A Message From The President
DR. FLAVIUS C. KILLEBREW

EXCELLENCE! ENGAGEMENT! EXPANSION! These three powerful words are at the very core of the vision that is unfolding at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Momentum 2015 outlines the plan for moving a great University to the next level.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has experienced significant and steady growth over the past decade. While undergoing dramatic growth, the University has achieved a level of excellence. To maintain this excellence, our goal must be to nourish programs which attract nationally and internationally recognized scholars who are the best in their disciplines and who will strive to impart their wealth of knowledge to our students. Our excellence in teaching and research will be a transforming experience resulting in highly successful students and graduates. With continued progress on this pathway to excellence, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will be prepared to position itself for a role as a doctoral comprehensive institution that is recognized as the university of choice in South Texas.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will expand and intensify the level of engagement within the greater community of the Coastal Bend, our state and our nation. Our students’ education will be strengthened by opportunities for community engagement and academic-focused activities.

In addition to attracting scholars to teach and conduct research, the university must expand beyond the island as growth and demand for additional resources continue to increase. Growth projections for our undergraduate and graduate programs support this reality, that new facilities and land resources are required. Growth will be driven by the development of programs along areas of strength and opportunity. Program development will be guided by the goal of reaching doctoral comprehensive status. Beyond 2015, we will strive toward ultimately becoming a research university of the first class.

This document provides the compass by which we will chart our voyage for the next ten years. It has been painstakingly developed and formulated by our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community. Currently Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is a master’s comprehensive university as classified by the Carnegie Foundation. This document charts the course for the first destination on the journey, doctoral comprehensive institution, on a path to an ultimate goal of becoming a Research I university.

As one looks across the vast expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, the concept of depth and horizon can be overwhelming. Sailors have navigated this vast expanse utilizing specialized tools, knowledge and experience. We are embarking on a similar odyssey.

Our voyage can only be achieved by engaged faculty and staff, well-prepared and enlightened students and alumni and generous benefactors. State support of higher education has been declining as a percentage of our total budget over the last decade. That trend, for all practical purposes, will continue. The only remaining sources of funding are tuition and fees, private and research support. Support from our trusted friends and alumni and increases in federal and private research grants will be required to move us toward our destination.

Together we can chart and successfully reach our new horizon. Like the sailors navigating the Gulf, we too will utilize specialized tools, knowledge and experience. Our mission is to achieve doctoral comprehensive status with national and international excellence and to become a leader in higher education as the academic Flagship of South Texas.