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MISSION, TEXAS - In an effort to provide more of its programs away from its two main campuses, UT-Rio Grande Valley has opened satellite centers across the region.

One of those is in Mission, where full-time program specialist Omar Rodriguez assists local businesses from the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED).


Bringing UTRGV to Mission was one of the issues Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza campaigned on when running for office.

Ron Garza, associate vice president for workforce and economic development at the university, explained the concept.

\\u201cA few months back we established a relationship with the Mission EDC (economic development corporation) and created our hub office here,\\u201d Garza said. \\u201cThat is six different centers and departments dedicated for small business development, workforce programs, and just economic development in general.\\u201d

Garza said Rodriguez works to \\u201cgenerate leads and activities and then does a \\u201cvery soft handoff to generate all this activity.\\u201d

From January the Mission center will offer a Kaufman cohort training program, Garza said, as part of Mission EDC\\u2019s Ruby Red Ventures program.

\\u201cSo, really, it is the footprint, the front door of UTRGV here in the city of Mission, here at CEED, which is perfect environment to do that.\\u201d

Here is an audio recording of an interview with Garza and Rodriguez.\\xa0

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