Students walking around campus can see the new buildings taking over the UTEP skyline.
New additions to the campus like the Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center (AMAC) and Texas Western Hall (TWH) are making a new meaning for future Miners.
Senior Associate Vice President of Business Affairs, Guadalupe Valencia shares that both construction projects are on schedule and remaining within budget. UTEP first broke ground on the AMAC back in August. 2022, and according to Valencia the building is set to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
The AMAC will provide access to state-of-the-art technologies that students can use that help benefit their future careers. Dean of the College of Engineering Kenith Meissner, Ph.D., stated in a 2022 UTEP press release that the AMAC building will benefit not only students but the entire region.
“Building on the success of the W.M Keck Center and the Aerospace center, the research capacity added by the AMAC building will not only benefit manufacturing and aerospace research but will also expand our innovative translational and entrepreneurial activities, driving strong regional economic growth,” said Meissner.
Valencia shared that Texas Western Hall is set to be complete within the first quarter of 2026. TWH is set to replace the Liberal Arts Building, one of the oldest buildings at UTEP. The new establishment will comprise of modern learning spaces for students.
While the majority of students had the summer off, construction workers kept up with construction for both projects. Valencia shared what progress had been completed while Miners were on break.
“We started to have the structure, most of the columns and the floor plans were completed,” said Valenica. “The structure is comprised of cast in place concrete, so that’s what happened with Texas Western Hall and the Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center we had the exterior facade completed and then we continued to do the interior build out.”
While fresh facilities are on the come up, early buildings on campus like the Fox Fine Arts Building will finally begin to see some remodeling.
“We’ve begun remodeling the Fox Fine Arts Building,” said Valencia. “We’ve completed about four of the 30 high traffic restrooms on the art and music side. So far as part of the 2024 campus master plan, we’ve been assessing all the buildings and we’re developing a plan, a plan to prioritize across the campus.”
However, this is only the beginning of UTEP upgrades. Future projects like a new student housing complex will be constructed to enhance on-campus living and expand recruitment beyond the El Paso region.
Between Sept. 16 through Sept. 19 the student body decides the fate of a future new and improved Union Building. Voting will take place though MineTracker.
UTEP student Sophia Guerrero shares her excitement for the completion of these UTEP projects but is upset that she won’t be able to experience these facilities since she is set to graduate this fall.
“I love architecture, and I am happy to see campus improvements, especially when a new building seems top notch,” said Guerrero. “I just don’t think I’ll be able to actually witness the final look of the buildings since I graduate this December. However, I am excited for future Miners to experience the new upgrades.”
With all the new upgrades, students and faculty become more eager to take advantage of the opportunities that these new facilities welcome in.
“I think these projects are definitely going to be part of enhancing the learning experience for students, including collaborations,” said Valencia. “I think these state-of-the-art facilities are really going to do that for us and I’m excited about that for sure. I think students will be happy with the results of the collaborative learning environments. Faculty, staff and students and the fact that it’s also going to engulf the current Bhutanese architecture is going to be really neat.”
Marco Hinojosa is the audience and engagement editor and may be reached at [email protected]
