The Carlos Truan Natural Resource Center, or NRC, is named for Corpus Christi’s former state senator. It houses Human Resources and is a hub for staff, faculty, and student workers. It is also a hidden gem for some unique specialties and services including the Commission on Environmental Quality; Center for Coastal Studies; Corpus Christi Bay National Estuary program; and Facilities of the Center for Water Supplies Studies.
Also located here is the nationally recognized facility for oil spill research activities. The National Spill Control School is where response personnel, industrial workers, and military personnel are trained in specialized hands-on OSHA trainings for Oil Spill, HAZMAT, and Emergency Management industries to deal with spills. In addition to prevention, planning, and response training, the NSCS supports the National Response Team's Strike Force with consulting and research.