Recap of the CCEC Winter Meeting in El Paso
Since President Heather Wilson arrived at the University of Texas at El Paso in 2019, the university has experienced a remarkable surge forward. Already classified as Carnegie R1, UTEP's research funding hit a record high of $139.6 million in fiscal year 2023, and its emphasis on student access and success helped the university earn the top spot for social mobility among Texas universities in The Wall Street Journal’s annual college rankings.
More than 200 CCEC members gained behind-the-scenes access to UTEP's success story on the border. President Wilson, UTEP faculty and local business and education leaders led captivating sessions delving into the university’s research advancements in fields such as cross-border trade and commerce, aerospace engineering, advanced 3D manufacturing and addressing Hispanic health disparities.
The event showcased UTEP's nationally recognized initiatives for student success, including a powerful session in which five exceptional students shared their transformative experiences on campus, sparking an interactive Q&A exchange with members. Wilson also paid homage to the university’s rich history with a tribute to the Miners’ historic 1966 NCAA men’s basketball championship, a seminal moment in the desegregation of collegiate athletics in the South.
Members also experienced El Paso’s unique local culture with a guided tour of UTEP's beautiful Bhutanese-style campus architecture and a dinner discussion between Chancellor Milliken and Nevena Christi, a world-renowned bootmaker, highlighting El Paso's legacy as the boot capital of the world.
CCEC Fall Meeting 2023 descends on the Big Apple
CCEC members painted the Big Apple orange for the annual Fall Meeting. From intimate conversations with UT leaders and alumni thriving in the city to insider tours of New York’s iconic arts, culture and fashion scenes, the early October weekend was nothing short of extraordinary.
Academic discussions were led by UT Austin President Jay Hartzell at the UT in New York (UTNY) campus, where UT Austin’s national impact and draw were explored. A separate conversation focused on UT’s McCombs School of Business as a top source of Wall Street talent, featuring three recent UT graduates working in Manhattan’s finance sector. In addition, a visit to the Council on Foreign Relations with Chancellor Milliken proved incredibly timely, as Steven A. Cook, senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies, analyzed the Israel-Gaza conflict in real-time, just days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.
From a culture standpoint, Pulitzer and Tony-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan – a distinguished Texas Exes Alumnus – offered a glimpse into the magic of Broadway productions, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening at the theater. Members participated in guided tours of renowned institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and New York Historical Society Museum and Library, and were also treated to an exclusive look inside the fashion industry with Deirdre Quinn, co-founder of the global lifestyle brand, Lafayette 148.
