Higher Education in the Coastal Bend
This week, I’d like to take a look at some of the excellent higher education organizations that operate, teach, and serve our area so well. Corpus Christi and Port Aransas are home to Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, and Del Mar College. Each institution brings positive benefits to people in the Coastal Bend, the state of Texas, and throughout the country.
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC), previously Corpus Christi State University, joined the Texas A&M University system in 1989. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines and fields. The school recently added electrical engineering to its growing list of degree programs this year. TAMU-CC offers one of the nation’s top graduate nursing programs as well. The university has a strong athletics program and a burgeoning life sciences division. TAMU-CC is also growing at a rapid pace. Momentum Village is a housing project for upperclassmen students, which is estimated to be completed this summer.
Last year, TAMU-CC was selected as one of only six command centers in the nation for unmanned aerial vehicle airspace by the Federal Aviation Administration. The designation has enabled the Lone Star UAS Center (LSUASC) to conduct test flights around South Texas.
This year, the Harte Research Institute at the university was selected as a RESTORE Center of Excellence. RESTORE stands for Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States. This designation will allow Texas A&M – Corpus Christi to find and fund ways to protect and support the economic and environmental interests of the Gulf of Mexico.
In 1946, the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UT-MSI) was established as the first permanent marine laboratory on the Texas Coast. It is located in Port Aransas, Texas. With a focus on research, the Institute hosts graduate and undergraduate programs, such as Fish Physiology and Marine Biogeochemistry. The Institute has contributed groundbreaking research and scientific accomplishments, such as being the first institution to spawn redfish in captivity.
UT-MSI contributes to the community in many ways. The Visitor Center educates the public on Marine Science with exhibits and videos that depict the Texas Coast. The UT-MSI Wetlands Education Center is an outdoor facility on a marsh, with boardwalks and displays that inform the public about the local ecosystems. Guided tours are available.
UT-MSI offers a host of programs available to the public, including the Marine Science Education Film Series and Discussion, which is available every Monday and Wednesday. UT-MSI also features birding classes to children every summer.
Del Mar College, which was established in 1935, has a current enrollment of over 12,000 people, and offers a variety of associate degrees in the arts and sciences, as well as certificates of achievements. Del Mar College was named one of the Top Military Friendly colleges for two years in a row by Military Advanced Education, and is designated a “Service Members Opportunity College.”
Del Mar College offers many continuing education and career courses for the local community. Some of these classes can be applied to Continuing Education Units (CEUs). A CEU is a kind of credit that professionals can use to prove their completion of continuing education courses or initiatives. For more information visit Del Mar College.
If you would like to follow the Texas House and learn more information on news, committees or other aspects of the legislative body, you can access its website at Texas House of Representatives. The site features live streaming from the House floor, committee hearings as well as access to a number of other resources. You can also follow the the Texas Senate. The Texas Governor’s official website can be found at Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. For important information regarding transportation in the state, feel free to visit Texas Department of Transportation. Also you can visit The Texas General Land Office, and the Texas Railroad Commission.
As a reminder, the 84th Texas Legislative session began on January 13th and is currently underway. As always, I want to hear your ideas and suggestion. Your ideas and information are important forms of feedback and I hope that you will not hesitate to contact my office.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
