Vela: Texas A&M’s McAllen Center conducting a comprehensive master plan

MCALLEN, Texas – A comprehensive master plan currently underway at Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen could be completed by the end of the calendar year.

That is the opinion of Manuel M. (Manny) Vela, associate vice president and chief operating officer at the campus.

“We’re currently developing a comprehensive master plan that’s going to take us five, ten, 15, 20, 25, 30, years down the road. And part of that analysis or review is going to be programmatic growth,” Vela told the Rio Grande Guardian.

“We’re always going to be looking or have an eye towards what industry needs or community needs exist. And our goal here is to match those with opportunities that we create here.”

Vela said the idea of conducting a comprehensive review of the campus and its projected needs came about when he joined Texas A&M in May 2023.

“The concept, or the thought, started when I came into my role in May of 2023. I determined that we did not have a strategic plan in place. So, we kicked off our strategic planning process and that’s now evolved into what we’re calling a comprehensive master campus plan process,” Vela said.

He acknowledged that the master plan has taken some time to craft.

“It’s been a lengthy process, but this is also very important, because we want to grow, but we want to be very deliberate in our growth. We want to be pragmatic, but we also want to be responsive to the needs of the community. So, all of those dynamics are in play as we’re having our discussions.”

Asked about the stakeholders involved in the comprehensive master plan, Vela said:

“We have a lot of stakeholders, a lot of internal stakeholders, but we also have had external stakeholders with a seat at the table, giving us their thoughts and ideas related to growth here in the Rio Grande Valley.”

“It’s an immensely group of talented folks who are at the table with us right now. We’re dedicated to the future of the Rio Grande Valley. And so, the goal is to have our comprehensive master plan finished by the end of this particular calendar year.”

Anyone who visits A&M’s McAllen campus right now will see building No. 2 under construction. This will house the university’s nursing program. But Vela said the leadership team is already thinking about buildings three and four.

“We’re already talking about the design of building number three. We’re talking about the design of building number four. And so, what we’re trying to do is make sure that we lay the foundation today so that our students have the amenities that they deserve, that will better support their efforts as they’re attending Texas A&M here in the Rio Grande Valley”

Asked what buildings No. 3 and 4 will be used for, Vela said:

“We’re just in the early discussions. But the goal will be to meet student needs as priority one for both of those buildings. Then, we’ll also be needing, from a curriculum growth project perspective, the needs that exist as we continue to improve our existing programs, but also talk about additional programs here on our campus.”

The Rio Grande Guardian interviewed Vela at his college’s annual Open House. Event provides an opportunity of the community to explore the campus and learn about the academic programs and students’ resources on offer.

In the interview, Vela said he was pleased to report the campus started the current semester with 67 more students than last year.

“It means we’re concentrating on the right things. Our first priority is going to be student success, student engagement, student success, student experience. But right thereafter, we’re talking about recruitment, retention and awareness,” Vela said.

“And so, these kind of open house opportunities really go a long way in helping ensure that the folks in the Rio Grande Valley know that this is an opportunity for our kids in the Rio Grande Valley to basically attend an extension of Texas A&M College Station, but here in our own backyard. It just saves a lot of money. It’s a lot more convenient from a travel perspective, and our students will graduate and get the same degree. It’ll be the same diploma. They get to wear the same ring.”

Asked how my programs are currently offered at his campus, Vela said:

“We offer nine programs as we sit here today. Our 10th program is already in the works. As you were walking in today, I’m sure you noticed the construction of building No. 2 that will house our nursing program. The first cohort is scheduled to begin in January of 2026, and so we’ll be up to 10 programs.”

It was put to Vela that while Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen may be growing, the Valley is likely growing faster. Asked to respond, Vela said:

“That’s a great way to look at this. When I get a chance to visit with other institutions who are creating opportunities down here, what I try to impress upon them and the general public is that this isn’t about competing with anybody from an educational perspective.

“As my good friend Dr. Nolan Perez says often, we have immense talent in the Valley and in our young women and men. But we don’t yet have the opportunities to match that talent. So, until we do, we’re not near done with what our options are, our opportunities are, our challenges are.

“And so, to your point, the Valley is growing in multiple areas, multiple industries are coming in and flourishing. They’re all going to need a solid workforce. And that’s what we’re trying to do, to create that solid workforce so that we can have an impact on the economics of the Rio Grande Valley.”

Dr. Nolan Perez, a native of Harlingen, is a regent for the University of Texas System.

Vela repeated a phrase Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp is fond of saying: As goes the Rio Grande Valley, so goes Texas. And as goes Texas, so goes the United States of America.

“We meet that challenge head on. Quite honestly, I relish the opportunity to be a very small player, working with so many other people, including yourself, who understand that concept, but understand and know that we’re up to the challenge. The Valley’s going to succeed. By hook or by crook, the Valley is going to succeed. This is just one component of that success, being able to help create that solid workforce.”

The Guardian’s last question for Vela concerned Texas A&M’s commitment to the Valley. He responded:

“Texas A&M’s been in the Rio Grande Valley for 100 years now with our agricultural research initiatives, etc. So, this is just one more layer of an example from John Sharp, (Texas A&M) President Mark Welsh, of their commitment to South Texas.

“Recently, there was a groundbreaking over at the Port of Brownsville for an advanced manufacturing and research building, a $30 million building, not necessarily related to our programs here at our campus, but part of the A&M umbrella. And I love it because advanced manufacturing is huge in the Valley right now, with all the construction going on, especially at the Port of Brownsville. And so, the commitment is, to me… it’s very visible. You just need to look for it sometimes.”

Vela added: “As we continue to grow this campus, it’s another layer of commitment. And these are not inexpensive things to do. We’re very fortunate to have Senator Hinojosa, Senator LaMantia, our entire state Rep. delegation from the Rio Grande Valley that hugely support our efforts on the education side and beyond here in the Valley, not only for A&M but across the board, understanding the importance of education to the Rio Grande Valley. And so the commitment is thick, it’s deep, and it’s unwavering from Texas A&M.”

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