Freshman Rohan Reed and his family were anxious in the lead-up to his move into a dorm at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Reed, 18, graduated from George H.W. Bush New Tech High School in Odessa at the end of May. After graduating, he enrolled at UTA as part of a program that will give him automatic acceptance into the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Liberal Arts.
Following a five-hour drive, Rohan entered West Hall ready for the next step in his life. The mechanical engineering major was one of thousands who swarmed the campus for UTA’s student move-in Aug. 14. Classes started Aug. 18.
“I’m excited to have time to spend on my own but to also learn who I am,” said Reed, who wants to pursue a career in environmental engineering.
Students and families emerge from a parking garage Aug. 14, 2025, at the University of Texas at Arlington. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)
UTA has seen an increase in first-year and overall student enrollment over the past few years.
In the next 10 years, the university hopes to raise its overall enrollment by around 10,000 students.
To meet demand, the university is revitalizing campus infrastructure and recently completed its newest dorm, Maverick Hall.
Students and families move into Maverick Hall on Aug. 14, 2025, at the University of Texas at Arlington. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)
Around 4,500 students will live in on-campus dorms this year, according to a news release.
Rohan’s father, Anthony Reed, wore a shirt adorned with his son’s face. He was a bit less anxious about the move after helping Rohan’s older sister move into her dorm at Southwestern University.
The move was still bittersweet.
Anthony Reed, right, helps his son, Rohan Reed, set up his new dorm room Aug. 14, 2025, in West Hall at the University of Texas at Arlington. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)
“He’s the baby,” Anthony Reed said while helping to organize Rohan’s room.
Rohan’s mother, Jerri Reed, said she was nervous about her youngest child leaving home, though the return of her daughter, Rose, from Southwestern helped.
Jerri Reed places sheets on a bed for her son, Rohan Reed, Aug. 14, 2025, in West Hall at the University of Texas at Arlington. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)
“It’s just tough as a parent,” Jerri Reed said, laying sheets on her son’s new dorm bed. “It’s just so typical, though. I’m not feeling anything that other parents aren’t.”
Despite her worries, Jerri Reed said she was excited to see what Rohan would do and hoped for the best as he completes his basic studies at UTA before moving to UT-Austin.
“Hopefully, he can just keep his head together and do what he needs to do to get there,” his mom said.
Chris Moss is a reporting fellow for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@fortworthreport.org.
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