UTEP's university press revived after 20 years

Published in Food and Wine on Friday, August 15th 2025 at 9:39 GMT by El Paso Times
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The University of Texas at El Paso announced this week that it is relaunching its university press after being inactive for nearly 20 years.

UTEP Revives University Press After Nearly 20-Year Hiatus

In a significant move for academic publishing and regional scholarship, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has announced the revival of its university press after an almost two-decade-long hiatus. The initiative, set to relaunch operations in the coming months, aims to reinvigorate the dissemination of scholarly works focused on the U.S.-Mexico border region, Chicano studies, and other areas of cultural and historical importance to the Southwest. This development marks a renewed commitment by UTEP to fostering intellectual discourse and preserving the unique narratives of the El Paso community and beyond.

The original UTEP University Press, established in the mid-20th century, played a pivotal role in publishing books that highlighted the binational dynamics of the borderlands. It produced a range of titles, from historical analyses of the Mexican Revolution's impact on Texas to contemporary explorations of immigration, environmental issues, and indigenous histories. However, financial constraints and shifting university priorities led to its suspension around 2005. During the hiatus, UTEP's academic output in book form was limited, with faculty often turning to external publishers or digital platforms to share their research. This gap left a void in specialized publishing that catered specifically to the university's mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) with deep ties to the border region.

The decision to revive the press comes amid a broader renaissance in university publishing, where institutions are increasingly recognizing the value of in-house presses for promoting diverse voices and countering the dominance of large commercial publishers. UTEP President Heather Wilson emphasized in a recent statement that the revival aligns with the university's strategic plan to enhance research impact and community engagement. "Our press will serve as a bridge between academia and the public, amplifying stories that might otherwise remain untold," Wilson said. The relaunch is supported by a combination of university funding, grants from organizations like the National Endowment for the Humanities, and partnerships with local cultural institutions such as the El Paso Museum of History.

Leading the revival is Dr. Maria Gonzalez, a professor of history at UTEP and the newly appointed director of the press. Gonzalez, whose own research focuses on border women's histories, brings extensive experience in scholarly editing and publishing. Under her guidance, the press plans to adopt a hybrid model that combines traditional print books with open-access digital editions, making content more accessible to global audiences. This approach addresses modern challenges in academic publishing, including rising costs and the need for inclusivity. Initial publications will include a series on border environmentalism, featuring works on the Rio Grande's ecological history, and a collection of oral histories from El Paso veterans of the civil rights movement.

The revival is not just about producing books; it's about building a sustainable ecosystem for scholarship. UTEP has allocated resources for editorial staff, including acquisitions editors and designers, and is establishing an advisory board comprising faculty from various disciplines, as well as external experts in publishing. Collaborations with other university presses, such as those at the University of Arizona and the University of New Mexico, are in the works to co-publish titles and share distribution networks. This networked approach is expected to amplify the reach of UTEP's publications, potentially placing them in major libraries and bookstores across the country.

One of the key motivations behind the revival is the growing demand for region-specific scholarship. El Paso, situated at the crossroads of the U.S. and Mexico, is a hub for studies on migration, trade, and cultural exchange. The press aims to fill gaps in these areas, particularly in underrepresented fields like Chicana/o literature and border art. For instance, upcoming titles include a monograph on the role of women in the 1960s Chicano movement in Texas and an anthology of contemporary border poetry. By prioritizing bilingual publications and translations, the press will cater to the bilingual population of the region, ensuring that Spanish-language scholarship is not sidelined.

Faculty and students at UTEP are enthusiastic about the opportunities this creates. Dr. Raul Ramirez, an associate professor of sociology, noted that the press will provide a platform for emerging scholars, including graduate students, to publish their theses and dissertations in polished book form. This could boost career prospects and contribute to tenure portfolios. Moreover, the press will host workshops on academic writing and publishing, fostering a new generation of authors attuned to the nuances of border studies.

The broader implications of UTEP's press revival extend to the academic publishing landscape. University presses have faced existential threats in recent years, with some institutions shuttering operations due to budget cuts. UTEP's move bucks this trend, demonstrating how smaller, mission-driven presses can thrive by focusing on niche topics with high cultural relevance. It also underscores the importance of public universities in preserving regional histories amid national narratives that often overlook peripheral areas like the borderlands.

Community leaders in El Paso have welcomed the news, viewing it as a boost to the city's intellectual and cultural profile. Local bookstores and libraries are already planning events to promote the press's inaugural releases, which could stimulate tourism and education in the area. Furthermore, the press's emphasis on open-access materials aligns with global trends toward democratizing knowledge, potentially influencing how other institutions approach publishing in the digital age.

As UTEP prepares for the official relaunch, tentatively scheduled for early 2026, the university is calling for manuscript submissions from scholars worldwide. The press's website, soon to be updated, will feature submission guidelines and a catalog of forthcoming titles. This revival not only resurrects a vital academic resource but also reaffirms UTEP's role as a leader in border studies, ensuring that the stories of the Southwest continue to be told, analyzed, and celebrated for generations to come.

In summary, the UTEP University Press's return after nearly 20 years signals a promising chapter for scholarly publishing. By blending tradition with innovation, it positions itself to make meaningful contributions to academia, culture, and public understanding, all while honoring the unique heritage of El Paso and the border region. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full El Paso Times Article at:
[ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/education/2025/08/15/utep-revives-university-press-after-nearly-20-year-hiatus/85662477007/ ]

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UTEP's university press revived after 20 years

UTEP Revives University Press After Nearly 20-Year Hiatus