The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved $65 million in permanent university funds to build a new Student Success Center at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The new facility will replace the El Paso Natural Gas Conference Center and is intended to provide updated food service, event spaces, and centralized student support services.
The planned building will include Counseling and Psychological Services, the University Career Center, the Center for Accommodations and Support Services (CASS), and the Military Student Success Center. It is designed to bring these student-focused resources together under one roof.
“This new building will create a much-needed student support services hub on the west side of campus while also modernizing food service and event space,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “We are grateful to the Regents for recognizing and continuing to support the revitalization of our campus. And to our students: Don’t worry, we will still have Chick-fil-A!”
According to university officials, the new center will likely feature two main floors dedicated to student services, dining options, and event areas. The architecture will follow UTEP’s Bhutanese-inspired design style.
Vice President for Student Affairs Catie McCorry-Andalis commented on the benefits of integrating multiple support services in one location: “This building will align with best practices that show that integrated service environments foster greater student engagement, retention and satisfaction. Students often need to navigate multiple support systems simultaneously — mental health, career planning, academic accommodations — and having these services in one location supports persistence to degree completion.”
In September 2024, UTEP students voted in favor of increasing student union fees as part of an initiative to replace Union West and renovate Union East. Students expressed a desire for more modern facilities focused on accessibility and engagement. As part of this project, some departments currently housed in existing union buildings will move into the new Student Success Center.
“The new Student Success Center will allow us to expand spaces of high priority for student life in the new and revitalized Student Union,” Wilson said.
The university expects the Student Success Center to open in 2031.
