Dr. Kelly Quintanilla, president and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, delivered the keynote speech at her second State of the University luncheon Sept. 12 at The Island University in Corpus Christi. Courtesy photo
A sold-out crowd of more than 600 people attended the annual Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi State of the University luncheon during which President and CEO Kelly Quintanilla highlighted the institution’s commitment to every student’s success through community partnerships. Quintanilla was keynote speaker at the Sept. 12 event, her second since being named to serve as the university’s 11th president in August 2017.
“There are many ways for the community to engage with our campus,” Quintanilla said, “including offering internships to our students, increasing student scholarships, supporting our goal of becoming an Emerging Research University, hiring our outstanding alumni, following our progress in innovation, and attending our incredible events.”
Listed as substantial successes were the university’s nationally recognized academic programs, Division I athletics, innovative research, creative activity, student scholarships, new programs, and dedication to first-generation college students.
Statistics shined a spotlight on the school’s commitment to diversity: 40 percent of the 2,388 students who graduated last year were first-generation college students, 50 percent were Hispanic, and 59 percent were minorities. The school’s 30 percent Hispanic graduation rate in engineering is 300 percent higher than the national average.
“What these numbers mean is that our institution reflects the demographics of our city, not just in enrollment, but where it really counts: in graduation,” she continued. “We are proud to make education attainable for all and to raise the profile of Corpus Christi with an educated workforce.”
Quintanilla also announced the science labs will soon move from makeshift spaces to a new, $60 million Life Sciences Research and Engineering Building, slated to open this fall. With more than 60 percent of the students at The Island University attending the College of Science and Engineering, the building is a much-needed addition to keep the school on the path to its goal of becoming one of the eight universities in Texas designated as an emerging research institution.
The steps to achieving that goal include awarding 200 doctoral degrees and spending at least $45 million in restricted research, Quintanilla said. In 2017, TAMU-CC’s expenditures in restricted research rose to $17 million; it awarded 18 doctoral degrees.
