In the last decade, you really see the modern Islander identity fully emerge. The campus leans confidently into the blue and green colors, coastal themes, and refreshed branding that define Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi today. During this time, the student population becomes even more diverse, more engaged, and more connected to the broader campus community. Campus life highlights a wide range of student organizations, intramurals and recreation activities, cultural programs, leadership opportunities, and strong academic and research involvement. The energy on campus becomes more vibrant and student-centered.

As someone working in Campus Recreation, it is especially exciting to see how rec sports, wellness programs, and student engagement have become essential parts of the student experience. Over the last decade, higher education has increasingly emphasized the importance of involvement not as an optional add-on, but as a core component of student development and retention. Students who feel connected, supported, and involved are more likely to succeed, and TAMU-CC reflects that shift. The university has grown into a place where getting involved is not only encouraged but is part of what defines the Islander experience.

Here’s what TAMU-CC’s student body looks like today. If you compare this to the early yearbooks, you can see a major shift in diversity, identity, and representation.

Our campus now reflects a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, and student experiences, and that richness shows up in everything from student organizations to campus events to the way the university markets itself. The contrast highlights how much the institution has grown and how its student population has expanded far beyond the small, mostly local group it once served.