Celebrating Binational Partnerships: UTEP and UACH Collaborations Unite Faculty, Students, and their Communities
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the Autonomous University of Chihuahua (UACH) share a strong bond as institutions committed to fostering academic, cultural and professional exchanges across borders. In the last year, the partnership grew to new heights through several exciting collaborations that exemplify the power of binational appreciation.
Binational Conference
In their academic collaborations, UTEP and UACH jointly organized a conference in April 2024 titled, “The First Binational Congress: Migration, Human Mobility, and Humanities.” Over 50 panels of researchers and experts chosen from diverse expertise and backgrounds presented on topics related to immigration, such as human mobility, cultural diversification, and protection of migrant human rights, to provide valuable perspectives on challenges and opportunities in the region. UTEP’s Selfa A. Chew, Ph.D., associate dean for undergraduate studies and professor of instruction in the Department of History and the African American Studies Program; and María Cristina Morales, Ph.D., professor of sociology and anthropology, were selected to represent UTEP on the committee planning future conferences.
“UTEP has a strong reputation that shows our impact at an international scale, and the panelists that participate in our conference in turn come from other universities in the United States, Mexico, and in parts of Latin America and Europe,” Chew said. “This collaboration is so significant because it goes beyond the borderland.”
UTEP and UACH were also part of a multinational conference in September 2024 hosted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) titled “Africans and Asians in America: A New Perspective.” The conference topics ranged from the intercultural processes of African Americans and Asian Americans to transnational identities. It involved universities and institutions that promote research that, according to Chew, transcends borders and expands UTEP’s commitment to creating a deeper understanding of migration, multiculturalism, and the diverse experiences of different communities in the Americas.
Binational Classes
In terms of student collaborations, UTEP and UACH faculty have developed joint classes to promote collaboration and cultural exchange, enhancing academic opportunities for students. Over 90 students have participated in these binational courses, which combine the expertise of faculty from both universities to emphasize global learning. Through these classes, students work on projects addressing border issues and cultural differences, conducting research and presenting their findings collaboratively.
The UTEP faculty who have participated in the joint courses with UACH and other universities in Mexico include Gaspare Genna, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Political Science; Jeremy Slack, Ph.D., department chair and associate professor of geography in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology; Luis Arias, J.D., assistant professor of practice in the Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies; Patrick Timmons, Ph.D., associate professor of instruction in the Department of Political Science; and Raymundo Rojas, J.D., adjunct faculty member in the Department of Chicano Studies, Languages and Linguistics.
“Students are learning from fellow students from other universities in a different country; their culture, their politics, their economics being variables that differ from their own,” Arias said. “It gives them a wider perspective of who they are and embraces the diversity of nations – two worlds coming together on a subject matter relatable to both.”
Cultural Collaborations
The binational collaborations are not only taking place in academics, but in cultural and musical aspects as well. Cultural ties were further strengthened on Dec. 8, 2024, when Ciudad Juárez, El Paso’s sister city, celebrated its 365th anniversary. In a gesture of partnership, UTEP’s marching band and dance team, alongside Paydirt Pete, participated for the first time in the city’s annual parade, showcasing cultural pride and unity. More than 100 members of the UTEP marching band performed in the parade, playing cultural and pop classics.
UTEP and UACH also showcased their musical collaboration through two unique symphonic concerts, one taking place at UTEP and the other at UACH. The collaboration between the UTEP Symphony Orchestra, UTEP Concert Chorale, and the UACH Symphonic Orchestra included guest performances by Zuill Bailey, Grammy-winning cellist and UTEP music faculty member.
The first concert took place on Oct. 30, 2024 at Magoffin Auditorium, while the second concert was presented at UACH’s Faculty of Administration Building on Dec. 8, 2024, in honor of UACH’s 70th anniversary.
The unification of choirs and orchestras celebrated the universities’ cultural ties, and the musicians from UTEP and UACH presented a free admission program that attracted faculty, staff, students and community members. The performances created unique musical experiences for the guests, highlighting the institutions’ artistry and impact.
“The collaborations between UTEP, UACH, UACJ, the city of Juárez and the State of Chihuahua highlight the significant benefits of binational partnerships in fostering academic and cultural growth,” said Arturo Barrio, assistant vice president for international relations at UTEP. “Through participation in these events, our faculty, staff and students are empowered to exchange knowledge and forge meaningful connections that extend beyond borders. These enriching experiences prepare our students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.”
