FORT WORTH, Texas - The Texas A&M University System officially opened its new downtown Fort Worth campus Wednesday, marking a major milestone in a long-term effort to expand higher education, research and workforce development in North Texas.
University leaders, Texas A&M System Regents, Chancellor Glenn Hegar, faculty, staff and community partners gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Law & Education Building before breaking ground on the next phase of the campus, the Research & Innovation Building-A.
The new facilities will anchor the Switchyard Innovation District, a planned center for education, research, entrepreneurship and business collaboration in southeast downtown Fort Worth.
New Academic Hub Opens
The newly opened Law & Education Building is an eight-story, 228,000-square-foot facility that will house academic programs from Texas A&M University and Tarleton State University.
Programs located in the building include:
- Texas A&M School of Law
- Engineering
- Business
- Healthcare
- Pharmacy
- Biotechnology
- Medical Laboratory Sciences
Six Texas A&M System agencies will also operate from the building, providing opportunities for students to work alongside researchers, public service professionals and private industry partners.
"This is not simply another downtown building or a collection of academic programs," Chancellor Glenn Hegar said. "It is a place where a student can meet a future employer, a researcher can sit across the table from a company facing a real problem and a good idea can become a product, a business or a job."
Economic Impact Expected
Planning for the Fort Worth campus was guided by a regional workforce needs assessment designed to identify programs and partnerships needed to support the area's growing economy.
According to a Texas A&M economic impact study, once the campus is fully completed it is expected to:
- Support more than 25,000 direct and indirect jobs
- Generate more than $3 billion in annual economic activity
Texas A&M System Board of Regents Chairman Robert L. "Bob" Albritton said the project brings together education, infrastructure and long-term investment.
"Growth takes skilled people, sound infrastructure, useful ideas and partners willing to invest for the long haul," Albritton said. "Texas A&M-Fort Worth brings those things together in one place."
Research Building Now Under Construction
Immediately following the grand opening ceremony, officials broke ground on the 11-story Research & Innovation Building-A.
Scheduled for completion in 2029, the facility will support collaborative research involving universities, Texas A&M System agencies and private industry in fields including:
- Aerospace
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Health sciences
- Biotechnology
- Medicine
- Food and nutrition science
- Transportation
- Virtual production
University leaders said the building will significantly expand the campus's research capabilities while strengthening the Switchyard Innovation District as a center for innovation and workforce development.
Hands-On Learning Focus
Guests attending the grand opening explored interactive exhibits showcasing engineering, robotics, advanced manufacturing, aviation research, nursing simulation labs and the Mobile Health Assessment Center.
Bobby Ahdieh, chief operating officer of Texas A&M-Fort Worth and dean of the Texas A&M University School of Law, said the campus is designed to connect students with real-world opportunities.
"Students don't just earn degrees," Ahdieh said. "They engage with researchers, public service professionals and industry partners, gaining the experience, connections and perspective to lead in rapidly changing fields."
Associate Vice Chancellor Kim McCuistion said the new campus represents the beginning of a long-term vision for higher education and economic development in Fort Worth.
"Together, we're building a unique campus where universities, state agencies and industry partners work side by side to prepare students, advance research and solve real-world challenges," McCuistion said.
