TAMU-CC Physical and Environmental Science Department Joins Prestigious Consortium UCAR

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – As it continues to blaze a path as a leading research institution in Texas, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has been elected to join the prestigious nonprofit consortium UCAR, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The vote took place on Oct. 6 during the annual UCAR members meeting. Dr. Richard Dixon, Texas State University Professor of Geography and Honorary Professor of International Studies, served as membership committee chair and advocated on behalf of the Island University at the meeting.

UCAR is a consortium of North American colleges and universities that provide research and education programs related to Earth system sciences, including meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, and climate sciences. TAMU-CC’s addition to UCAR brings the total number of consortium members to 122. Among UCAR’s member institutions are Texas universities of immense research prestige, including The University of Texas, University of Houston, Rice University, Texas State University, and Texas Tech University. TAMU-CC is now the only regional institution in the Texas A&M University System in UCAR.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, a Hispanic Serving Institution, was designated by the Carnegie Commission of Higher Education as an “R2 Doctoral University-High Research Activity” in 2018.

We are honored to be elected to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. The Island University is pleased to join this elite group of institution. This will open the door for even more impactful and collaborative research in atmospheric science for our faculty, staff, and students.

Dr. Ahmed Mahdy, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Vice President for Research and Innovation

TAMU-CC’s primary program in UCAR is the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, with the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science as the secondary program.  

Within the TAMU-CC Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences is the atmospheric science program. The program offers a bachelor’s degree in preparation for industrial or government positions and for graduate study. It also offers a minor in atmospheric sciences for future educators who plan to teach environmental science or physics at the 8-12 grade level or for those who need relevant atmospheric science knowledge.

“We are honored to be elected to UCAR. The Island University is pleased to join this elite group of institutions,” said Dr. Ahmed Mahdy, TAMU-CC Vice President for Research and Innovation. “This will open the door for even more impactful and collaborative research in atmospheric science for our faculty, staff, and students.”

UCAR’s benefits include providing community networking resources and offering an array of services that individual members could not maintain on their own. UCAR also alerts its membership to legislative and budget issues that may affect the work of members. It also educates Congress on scientific problems and societal impacts, and advocates on broad community interests. Membership in the consortium will also serve as a significant recruiting tool in the years ahead.

Application of TAMU-CC’s UCAR membership was led by Dr. Chuntao Liu, TAMU-CC Associate Professor of Atmospheric Sciences.

“The Island University is one of only two universities in Texas that has a bachelor of science in atmospheric science,” he said. “Our program is growing, so membership in UCAR will help attract talented students with a deep interest in the field.”