McALLEN — That makes three.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in partnership with McAllen ISD broke ground Wednesday on its third collegiate academy in partnership with area school districts.
Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremoniously kicked off construction on a new collegiate academy in McAllen.
According to UTRGV President Guy Bailey, the 65,500-square-foot facility will focus on not only medicine but also science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses.
“The goal of this facility is really very simple: We want to provide students in McAllen ISD with the best opportunities for education in the United States,” Bailey said.
He explained that the academy will help high school students get at least two years ahead in their college education.
“They will enter college as a junior,” Bailey said with pride.
The two-story facility will include state-of-the-art science labs, lecture halls and a cafeteria.
The total cost of the project is $23.5 million. The Monitor previously reported that the school district would contribute $12.5 million to the project.
District spokesperson Mark May acknowledged previous questions about the cost — previously a point of concern with at least one school board member last summer — but said the new campus is considered a benefit for the students and an investment into their future and the region’s future.
During Wednesday’s event, they introduced the 102 students that will make up the first cohort at the UTRGV-McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy when it opens in the fall of 2024.
Ruben Vega, a ninth grader at Nikki Rowe High School, was among the students selected.
“My goal is to follow in all my siblings’ footsteps, make good life choices, get a college degree and make my parents proud,” Vega said. “While we know this program will be challenging we recognize that it will help us grow into the young men and women we aspire to be.”
The director of the academy, Elizabeth Gonzalez, was also introduced during the ceremony where she expressed her excitement and determination to begin this next chapter in her career.
“Congratulations to all of you, you are taking a positive step toward your future and I am so excited to see what the future holds for us,” Gonzalez said.
To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:
Photo Gallery: Ground broken on McAllen collegiate academy set to open in fall 2024
