UTA
From left, Wayne Atchley, UTA's vice president for regional campuses; Parker County Commissioner Mike Hale; UTA President Jennifer Cowley; Parker County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Lisa Flowers; and Parker County Judge Pat Deen all make cuts during the ribbon cutting on Thursday.
UTA West is in business.
University and civic leaders gathered in Willow Park on Thursday to set up shop with the formal opening of an office in Parker County.
The moment was symbolic of the beginning of a long-term commitment in the west that will outlive us all and eventually manifest in the University of Texas at Arlington’s branch in Walsh Ranch in west Fort Worth and Parker County — UTA West.
The office is in a storefront on 243 Willow Bend Drive, a block to the east of Ranch House Road.
“This may look like a simple storefront, but don’t let its size fool you. We’re planting roots here because we believe in your future,” said university President Jennifer Cowley in prepared remarks. “It’s a bold declaration of our commitment to Parker County and west Fort Worth. It’s our way of saying, loud and clear: ‘We’re here, we’re ready, and we’re in it for the long haul.’”
The new presence in Willow Park will allow prospective students to learn about programs available at UTA West and even talk to admissions people. UTA, according to The Wall Street Journal, is the top-rated public university in the region, as Cowley reminded listeners on Thursday, as well as No. 1 in DFW for “salary impact.”
The university last year broke ground on the 51-acre campus that will be constructed in two phases in the Walsh Ranch development in a project designed to fuel the educational, economic, and workforce development of two of the fastest-growing localities in the country — Fort Worth and Parker County. Architecture firm HKS is designing the first facility. Hensel Phelps will serve as the general contractor.
UTA West’s presence expands on higher education needs in the region as Fort Worth, Parker, and Wise counties grow. TCU and Texas Wesleyan have increased programs, including a medical school at TCU. Texas A&M is building a research campus in downtown Fort Worth, and Tarleton State’s growing footprint continues to strengthen its role in the city’s academic ecosystem.
Fort Worth is where education begins.
Infrastructure on the site in Walsh Ranch is currently being installed. The design for the first phase hasn’t yet been completed, a spokesman said.
The first classes there are expected to be conducted in Fall 2028.
However, university officials on Thursday said the school plans to have programs available in the region as soon as Fall 2026 in classes conducted at Tarrant County College or Weatherford College. Students can then transition to the UTA West campus in 2028.
“We are working on plans to welcome some students before” 2028, Cowley said.
In addition to Cowley, others on hand for the ribbon cutting were Parker County Judge Pat Deen and County Commissioner Mike Hale.
Wayne Atchley was also present. Atchley is the university’s new — actually, he’s the first — vice president for regional campuses. He started his job last week. He will ultimately be the one overseeing the development of new programs and the brick laying of the new campuses.
Atchley brings with him deep roots in the west. He grew up in Sansom Park and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from TCU. He holds an Ed.D. from Texas A&M University/Texas Tech University in agricultural leadership, education, and communication.
He comes to this job from Tarrant County College’s Trinity River campus where he served as vice president for academic affairs. Prior to that he oversaw the development and implementation of enrollment and academic advising strategies at Tarleton State University.
“The biggest challenge until today was we didn’t have a presence yet [in Parker County] So, this is our presence,” Atchley said. “This is how we can get in the community. We want people to come see us and learn about what we're planning. We want to make sure we build on this momentum.”
Parker County right now is synonymous with momentum. As the president, Cowley, reminded, “You blink, and there’s a new neighborhood, a new business, or a new opportunity” in Parker County.
Soon enough, there will be a new higher education option out there to serve the masses, which are moving in faster than a tumbleweed in the West Texas wind.