University Centers and Institutes

Center for Energy and Economic Diversification

The Center for Energy and Economic Diversification (CEED) encompasses The University of Texas of the Permian Basin research and extension programs targeted to strengthening the economic development of the region.  CEED is housed in a special use facility which carries its name.  It has become the focal point for economic development in West Texas.  Programs housed in the CEED include the Economic Diversification Program, the Small Business Development Center and the Petroleum Industry Alliance.

Economic Diversification Program

Section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 states:

“The University Center program provides funding assistance to selected colleges and universities to mobilize the institutional resources in addressing economic development of distressed areas”.  Features of the program are as follows:

• Funded on a three-year basis
• Matching fund requirement from the host institution
• Have a designated primary service area
• Serves as “windows” to the educational resources of the host institution for communities and businesses.

• Feasibility studies
• Market analysis
• Economic development strategies
• Specific problem research on subjects involving engineering environmental issues, etc.
• Surveys and Special Studies
• Any special study or report which will assist in improving the economy and increasing employment

The Economic Diversification Program at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Center for Energy and Economic Diversification meets all of the above criteria.

The Economic Development Administration awarded UTPB its first University Center Grant in 1988.  To the end of the current fiscal year (02), EDA has awarded UTPB almost $1.4 million for the Economic Diversification Program.  Over this period, UTPB’s matching fund requirement has amounted to $818,000.  Thus, a total of almost $2.3 million dollars has been available to help the service area meet the economic challenges of the 1990s.

University Counseling and Pyschological Services Center

The University Counseling and Psychological Services Center is located on the South Campus.  Services are available at no charge to U. T. Permian Basin students.  Counseling, psychological evaluations and life skills services are available for students and their families.  Office hours are Monday through Thursday from noon until 5:00 p.m. Morning and evening times are available by appointment.

The Center also provides supervised experiences for graduate students in psychology who wish to pursue the license in counseling.

Petroleum Industry Alliance

The Petroleum Industry Alliance (PIA) was formed in October 1992.  The PIA has established its goals to be:

• An effective catalyst for bringing new oil projects into the Permian Basin;
• A respected research organization in its own right; and
• An agent for education and training related to the oil industry.

One of the most natural of roles that the PIA can play in the Permian Basin is that of an agent or facilitator in technology transfer to the oil and gas industry, especially to the independent sector of the industry.  PIA is actively involved in these activities through its educational seminars, short courses and forums.  It is also serving the technological needs of the industry through contacts with the Department of Energy, the National Labs and the Independent Petroleum Association of America’s Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC).

The Petroleum Industry Alliance is the one organization of The University of Texas of the Permian Basin directly serving the oil and gas industry.

The Jan and Ted Roden Center for Entrepreneurship

The Jan and Ted Roden Center for Entrepreneurship was officially opened in the Fall of 2004 with private funding from Jan and Ted Roden to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of the students at U.T. Permian Basin.  The Center serves as a focal point for all student-related activities in the area of entrepreneurship.  Included within the Center are state-of-the-art multimedia and wireless computer capabilities as well as a library for student research in the areas of small business and entrepreneurship.

Mission:  The Jan and Ted Roden Center for Entrepreneurship will serve as a vehicle for encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit in our students.  First and foremost, the Center will strive to remind our students that self-venturing is a viable option as a career choice.

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program was initiated at U. T. Permian Basin in 1986 and moved to the CEED facility in 1990.  The goals of the SBDC program are to:

• Provide free, in-depth, quality assistance to small businesses in promoting growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity and management support;
• Act as an advocate for small business, actively supporting and promoting small business interests;
• Help economic growth of the communities served and create a broad-based delivery system;
• Serve as a liaison, linking resources of federal, state and local governments with those of colleges, universities and the private sector to meet the specialized and complex needs of the small business community; and
• Develop and expand unique resources of the educational system, the private sector and state and local governments to provide services to the small business community not available elsewhere.

The core objective for the SBDC program is focused on client counseling and training.  This activity focuses on start-up, expansion and problem solving for small businesses in a sixteen county area.  The SBDC program can maximize the usefulness of all available resources.  One precept of the program is that all funding participants in the program will have their program development contributions highly leveraged.  Each SBDC must identify and utilize non-federal resources at all levels.

John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute

The John Ben Shepperd Leadership Forum began in 1984 with private funding and brought leadership training to young people of Texas through an Annual Forum as well as through high school forums throughout the state.  To expand on the Forums’ vision, the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute became part of U. T. Permian Basin in the Fall of 1995 with funding from the 74th Session of the Texas Legislature.

Mission:

The Mission of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute is to provide young Texans an education for and about leadership, ethics and public service.

Programs:

• Academic Studies

The Institute supports the BA undergraduate program in the field of Leadership Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.  A feature of the program is the opportunity for students to practice leadership skills through internships with established leaders in the community.  In addition, the Institute sponsors scholarly research, publications and seminars on issues regarding leadership.  It was recently instrumental in establishing a new graduate degree program leading to a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Leadership Studies at UTPB.

• Distinguished Lecture Series

Each year on campus there is a series of distinguished lecturers invited to conduct intensive discussions on selected topics of leadership.  This is a unique opportunity for the participants to exchange thoughts and ideas with some of the great leaders of the country.  The program is open to the public and is available through video and interactive communication.

• Specialized Seminars

The Institute holds a series of seminars concerning various aspects of leadership that can be utilized by business, community and school leaders.  The seminars can also be specialized to fit the needs of a specific organization or group.

• Student Forums

Throughout Texas, local organizations such as Jaycee Chapters, Chambers of Commerce, colleges and universities, and Electric Cooperatives such as LCRA and ONCOR sponsor student forums.  The participants learn the basics of leadership, communication skills, and goal setting, exchange ideas with local leaders and develop a project to focus on local issues to continue their training and education.  Some fifty student forums are held throughout Texas each year, reaching approximately 5,000 high school students.

• Summer Teacher Institute

Each summer, the Institute sponsors a month long education program for current teachers.  The accepted participants can earn six hours of graduate credit and are eligible for a scholarship that covers the cost of tuition, books, and lodging during the institute, with an option of returning for a second summer of graduate studies.

• Annual Forum

The Annual Forum is designed to bring together the experience and wisdom of today’s established leaders with the energy and idealism of young emerging leaders to develop skills and ideas necessary to meet the challenges of future generations of Texans.  In addition to those who have completed the nomination process, selected members of student forums are invited to attend.  During this unique weekend conference, participants develop visions of leadership to encourage them to think specifically of application to issues in their communities.

• Student Leadership Camp

Each summer, the Institute hosts on campus an intensive weeklong leadership camp for up to thirty high school students.  The goal of the camp is to return students to their respective communities prepared to assume leadership roles at their schools and become involved in public service.

• Awards and Recognition

The Institute annually recognizes outstanding Texans with the Outstanding Texas Leader and Outstanding Local Leader awards.  Nominations come from the general public, business, academic and political entities.  In addition, recognition is given to outstanding students who have met the award criteria.