UTPA president-designate visits campus

EDINBURG — The University of Texas-Pan American greeted its new president-designate Wednesday with a red carpet and the university’s award-winning mariachis.

The UT Board of Regents unanimously selected Robert S. Nelsen last month as its sole finalist for the UTPA presidency. Last week, the board appointed Nelsen to the position. He is expected to assume the post Jan. 1.

Nelsen, currently the associate vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and an English professor there, will be UTPA’s eighth president, replacing Blandina “Bambi” Cárdenas, who retired in January.

Charles A. Sorber has been the university’s interim president since February.

Nelsen will oversee a university with a $243 million annual operating budget, more than 17,000 students and more than 800 instructional faculty.

Joined by his wife Jody, UT System Chancellor Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa and UT System Regent Janiece Longoria, Nelsen addressed the UTPA community Wednesday in the 500-seat Student Union Theatre, which was packed for his address.

“I want to say thank-you to all of you,” he said. “Thank you for agreeing, for all of us, to work together … to move this institution forward.”

When first asked why he wanted the position, Nelsen said, his reason was that he wanted to help UTPA’s students achieve their academic goals and transform their community.

“As the (Rio Grande) Valley goes, so goes Texas — I’ve heard that so many times and I really believe it,” Nelsen said. “But if we don’t get it right in Texas, we’re not going to get it right anyplace. … If we don’t get it right in the Valley, we won’t get it right anyplace.”

That’s why the university needs to continue forming partnerships with industries, businesses, other educational institutions and families to ensure students’ success.

Longoria said Nelsen stood out among candidates because he spoke from the heart and articulated a very clear vision for increasing accessibility, accountability and success for the university.

The board was also impressed with his experience within the UT System and other educational systems. Nelsen previously served as vice provost at the University of Texas at Dallas and was a professor of English there. He also was a lecturer of English at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“Because of his experience, he clearly understands the central role of faculty, students and staff in the success of the university, and he respects their advice and suggestions,” Longoria said. “Robert Nelsen has the passion and the vision the University of Texas-Pan American needs now.”

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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.

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This is a corrected version of the originally posted story. The previous version misspelled University of Texas System Regent Janiece Longoria's first name and misstated her affiliation with the university.