This past year, The University of Texas at Arlington found itself, like many other higher education institutions, navigating a very challenging global pandemic. How would we ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff while keeping our students on track for success? We found the answer by staying true to our well-established strengths: ensuring access, achieving excellence, demonstrating adaptability and innovation, and standing together through it all.
That meant continuing to keep UTA a welcoming place for students from all demographics while maintaining our high academic standards and pursuing impactful, life-changing research and creative works. To that end, I am pleased to write that we welcomed our largest freshman class ever in University history. We also graduated a record number of students in 2019-20, making UTA one of the largest contributors to a high-quality workforce for all of Texas. Throughout, we’ve continued our robust research activity and maintained our progress toward Texas Tier One status.
We also made a commitment to strengthen existing and new partnerships within our community—and beyond. Through expanded and renewed external engagement, we are committed to building and maintaining vital relationships with industry, nonprofit organizations, Dallas-Fort Worth community leaders, elected officials, and our own UTA alumni. Each organization and individual serves a crucial part of the continued and future success of our wonderful institution. Moving forward, I look forward to meeting with many more of you, whether it be in person or virtually, to share the exciting things that happen daily at UTA.
In this issue of UTA Magazine, you’ll read stories centered on themes of Maverick perseverance and Maverick excellence. We’re celebrating the people—the dedicated faculty and staff, hard-working and inquisitive students, and committed and talented alumni—who make us strong, contribute to our impactful work, and enhance the school spirit that connects us all. I hope you enjoy reading each and every story, and that you feel, as I do, proud of all UTA has accomplished and excited for what is to come this year and beyond.
Go Mavs!
—Teik C. Lim, Ph.D.
President ad interim
