National Science Foundation for recognizing UTRGV's efforts and dedication to success for the entire university community. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, UTRGV continues to create innovative pathways and possibilities in the STEM fields for our students and faculty. As always, we appreciate the support of Congressman Gonzalez and our other Valley legislators as we continue to build UTRGV as a university that will serve South Texas, now and well into the future."

The STEM department climate transformation focuses on equipping department chairs and their change teams with the resources needed to transform their departments' cultures into psychologically healthy workplaces for Latina and other underrepresented minority faculty. The project is designed to facilitate broader adaptation of evidence-based gender equity and systemic change strategies, resulting in more diverse and inclusive STEM academic workplaces and professions.

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