UTA President Jennifer Cowley delivered a State of the University address on September 11th, reflecting on the school’s history, highlighting successes, and acknowledging difficulties in its path forward.
The university is facing uncertainty and economic strain due to federal policy changes. The president mentioned that research grants are being cut, and international students are experiencing difficulty getting visa appointments. This has resulted in a revenue drop of $13-15.6 million from tuition this fiscal year.
However, Cowley also highlighted some positive developments. The university introduced a new financial aid program called Blaze Forward, which provides tuition support for students with need. The percentage of undergraduate students receiving Pell Grants increased to 47.5%, and the university’s freshman class reached its largest size in history.
The university has been expanding its research opportunities, including a new drone facility and a supercomputing hub. Cowley emphasized the importance of collaboration between teams from different departments to address bigger questions and conduct data-intensive research faster.
Additionally, UTA is planning to expand and upgrade its campus with $126 million in funding. The groundbreaking for UTA West took place in April, and renovations to the Life Sciences building are expected to be finished in fall 2027.
Cowley concluded by stating that “this university is always moving forward.” She praised the collective dedication of students, academics, and community members in overcoming challenges and achieving academic success.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/09/15/uta-president-talks-challenges-with-feds-recent-wins-at-state-of-the-university-address