Author: Robyn Boren

The strength of Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) is rooted in collaboration because people here know when innovating to solve problems, the key to success is working together. It cuts down on duplicative efforts and makes the region more competitive when funding is on the line. From making chips to accelerating research that could improve or save lives, DFW is leading the charge.  

Texoma research hubs 

In 2022, 31 regions across the United States were recognized as tech hubs and awarded federal dollars through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

These are areas with high growth potential that can play a part in job creation as well as strengthen U.S. economic and national security, and one of them is in North Texas. 

Out of 198 applicants, the EDA selected the Texoma region, which covers 26 counties and is bordered  by Dallas-Fort Worth on the south and the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma to the north. 

Led by SMU, with 60 regional members, it was named the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub (TSTH). It supports innovation and workforce development in the semiconductor industry by cultivating student interest in high-paying industry jobs and building training programs. 

Members represent regional universities and colleges, industry, workforce and economic development organizations and local and regional governments–including the Choctaw Nation. In addition to federal dollars, funding is provided by the Texas CHIPS Act, which was signed into law in 2023. 

James Grimsley, TSTH regional innovation officer, stressed that rebuilding U.S. dominance in the manufacture of semiconductors and related products is a national security issue, as semiconductor “chips” serve as the tiny brains behind many of our critical technologies, ranging from cell phones to automobile production.  

He said SMU was eager to take the lead on this issue through building the TSTH consortium.  

“The semiconductor industry effectively started in North Texas with Jack Kilby’s invention of the integrated circuit while working at Texas Instruments,” Grimsley said. “But our domestic capability to manufacture chips eroded over the last few decades as much of the industry moved overseas. We saw the harsh impact of supply chain disruption during the pandemic, and geopolitical tensions could create disruptions, too.”    

At the heart of the TSTH plan is the construction and distribution of Fablets™ which are shared lab facilities with mobile components. The goal is to provide Texoma communities with access to semiconductor education and workforce training resources. Traditionally, this kind of training has only been available to those with access to sophisticated, expensive cleanroom facilities that meet environmental requirements. Over time, the Fablets™ will help deepen the talent pipeline as well as introduce more middle and high schoolers to semiconductor production, which can be a lucrative career opportunity.   

The TSTH plan calls for developing “stackable” educational pathways for students that would allow them to pursue incremental certificates over time – an approach called “the ladder of success.” University and college members of the consortium are working with industry members to develop curriculum and training programs.  

“This is a ‘right time, right place’ moment for North Texas and southern Oklahoma,” said Grimsley. “We have an advantage over many of the other federally designated Tech Hubs because our region is already a major player in the semiconductor industry. With companies like Texas Instruments, Global Wafers America and Coherent in place and growing exponentially, we need to exploit this opportunity.     

This complements the UNT-led Texoma Logistics Innovation Engine (TIE) which was launched in 2023 with support from a $1 million U.S. National Science Foundation grant. Coordinated by the Texas Research Alliance (TRA), Investigative leads from UNT, SMU, UTA, Dallas College, Austin College and Southeastern Oklahoma State University came together to focus on leveraging autonomous vehicles, AI and cyber to transform the logistics industry, while creating regional economic, societal and technological opportunities. TIE was one of only 40 teams across the country to receive a National Science Foundation ‘Engine Development award.’  

“These kinds of partnerships don’t happen very often; this has been a once in a lifetime experience,” said Terry Pohlen, senior associate dean of UNT’s G. Brint Ryan College of Business, director of the Jim McNatt Institute for Logistics Research and principal investigator for the NSF Engines grant. “We are building a ‘Logistics Silicon Valley’ here in Texoma. Our mission is to connect innovators, investors and industries to create groundbreaking solutions for the supply chain sector.” 

In September 2024, TIE took a big step forward when UNT gathered nearly 200 top academic, government and private sector leaders from around the region and nation to discuss how to effectively form public-private partnerships and lead transformative logistics change.  

“Together, we know we have the power to effect change,” said Adam Fein, UNT vice president for digital strategy and innovation and chief digital officer, who served as emcee for the summit. “UNT believes in a multifaceted workforce, a strong regional economy and an ecosystem of innovation that provides access to social economic mobility.” 

Both projects were the result of several years of planning and strategizing by several groups, including the Dallas Regional Chamber. From grant writing to guiding stakeholder engagement; identifying places where innovation gets slowed down and talking through the tech transfer process. 

Pegasus Park lands ARPA-H 

Dallas was also chosen by the federal government to play a part in accelerating research and development in the life sciences industry. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) – a $1.5 billion initiative, modeled after the Department of Defense research arm known as DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) – designated three locations in the United States as high growth areas with potential to make a big impact. 

Dallas-Fort Worth teamed up with Austin, San Antonio and Houston to make the successful bid for an ARPA-H hub; it will physically be located at Pegasus Park, which is located between the Dallas Design District and the Southwestern Medical District. The ‘customer experience hub’ will focus on the end user and work to unify bespoke systems for a seamless experience. 

Pegasus Park is already a center of innovation as it is home to 35 nonprofits – collectively called the Water Cooler – as well as the BioWorks initiative, an effort between Dallas College, Tarrant County College, Collin College and UTA. The UT Southwestern tech development office and SMU’s computational biology department are also there. 

The Dallas Regional Chamber played a key role in landing ARPA-H – as both the public policy team and Mike Rosa, senior vice president of economic development, got information in front of policymakers and spoke to the unique benefits of the Dallas region.  

Additionally, both the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and Lyda Hill were critical to the region’s success. Lyda Hill Philanthropies subsidizes the nonprofits on Pegasus Park’s campus and started working on the application roughly two years before the selection was made – getting all the puzzle pieces in place to demonstrate to the ARPA-H selection committee that Texas, and Dallas-Fort Worth in particular, meant business. 

North Texas is known as the intellectual capital of the state. And for good reason – the region is home to the most Carnegie designated R1 and R2 research universities of any Texas metro.  

DFW is also home to the Texas Research Alliance (TRA), which helps businesses, public agencies and governments engage with North Texas’ robust higher education research infrastructure. Founded in 2014 by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Fort Worth Chamber and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, TRA creates regional collaborations between universities and companies, municipalities, public agencies and non-profit partners.  

TRA’s mission is to help solve problems, meet regional challenges and grow research capacity and technology commercialization through company, municipality and government agency partnerships with North Texas’ research universities, particularly in areas of considered priorities for the region.  

“Take mobility,” said TRA executive director, Victor Fishman. “Mobility equals freedom – freedom to achieve but right now, many communities have mobility challenges that restrain people. How do you fix that within the confines that exist – public transportation and funding for example?” The answer, Fishman said, is through new technologies.  

TRA has developed the Center for Mobility Technologies (CMT), a collaboration among industry, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, UNT, UTA, SMU, and UTD to develop advanced mobility technologies. 

Other notable TRA partnerships 

TRA is engaged with academic researchers across a variety of research initiatives and meets regularly to evaluate how they can band together to solve some of the biggest challenges that lie ahead. 

• • • VPR Network – As a regional convener in the industry-university space, TRA established the ‘vice-presidents of research’ network (VPRN) to facilitate collaboration and information-sharing. The VPRN allows universities to share their strategic initiatives, find ways to work together on major proposals and provide updates on new facilities, capabilities and resources. It represents faculty from the UNT, UTA, UTD and SMU. 

• • • AI Alliance – TRA established the AI Alliance to support faculty collaboration across universities for proposals on major initiatives in AI. Since establishing the AI Alliance, universities have collaborated on proposals for AI Institutes through the National Science Foundation.  

• • • Texoma Logistics Innovation Alliance – TRA established the collaboration that won the Phase 1 Award of $1 million. 

• • • Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub – TRA wrote the commercialization section of the winning Phase 1 Award of $500,000. 

These focused work groups wouldn’t exist without the TRA, which established relationships   among the universities that balance their research interests with industry and government agency needs. 

Complementing academic rigor with practical experience 

TRA also leverages its network to connect academic research needs with the undergraduate and graduate students who are looking for hands-on experience.   

One example of this concept in action is familiarizing companies with the many ways they can partner with universities that include internships, class projects, capstone programs and supporting theses and dissertations.  

“Combining academic instruction with practical experience gives North Texas students an edge,” said Fishman. “When they graduate, they have a better understanding than some of their peers on how things really work.” 

Additionally, TRA’s AI speaker series launched in 2023 – bringing together undergraduate and graduate students from across the metroplex to learn from industry leaders about current use-cases and employment opportunities. 

The TRA is a 501c-3 non-profit organization founded by four of the largest chambers of commerce in Dallas-Fort Worth. For more information, check out the TRA’s website at tradfw.org.  

In 2017, The Commit Partnership and Dallas College launched the Dallas County Promise, a collaborative initiative to create an affordable pathway to postsecondary education for students in Dallas County.  

Initially, Dallas County Promise was primarily focused on addressing college affordability by managing a last-dollar scholarship for students from select Dallas County high schools effectively waiving tuition for graduating seniors enrolling in Dallas College or the University of North Texas at Dallas. Support was contingent upon students completing a pledge, including submission of FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to draw down federal grants and scholarships, such as the Pell. Students that complete the TAFSA, the Texas Application for State Financial Aid, are also eligible for the Dallas County Promise.  

During its inaugural year, Dallas County Promise served 9,000 graduating seniors from 31 Dallas County high schools across seven school districts.  

Since then, Dallas County Promise has grown significantly. At Dallas College alone, enrollment from Promise has nearly doubled, from 2,500 in 2018 to almost 5,000 in 2024. Program-wide, Dallas County Promise supported 28,000 students from 85 high schools spanning 11 public school districts and two charter networks in 2025, representing more than 80% of graduating seniors in Dallas County.  

Beyond an expanded footprint, Dallas County Promise has added a bevy of support services for students and partner schools. Students receive year-long coaching and advising to mitigate barriers in applying for and transitioning to college, and educators participate in quarterly convenings and receive on-campus support and resources from Promise staff.  

Parents, too, are eligible for Promise at Dallas College, affording them up to five years of free tuition as they pursue a degree or credential.  

“At Dallas College, we are in the business of removing barriers and expanding opportunities for every student,” said Dallas College Chancellor Dr. Justin Lonon. “The Dallas County Promise is more than a scholarship—it’s a transformative initiative that provides comprehensive support to ensure students not only access higher education but also reach completion. By investing in our students and equipping them with the tools to succeed, we are strengthening our regional workforce and creating pathways to meaningful, living-wage careers that will uplift families and communities across Dallas County.”  

Today, Promise students have a wider range of postsecondary institutions to choose from than they did in 2017. Partner four-year universities include East Texas A&M University, Midwestern State University, Southern Methodist University, Tarleton State University, Texas Woman’s University, the University of North Texas, the University of North Texas at Dallas, and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).  

UTA has been a Promise partner since 2020 and is second only to Dallas College in Promise enrollees. Some students make their way to UTA after completing an associate’s degree at Dallas College, while others enroll directly out of high school.  

UTA is actively involved in enrolling students in Dallas County Promise, particularly in Grand Prairie ISD where they offer hands-on support, including on-the-spot admissions for eligible students. Once on campus, Promise students join UTA’s Blaze Forward network, receiving peer support as they navigate the transition into and throughout college.  

In late 2024, an unprecedented $60 million multi-year investment from the O’Donnell Foundation initiated the next phase of Dallas County Promise. Dallas College and The Commit Partnership will leverage the joint grant to extend Promise support to middle school students and adult learners.  

The expanded efforts will include year-round college and career advising for middle and high school students and targeted financial assistance for returning adult students, parents of Promise students and students engaging in workforce training programs. Additionally, grant funding will be used to support retention among Promise higher education partners, improve data and coordination systems, and strengthen collaboration with workforce organizations to ensure students have access to living-wage careers upon graduation.  

“Our region’s true north goal is to substantially grow living wage attainment for young adults in Dallas County,” said Todd Williams, founder and CEO of The Commit Partnership. “By investing in the capabilities of our students to universally provide them pathways to some type of postsecondary credential attainment, the Dallas County Promise has the potential to add billions of dollars in incremental lifetime earnings to the regional economy.” 

To learn more about the Dallas County Promise, visit www.dallascountypromise.org.  

Dallas-Fort Worth is a beacon of educational excellence. A diverse landscape of higher learning institutions blends tradition and innovation into an ever-evolving academic and economic environment.

The DFW Higher Education Review, created by the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC), highlights the impact of the region’s foremost colleges and universities, from developing the future workforce to advancing critical research. Together, the varied contributions of the region’s post-secondary institutions make DFW the No. 1 region in Texas for higher education.

The Dallas difference: A powerhouse in the Texas landscape

While Texas boasts several major educational hubs, the DFW region has carved out a unique position as the state’s most diverse higher education marketplace. From the historic corridors of Southern Methodist University to the cutting-edge research facilities at the University of Texas at Dallas, the DFW education ecosystem serves more than 400,000 students through its network of public and private institutions. More students attend and graduate from a DFW college or university than any other region in the state.

This vibrant academic community has become increasingly connected with the region’s booming business community, creating a symbiotic relationship with critical industry sectors such as health care and financial services, that power both economic growth and educational innovation.

What sets DFW apart from other Texas metropolitan areas is its distinctive blend of institutional types and specializations, including best-in-class medical education at UT Southwestern to expansive agricultural research at East Texas A&M University. DFW’s strength across multiple postsecondary sectors has created a more resilient and adaptable educational landscape to serve the needs of a diverse economy.

Addressing tomorrow’s challenges through today’s innovations

DFW is a rising powerhouse of higher education research. Texas now leads the country in the number of universities with the prestigious Carnegie R1 and R2 research designations, and DFW boasts more R1 and R2 institutions than any other region in the state. Investments in research support cutting-edge advancements in medical technologies and artificial intelligence.

Several recent research efforts have seen DFW’s universities band together to pursue competitive federal grants to support research in advanced manufacturing, logistics and supply chain innovation, and life sciences.

Additionally, the region has emerged as a leader in addressing the changing demographics of higher education. With a student population that increasingly includes working adults, parents, and career-changers, higher education institutions have pioneered innovative support services and flexible degree programs. For instance, both Dallas College and the University of North Texas at Dallas have garnered national attention for their comprehensive approach to student support, including expanded childcare services, evening course offerings, and integrated career counseling.

Looking ahead, the DFW higher education landscape is poised for continued evolution and achievement. Several institutions are expanding their physical footprints, with new satellite campuses and research facilities under development. Others invest heavily in emerging fields, positioning themselves at the forefront of solving tomorrow’s challenges.

Higher education and the Dallas Regional Chamber

The DRC has long been involved in efforts to develop, improve, and advocate for DFW’s higher education institutions, including:

• Hosting recurring meetings for the University CEO Council, which brings together leaders from the region’s largest colleges and universities to discuss pressing issues and identify opportunities for collaboration;
• Advocating for higher education as a part of the DRC’s Legislative Agenda for each state legislative session, including support for outcomes-based funding in community colleges, investments in research capacity and capital construction, and expansion of student financial aid; and
• Connecting industry and education through routine convenings, events, and meetings to connect DRC member companies with local colleges and universities to develop programs responsive to pressing workforce needs.

Leading through change: The future of higher education in the Dallas Region

As we delve deeper into the stories and statistics that shape our regional educational landscape, one thing becomes clear: DFW’s higher education community is not just responding to change – it’s actively shaping the future of learning in Texas and beyond. Through strategic innovation, community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to student success, Dallas Region institutions are creating a model for 21st-century higher education that resonates far beyond the borders of North Texas.

An innovative, state-of-the-art STEM building at UNT Dallas is set to open in late 2025 for the start of the Spring 2026 semester. It will transform the campus and offer a new level of instruction, research and collaboration. 

In September 2023, university leaders, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and community partners broke ground on the facility with a celebratory shoveling of dirt that marked a milestone. The building will be the most consequential addition to the UNT Dallas main campus yet, expanding opportunities for current and future students to be trained for significant healthcare careers. 

For employers, UNT Dallas graduates will help solve urgent healthcare shortages in our community.  

The new $100 million, four-story structure will include 18-20 classrooms, nine teaching labs (biology and chemistry), three research labs, and a large event venue. It will also contain multiple study and work areas, faculty and staff offices, a student STEM center, and a Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) space with resources for students interested in going to medical school. 

“This cutting-edge complex is the next step in UNT Dallas’ long-term plan to expand STEM opportunities for students and bolster the pipeline of highly skilled, career-ready candidates to North Texas employers seeking STEM and healthcare professionals, especially nursing and pharmacy fields,” said UNT Dallas President Dr. Warren von Eschenbach.  

The Texas Workforce Commission says these “high-demand, high-wage” occupations are expanding rapidly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says STEM-related healthcare positions pay more than the average American job, and STEM careers are projected to 11% in the next decade.  

The STEM building will be green and sustainable, energy efficient and full of windows and natural light to take advantage of the landscaping around it, bringing the outside in. An area behind the structure will become a green space for student gatherings, study and quiet reflection. 

Two firms, Stantec and Harrison Kornberg, designed the building to reflect the university’s mission and achieve the STEM project’s goals. They include empowering students by providing upward mobility to a diverse community of learners through STEM education; transforming lives through STEM programs that will improve the vitality of students and their families; and creating a sense of place and belonging, which is student-centered, inclusive, welcoming, accessible and flexible. 

UNT Dallas and the new STEM facility will catalyze investment and development in southern Dallas by collaborating with industry partners and local educational and community institutions.