Texas A&M University has named Rick Margo as interim director of its Higher Education Center (HEC) at McAllen. This continues the university’s development of the recently approved expansion of degree offerings in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and creation of its Higher Education Center in McAllen, TX.
A native of the Rio Grande Valley, Margo has been employed at Texas A&M University since October 2002 and is currently the Center Director of the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo Regional Prospective Student Centers where he oversees facilitation of student and family resources in college application, financial aid and recruitment initiatives.
As interim director, Margo will provide oversight for the initial year of new program offerings for admitted students in the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering degree, beginning fall 2017. He will manage the day to day operations for the McAllen HEC, including supervision of administrative staff supporting the Texas A&M University faculty and students. He will coordinate with local administration and staff on issues related to the planned space utilization and student services during this initial year, as well as coordinating with Texas A&M University administration and staff related to student support services provided from College Station.
https://today.tamu.edu/2015/09/15/texas-am-signals-intent-to-expand-in-mcallen/#lightbox/0/
Margo will create opportunities for the Texas A&M University students studying in McAllen to develop a community of scholars through coordinated activities, learning community, field trips and camaraderie.
“I am proud to serve these students and their families as we embark on this new initiative together,” said Margo. “The initial cohort of students are being referred to as “Pioneer Scholars” as they will be facing some unique hardships in this initial year, in order to initiate a new tradition for Texas A&M and the Lower Rio Grande Valley.”
A graduate of Rio Grande City High School, Margo attended Texas A&M University. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1989, Rick worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Small Business Administration for over 12 years. As a long time counselor for admissions, Margo is also an Aggie parent and understands the unique challenges students face in attending college. He is married to Yvonne M. Margo and together they have three daughters, Erika, Victoria and Sarah, each of whom have graduated from or are currently attending Texas A&M University.
He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Toastmasters International, the City of McAllen Advisory Board, a counselor/mentor at the Evins Juvenile Detention Center and part owner/director of Margo Ranch and RY Margo Properties.
Margo will serve as interim through the transition to the permanent home of the Higher Education Center ‒ McAllen at Tres Lagos, currently scheduled for summer 2018. A search for permanent director of the Higher Education Center will be conducted at that time.
