University of Texas to launch Americas institute

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BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The University of Texas System will create an institute in South Texas focused on the Americas and has tapped the outgoing president of the University of Texas-Brownsville to lead it.

In a statement Wednesday, University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa described the University of Texas Institute of the Americas as an entity focused on developing the next generation of leaders and a nonpartisan venue for discussing global issues.

The institute's executive director will be UTB President Juliet Garcia, who will step down from her current position Aug. 31. Her university is combining with the University of Texas Pan American to form the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Cigarroa said the institute will convene academics and experts to look for solutions on societal and policy issues and in education.