State Rep. Veronica Gonzales aims to push legislation to build a 100,000 square-foot complex in McAllen offering master’s and doctoral degrees, according to a press release from EdinburgPolitics.com.
Gonzales, a Democrat from McAllen, said in the press release the plan is in its preliminary stages, but she hopes to carry the measure to the House of Representatives when the Texas Legislature meets in January.
Gonzales also said the facility would offer academic resources that will focus on programs in demand by the area’s health care and trade sectors.
“They will be programs that are complimentary of the industries we have here in the Rio Grande Valley,” Gonzales said. “A lot of them will focus on hopefully health care issues and other programs that are currently not being offered [at nearby colleges].”
UT-Pan American in Edinburg offers more than 50 bachelor’s degree programs, 50 master’s degree programs and two doctoral programs.
Gonzales said she plans to meet with McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez and other community leaders Thursday to get an update on the proposal. She said she wanted to serve as the primary author of the legislation.
“I want to make sure first I understand exactly what we are looking for, and then I will be happy to file the legislation for it,” Gonzales said.
Be the first to comment on this article!