Brownsville mayor discusses campus improvements
Brownsville Mayor, John Cowen, speaks about new additions to the UTRGV Brownsville Campus Wednesday night at the TSC Performing Arts Center. Eduardo Rodriguez/Pulse
Mayor John Cowen announced Wednesday UTRGV is pursuing multiple efforts to lessen commutes to Edinburg from Brownsville students, including the potential purchase of more land to offer more classes.
During the State of the City Address at the TSC Performing Arts Center Cowen stated UTRGV is actively working to acquire 60 acres, with the option to gain additional acreage on the north side of the city.
The expansion is pending approval from the UT System Board of Regents.
UTRGV has also added more than 3,000 new student seats at the Brownsville campus for the Fall 2026 semester.
“I think it’d be pretty cool if there was an expansion of the land because it’s kind of limited,” UTRGV marketing junior Lesia Garcia said.
Cowen said Brownsville students will no longer have to travel to Edinburg to finish their four-year civil and mechanical degree.
Santiago Rojas, UTRGV biology junior, said “More classes, more opportunities for students to enroll and more of everything.”
The university is also in the development phase to offer an architecture degree for Vaqueros.
“This gives our students the opportunity to learn, grow and earn their degrees right here at home while reducing the need to travel to the Edinburg campus,” Cowen said.
The UT System Board of Regents are set to meet on May 20-21 to discuss future improvements, such as the 60 acres expansion.
“[The city is] working to make sure students choose Brownsville, stay in Brownsville and succeed in Brownsville,” Cowen said.
