Institutional Impact
The University of Texas at El Paso is a national leader in community engagement, advancing the public good through partnerships that create opportunity, strengthen our region, and transform lives. Community engagement is a core strategy for promoting student success, advancing research, and building a more equitable and vibrant Borderplex community.
By the Numbers

A Core Institutional Priority
Community engagement is deeply embedded in UTEP’s institutional mission and culture. Our university is nationally recognized for advancing student success and upward mobility through meaningful partnerships with our surrounding region.
UTEP’s 2030 Strategic Plan identifies community engagement as a core strategy for educational excellence and societal impact. Leadership from the President’s Office, Provost, Deans, and faculty champions supports efforts to integrate community-engaged learning, research, and service across all colleges.
Building a Strong Foundation for Engagement
UTEP’s infrastructure for institutionalizing engagement includes:
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The Provost’s Community Engagement Council, a cross-campus body that guides institutional priorities, policy, and recognition for engaged teaching and scholarship.
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The Community Engagement & Leadership (CEL) course designation, which formally recognizes courses that integrate community-based learning with academic content.
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A university-wide effort to align tenure and promotion policies with national best practices in community-engaged scholarship, through collaboration with faculty fellows and the Provost’s Office.

Addressing Food Insecurity on Campus and in the Community
UTEP students, faculty, and staff partner with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, Mustard Seed Café, and local nonprofits to provide food assistance through mobile pantries, service-learning projects, and research initiatives, reducing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations. Learn more here.

Faculty-Student Research Driving Public Health Solutions
Through COURI-supported research, UTEP students and faculty collaborate on projects addressing health disparities in the border region, including maternal health, Chagas disease prevention, and technology access for older adults, advancing both knowledge and community well-being. Learn more here.

Miners Pick to Vote: Building Civic Leadership
UTEP’s Miners Pick to Vote initiative mobilizes student leaders to promote voter education, registration, and civic participation. Partnering with the County Elections Office and League of Women Voters, students lead campus-wide efforts to strengthen democratic engagement across the UTEP community. Learn more here.