GENERAL INFORMATION

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a public institution of higher education, awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Situated on a coastal island, the University’s modern campus serves a diverse population of more than 8,350 students. The University is a member of The Texas A&M University System.

INSTITUTIONAL VISION, MISSION, GOALS, AND PRINCIPLES

Vision
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is committed to becoming one of the leading centers of higher education in the Gulf of Mexico region while serving the intellectual, cultural, social, environmental, and economic needs of South Texas. As a result, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will invigorate and strengthen the region and state through its educational programs, research initiatives, and outreach efforts.

Mission
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is devoted to discovering, communicating, and applying knowledge in a complex and changing world. The university identifies, attracts, and graduates students of high potential, especially those from groups who have been historically under-represented in Texas higher education. Through a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi prepares students for lifelong learning and for responsible participation in the global community.

University Goals
By 2010, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will establish:

1. A student body, of more than 10,000 students, which is representative of the demographics of the State of Texas and a corresponding increase of faculty and staff to support the students.
2. A faculty dedicated to the continuous improvement of teaching, learning, scholarly research, and creative activity.
3. A statewide reputation for an exemplary undergraduate education, anchored by an integrated core curriculum and learning communities.
4. Recognized master’s degree programs that enable students to be leaders in their fields and/or to continue their education at the doctoral level.
5. Strong doctoral programs which include degrees in a discipline related to the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, education, computer science, and clinical psychology, bringing the institution to the doctoral intensive institution classification.
6. An enhanced research mission and a growing international reputation for research focusing on the Gulf of Mexico, early childhood, geographic information systems, and reading education.
7. Collaborations with independent school districts, social agencies, public broadcasting, businesses, community colleges, medical schools, and other entities to provide access to lifelong learning and technological resources so that Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is considered to be a leader in establishing successful partnerships, particularly to benefit the community.
8. An intellectual and cultural climate that inspires South Texans through the South Texas Institute for the Arts, the Performing Arts Center, and other cultural programs.
9. Programs for students, faculty, and staff to develop leadership, collegiality, and university involvement.
10. Access to the array of information resources and technology infrastructure necessary to support university programs, services, and research.

Institutional Principles
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is committed to the realization of its vision, the accomplishment of its mission, and the attainment of its goals by:

• Recruiting, retaining, and supporting a diverse, highly qualified student body, faculty and staff
• Establishing a culture of professionalism and responsibility
• Fost
• Ensuring respectful, fair, and equitable treatment of all individuals
• Fostering an open, shared, and participatory decision making process
• Promoting efficient and effective use of time, resources and technology.
• Providing an active campus life that extends teaching and learning beyond the classroom
• Providing a safe and secure campus environment for students, faculty, and staff
• Involving the university community, alumni, civic and government leaders, and other friends of the university in the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi vision and mission.

INSTITUTIONAL HISTORY

The island campus of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been a setting for higher education for more than fifty years.  In 1947, Ward Island became the home of the University of Corpus Christi (UCC), an institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.  The UCC campus was developed on land previously used by the U.S. Navy as a radar training facility.

In 1970, Hurricane Celia severely damaged the college campus.  The following year, UCC and the Baptist General Convention took steps to end their affiliation.  Concerned about higher education in Corpus Christi, a coalition of civic leaders sought local support as well as state legislation to convert the campus of UCC to a state-supported institution with an expanded curriculum.

In 1971, the 62nd session of the Texas Legislature authorized the creation of a state-supported institution of higher education in Corpus Christi.  The Board of Directors of the Texas A&I University System was authorized to establish an upper-level university and to prescribe courses for the new institution at the junior, senior, and graduate levels leading to both bachelor's and master's degrees.

Funding was approved by the legislature to initiate planning for the university.  The citizens of Corpus Christi approved a bond issue to purchase the campus of the University of Corpus Christi on Ward Island.  Subsequently, the campus was given to the State of Texas as a site for the new state-supported university.  Civic leaders in Corpus Christi also launched a successful public fund raising campaign to provide local financial support for the fledgling university.  On September 4, 1973, several months after UCC completed its final classes, Texas A&I University at Corpus Christi opened its doors with an initial enrollment of 969 students. 

In 1977, the legislature changed the name of the institution to Corpus Christi State University.  The name of the university system, which also included Laredo State University and Texas A&I University, was changed the same year to the University System of South Texas (USST).

In 1989, the Texas Legislature abolished the University System of South Texas and merged Corpus Christi State University and the other two USST universities into The Texas A&M University System.  In the same year, the legislature approved the expansion of Corpus Christi State University to a four-year comprehensive university, with enrollment of freshmen and sophomores to begin in September 1994.  In 1992, the role of the institution was expanded further when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board authorized the University to offer its first doctoral degree program.  Another milestone occurred in 1993 when The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents renamed the institution Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.  The arrival of freshman and sophomore students in 1994 marked the transformation of the institution to a four-year university.

The University continues to expand in terms of student enrollment and program offerings.  In 2005, student enrollment grew to 8,365.  Students may choose from a growing number of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in five academic colleges:  the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and College of Science and Technology.  Program offerings as of fall 2006 include 38 undergraduate degree programs, 26 master’s programs, and 4 doctoral program.

MOMENTUM 2015:  PLANNING FOR THE NEXT DECADE

Momentum 2015 is a ten-year plan, launched by President Flavius C. Killebrew and crafted by the faculty, staff, students, and community, which provides strategic direction to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi from 2005-2015.  The centerpieces of the Momentum 2015 strategic planning process are the three unifying themes of Excellence, Engagement, and Expansion. The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi community intends to create a culture of excellence and engagement while simultaneously experiencing dramatic growth in its student population, which will reflect the face of The New Texas. Twelve Momentum 2015 imperatives articulate the University’s plan to become the flagship university in South Texas as it builds and sustains competitive programs, achieves doctoral comprehensive status, expands its research mission, and significantly increases its student population. The imperatives build on the national reputation the University has attained through its first-year learning communities program and its burgeoning commitment to civic engagement. The imperatives reflect the importance of identifying targeted areas of national recognition and prominence while understanding that attaining an excellent, engaged academic community requires a talented faculty and staff, an enthusiastic, motivated student body, and a supportive community.