Boswell: Harlingen is getting a general education university campus

HARLINGEN, Texas - Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell says his city now has its first general education university campus, thanks to a unique partnership between the local school district and UTRGV.Harlingen CISD and UT-Rio Grande Valley are developing an early college high school where students will take courses that go towards a university degree.On behalf of the City of Harlingen, Boswell signed an agreement with UTRGV and HCISD to donate seven acres of land for the project. The market value of the land is around a million dollars, Boswell said. “It is absolutely fair to say we have a university, UTRGV in Harlingen. It is significant,” Boswell told the Rio Grande Guardian. “It is not just an early college campus. It is a general education campus of UTRGV. For the first time we have a dedicated UTRGV general campus. It is a university presence that we have never really had before.”Boswell was one of three VIPs to speak at the tri-agency signing ceremony. Another was UT System Regent Nolan Perez, a physician from Harlingen. In his remarks, Perez said something special is happening in Harlingen and it is being noticed around the state of Texas. Boswell said he liked what Perez had to say.“I agree with him. Something special is happening the city of Harlingen. In particular we have formed some really great partnerships with the school district and also with UTRGV.Boswell said broad community support is important for both public education and higher education. “If we are not engaged and trying to grease that wheel, I think we miss out on opportunities. So, we have been very proactive in trying to see more development with UTRGV. But also to strengthen our partnership with our public schools.”Asked what the new early college campus means for the young people in his community, Boswell said:“For the residents of our community to get on public transportation, to come to this campus, do their first and second year of college before they get out of high school and then continue and complete a university degree right here in the same place without every having to leave the city limits of Harlingen, it is a great opportunity.”Boswell said the fact that UTRGV is offering tuition free programs for families earning less than $70,000 a year will make the new campus even more special.“It just provides so much more access to higher education and strengthening our workforce and getting a more educated workforce in our community so it is just very positive for everyone involved.”This podcast features the remarks made Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell, UT-Rio Grande Valley President Guy Bailey, and UT System Regent Nolan Perez from the podium. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.