The Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce (MLCIC) at UTEP serves as a hub for students interested in developing skills and gaining knowledge in entrepreneurship and innovation. With a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration, particularly at the intersection of business and engineering the MLCIC provides students with education, mentorship, and hands-on experiences that support startup development, personal and professional growth, and meaningful connections to the El Paso entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through this work, the Center advances regional economic growth by helping transform bold ideas into viable, impactful ventures.
One of the Center’s signature initiatives, the Mike Loya Graduate Research Fellows Program, is a premier cross-disciplinary program designed to prepare the next generation of visionary leaders. The program supports high achieving master’s students, known as Loya Fellows, by providing an annual stipend that allows them to engage in high-impact research in innovation and entrepreneurship while developing essential leadership skills. Beyond financial support, Fellows participate in collaborative projects, applied research, and experiential learning opportunities that bridge technical expertise with real-world problem solving.
Through Raise Your Pick Giving Day, the MLCIC is raising support to expand its impact and ensure that entrepreneurship is accessible to students from every college and field of study. Your contribution helps us provide funding to students for additional fellowships, regardless of major. These funds empower students to explore ideas, build solutions, and gain entrepreneurial skills that serve them in any career path.
Your investment does more than support a center or a program, it fuels possibility. By supporting the MLCIC, you are helping cultivate innovation, champion student potential, and empower the next generation of leaders ready to shape our region and beyond through entrepreneurial thinking and action.
