UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

Texas Coordinating Board Recognizes UT Tyler for Student Success Efforts

April 16, 2019

Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Senior Director of Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303

The University of Texas at Tyler announced today that it was recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as one of four public institutions in Texas to have shown noteworthy improvement in completions, or the number of degrees awarded, as part of the 60x30TX initiative.

60x30TX is a state plan designed to ensure that at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25 – 34 will have a certificate or degree by the year 2030. Over the last three years, UT Tyler has increased its completions in almost all of the areas the Coordinating Board monitored.

Categories in which UT Tyler demonstrated high levels of improvement compared to peers were overall completions and completions among African-American students, economically disadvantaged students, Hispanic students, and male students. Transfer graduation rates were another area of top improvement for UT Tyler.

"The University of Texas at Tyler has significantly improved outcomes for students since 2016," said Dr. David Gardner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board deputy commissioner. "The institution has made important contributions to 60x30TX, the state's strategic plan for higher education, by growing its completions by more than 500 students and closing achievement gaps. Completions increased among economically disadvantaged students by 29 percent, among African American students by 41 percent, and among Hispanic students by 60 percent over the last two years. We are pleased to recognize UT Tyler as one of the 2018 Top Improvers in six of the eight categories we examined this year, which is the most of any public university in the state."

Student success is the primary focus of the University's strategic plan, which includes supporting academic success from recruitment through to graduation.

"We appreciate this recognition by the Coordinating Board," said Dr. Amir Mirmiran, UT Tyler provost and vice president for academic affairs. "It validates all of the hard work of our outstanding faculty and staff who are committed to student success."

Last year, the Coordinating Board named UT Tyler a Star Award finalist. The Star Award recognizes exceptional contributions toward 60x30TX. This recognition cited the University's bachelor of applied arts and sciences degree program, which is an online transfer program designed for working adults seeking to complete their four-year degree for career advancement.

A member of the prestigious UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler focuses on student success and innovative research in the more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered. With more than 10,000 students, UT Tyler has facilities in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.