How the UT System is supporting Laredo's workforce, economy and future

On Thursday, September 30, the following op-ed by the UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken was published in the San Antonio Express-News.

South Texas is a significant foundation in Texas' economic vitality, and nowhere is that more evident than in Laredo - the busiest port in the United States.

As our nation strengthens trade ties with Mexico and South America, Laredo is experiencing unprecedented economic development and population growth, presenting a wealth of opportunities for its residents and the region at large.

Laredo stands at a pivotal moment. While a recent survey by real estate website Zumper.com ranked it as one of the most challenging U.S. cities to start a career, we see this as an opportunity to transform a new generation of Laredoans. Through degree programs from five UT institutions offered at the University of Texas Education and Research Center at Laredo, also known as the UT Center at Laredo, along with a new offer from the UT system to help local residents earn in-demand, skills-based certifications, we are fully committed to being a vital part of the solution for the challenges that accompany Laredo's growth.

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Since becoming a multi-university center in 2021, the UT Center at Laredo has served as a cornerstone of education and research in this vibrant border community. Designed to address the critical health care and educational needs of a region that has doubled in size the past 20 years, the UT Center offers programs tailored to local demands.

Five UT institutions - UTHealth Houston, UT Health San Antonio, the University of Texas Medical Branch, the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - provide a variety of health-related degrees that can be pursued locally at the UT center. Programs such as physician assistant studies, biomedical informatics, social work, occupational therapy and dental hygiene are building a new generation of health care professionals in Laredo.

Our commitment to Laredo also extends beyond health care. This fall, the UT System is introducing its Texas Credentials for the Future initiative in Laredo in partnership with the online learning platform, Coursera.

As part of the nation's most comprehensive microcredential program in higher education, participants in Laredo will have access to the career academy on Coursera, which offers more than 45 professional certificates from leading companies such as Google, IBM, Microsoft and Salesforce. Delivered at no cost, these microcredentials prepare students for advanced degrees, enhance graduates' employment prospects and help workers upskill or reskill.

Laredo's youthful population - 40% of residents are younger than 18 - is full of promise. By expanding educational offerings and focusing on skill development, the UT Center at Laredo is paving the way for these young residents to turn their aspirations into reality.

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Last year, the New York Times highlighted Laredo's extraordinary growth, predicting it will become an "even more vital component of the global economy" over the next several years. Meanwhile, the Inter-American Development Bank projects a $30 billion increase in Mexico's exports to the U.S. due to nearshoring, with an estimated 40%, or $12 billion, passing through Port Laredo.

While these changes bode well for Laredo and signify promising opportunities for all of South Texas, they also place considerable stress on the region's infrastructure. So while opportunities for Laredoans abound, there is still work to be done to ensure positive outcomes over the long term.

City and state leaders are working to modernize Laredo's infrastructure to keep pace as the region's growth continues. The UT System views this as a prime opportunity to enhance local education and training, enabling residents to address existing health care needs and meet future workforce demands.

This vision is strongly supported by Texas Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, a longtime advocate for higher education. Zaffirini authored and passed the 2021 Senate legislation that facilitated the creation of the UT Center at Laredo, with support from Rep. Richard Raymond, who sponsored and passed the bill in the House, and Rep. Tracy King.

We are committed to helping Laredo fortify the foundation for continued economic development in South Texas. This includes ensuring a brighter, healthier and more sustainable future for a growing population and city whose significance to national trade and economic outcomes will only continue to expand. We are honored to be part of it.

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