2020 News Updates

December 4, 2020

Time to Degree

More of our undergraduates are earning their degrees than ever before. Over the last decade, we've seen a 49% increase in the number of UTSA bachelor's degrees awarded. Read more  
November 24, 2020

Nazgol Bagheri: Mapping student success with compassion

In 1980’s war-torn Tehran, 1st grade teacher Mrs. Panahi faced every difficult day with a sense of hope and a smile of encouragement for her students, going so far as to open her home to her class when their school eventually closed. This considerate approach to teaching had a lasting impact on one student in particular: Nazgol Bagheri. By establishing caring connections with her students and utilizing experiential learning, Bagheri has an unwavering dedication to her students’ success and is a true inspiration within the fields of geography, urban planning and design, and education at large. Read more  
November 23, 2020

Jodi Peterson: Enriching minds, embracing equity, exemplifying excellence

Jodi Peterson is redefining what it means to be an exceptional teacher. In just over a decade at UTSA, Peterson has become one of the university’s most exemplary instructors, using adaptive and inclusive teaching methods to make a lasting impact on all her students. Read more  
November 20, 2020

Supporting Students Through Advising

Advising is an essential component of UTSA’s student success efforts. Read more  
November 6, 2020

2020: Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty

Faculty play a central role in the academic experience, progress and outcomes of our students in and out of the classroom — and serve a pivotal role as mentors and models of success. Read more  
November 6, 2020

Student Disability Services rises to meet student, faculty need during pandemic

Through determination and collaboration with Academic Innovation, the university’s Student Disability Services team rose to the challenge and ensured all online courses were accessible and inclusive, upholding the institution’s mission, vision and core values. Read more  
November 4, 2020

Sanders taking role as business dean at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

William Gerard “Gerry” Sanders, dean and Bodenstedt chair of the UTSA College of Business, has been named dean of Lee Business School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, effective January 1, 2021. Read more  
November 4, 2020

Commitment to student success helps earn UTSA’s first Quality Matters certification

Student success effort earns UTSA’s first Quality Matters certification Read more  
October 23, 2020

One year as a Creative Campus!

It's been one year since UTSA became an Adobe Creative Campus, a distinction held by only 38 universities worldwide Read more  
October 20, 2020

School of Data Science to innovate careers of data disruptors, leaders with new competition

SDS to innovate careers of data disruptors with new competition Read more  
October 8, 2020

Celebrating student success

As a next generation Hispanic-thriving, multicultural research institution where students from all backgrounds can excel, UTSA serves as a prosperity engine graduating world-engaged civic leaders of tomorrow. Read more  
October 6, 2020

Hugh Stevens named executive director to lead the Harvey E. Najim Innovation and Career Advancement Center

Hugh Stevens has been named executive director to lead the Harvey E. Najim Innovation and Career Advancement Center at UTSA. The new center is made possible by a $3 million gift to UTSA from San Antonio philanthropist Harvey Najim. Read more  
September 24, 2020

Bold promises kept!

In December 2019, UTSA launched the Bold Promise program to increase access to a college education for students from across Texas. Read more  
September 21, 2020

UTSA receives $3 million commitment for Najim career and innovation center

UTSA receives $3 million commitment for Najim career and innovation center Read more  
September 15, 2020

Diversifying our faculty

With the 2020-2021 cohort of new faculty, UTSA is making steady progress in efforts to enhance the diversity of our tenured/tenure-track faculty. Here is demographic data on the 64 T/TT new faculty who joined the university this fall. Read more  
September 8, 2020

Academic Success District initiative promotes collaborative learning

Academic Success District initiative promotes collaborative learning Read more  
September 4, 2020

Welcome to new faculty

With the new academic year, UTSA welcomed a new cohort of outstanding faculty. The 64 tenured/tenure-track faculty who joined the university this fall come from some of the most prestigious universities in the nation. Read more  
September 3, 2020

UTSA announces 2020–2021 faculty endowed fellowship recipients

UTSA Academic Affairs today named five faculty members who have been awarded endowed fellowships for the 2020–2021 academic year. Read more  
September 1, 2020

Randolph B. Quinn named executive director of Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship

UTSA welcomes Randolph B. Quinn as executive director of Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Academic Affairs’ division of Career-Engaged Learning. In this position, Quinn will work with the Office of Commercialization and Technology Transfer and multiple other stakeholders in and outside UTSA to advance student innovation and entrepreneurship across the university. Read more  
August 31, 2020

Rhonda M. Gonzales named a fellow of HACU’s La Academia de Liderazgo

For UTSA’s Rhonda M. Gonzales, her definition of leadership is a simple one: It’s creating pathways of success for others. Read more  
August 31, 2020

Academic Affairs launches virtual offices for fall 2020 semester

To keep our Roadrunner community safe this fall while remaining accessible, UTSA’s colleges and most academic support areas are offering virtual front desk services. Read more  
August 25, 2020

Student Success Center completed, to be future of supporting students through graduation

Student Success Center will support students through graduation Read more  
August 24, 2020

Appointment of Interim Head Curator at the Institute of Texan Cultures

UTSA Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy today announced the appointment of Veronica Rodriguez as Interim Head Curator to direct operations at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Read more  
August 20, 2020

Two UTSA programs recognized nationally for advancing equity for Latinos

UTSA programs recognized nationally for advancing equity for Latinos Read more  
August 20, 2020

Faculty never stop learning...

and UTSA faculty spent time this summer further honing their virtual course delivery skills in preparation for Fall 2020 to advance the success of our students. Read more  
August 17, 2020

UTSA ranks in top 3 in Texas for graduating Hispanic students

UTSA ranks in top 3 in Texas for graduating Hispanic students Read more  
August 12, 2020

Two UTSA professors recognized among top teachers across UT System

Two UTSA professors recognized among top teachers across UT System Read more  
August 7, 2020

UTSA Tomás Rivera Center expands to offer more intentional direct support to students

Since 1993, the Tomás Rivera Center for Student Success (TRC) has provided essential tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic success coaching, specialized programming, and other resources to help UTSA students achieve their academic goals. As the UTSA community prepares for a historic Fall 2020 semester, the TRC is evolving to meet the unique needs of a dynamic, diverse, and growing student population with data-informed, innovative and personalized student support programs. Read more  
August 7, 2020

UTSA provides August 7 digest of remote-operations news and tips

UTSA provides August 7 digest of remote-operations news and tips Read more  
August 4, 2020

University provides update on required public health compliance training

University provides update on required public health compliance training Read more  
August 4, 2020

How UTSA students will be learning this fall

UTSA students surveyed this spring and summer said they prefer online asynchronous learning and want more connection with their professors. Turns out, faculty missed engaging directly with their students, too! Read more  
August 4, 2020

Youths with history of foster care discover pathway to college

Youths with history of foster care discover pathway to college Read more  
August 4, 2020

UTSA faculty complete compassionate integrity training to aid students

UTSA faculty complete compassionate integrity training to aid students Read more  
July 30, 2020

Matrix AI Consortium for Human Well-Being launching at UTSA

Matrix AI Consortium for Human Well-Being launching at UTSA Read more  
July 28, 2020

University issues updates on planning for fall semester

University issues updates on planning for fall semester Read more  
July 22, 2020

UTSA, SAISD establish pathway to support high-achieving students

UTSA, SAISD establish pathway to support high-achieving students Read more  
July 16, 2020

Spring 2020 Degrees

I hope these regular “points of pride”—such as the Spring 2020 degree information below—will reinforce the great work you are all doing to support the success of our students. Read more  
June 12, 2020

Lisa Blazer accepts new position

UTSA senior associate vice provost for academic innovation, has accepted a position at Texas A&M University as associate vice president for enrollment services in the Division of Enrollment and Academic Services, effective July 1, 2020. Read more  
May 11, 2020

Sean Kelly to lead College for Liberal and Fine Arts

Dr. Sean Kelly, Dean of the Honors College and Professor of Philosophy and Classics since 2016, will lead as the Interim Dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, effective immediately. Read more  
May 4, 2020

Graduate School unveils special admissions program for UTSA undergraduates

Graduate School unveils special admissions program for UTSA undergraduates Graduate School unveils special admissions for UTSA undergrads Read more  
April 30, 2020

Summer faculty peer mentoring program focused on online instruction

Faculty Success will be piloting a new peer mentoring program this summer to support faculty who will be teaching online and who would like to join a team of faculty who are all learning and improving their skills in online instruction. Read more  
April 30, 2020

Update on Faculty Evaluations

We now have additional guidance from our consultation with Faculty Senate and the Academic College Deans; additionally, UT System has granted the extension of the tenure clock for tenure-track faculty to alleviate the stress that pre-tenure faculty may experience. Read more  
April 24, 2020

Two UTSA faculty named to leadership roles

UTSA announces the appointment of two UTSA faculty members to serve in newly created leadership roles Read more  
March 25, 2020

Faculty Success launches new mentoring program for UTSA educators

Faculty Success launches new mentoring program for UTSA educators Read more  
March 23, 2020

UTSA updates guidelines for campus laboratory research

UTSA updates guidelines for campus laboratory research Read more  
March 11, 2020

Coronavirus Update: Changes to academic schedule and instruction

As a follow up on the message from President Eighmy earlier today announcing that UTSA is extending spring break for students until March 23, 2020, and resuming all classes in an online format on that date. Read more  
March 11, 2020

Provost Espy informs university on managing student employees

Provost Espy informs university on managing student employees Read more  
March 10, 2020

A gesture goes a long way for UTSA’s Fostering Educational Success Center

A gesture goes a long way for UTSA’s Fostering Educational Success Center Read more  
March 6, 2020

University issues international travel update

University issues international travel update Read more  
March 5, 2020

Bizios elected to the prestigious Academy of Athens

Bizios elected to the prestigious Academy of Athens Read more  
March 4, 2020

New department to manage UTSA event spaces downtown

As UTSA continues to expand and better meet the needs of downtown San Antonio, the Downtown Conference Center and Buena Vista Theater will unify under the Division of Academic Innovation as Downtown Conferences and Events. Read more  
March 3, 2020

UTSA issues guidelines on coronavirus and spring break international travel

UTSA issues guidelines on coronavirus and spring break international travel Read more  
March 3, 2020

UTSA’s spring enrollment grows for fourth consecutive year

UTSA’s spring enrollment grows for fourth consecutive year Read more  
February 4, 2020

UTSA College of Engineering welcomes key new faculty

The UTSA College of Engineering welcomes new faculty Mario Flores and Karina Vielma for the Spring 2020 semester. Read more  
February 4, 2020

National Academy member Sergio Alcocer joins College of Engineering faculty

Sergio Alcocer, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, has joined the faculty of the UTSA College of Engineering as Professor of Civil Engineering. Read more  
January 21, 2020

College for Health, Community & Policy announces interim leadership

As the new College for Health, Community and Policy (HCaP) prepares to begin enrolling students in fall 2020, Interim Dean Lloyd Potter has announced the interim administrators who will guide the college through its beginning stages while a national search for the founding dean is conducted. Read more  
January 21, 2020

Seeking faculty applications for AVP for Faculty Diversity & Inclusion

This faculty mentoring and modeling role is particularly important for our Hispanic students, as well as other students from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education, and can have an even deeper impact when the faculty themselves are similarly from underrepresented groups. Read more  
January 21, 2020

Academic Affairs seeks nominations for Faculty Leadership Fellow Program

The program is designed specifically to enhance the career development of Fellows by providing an intensive one-on-one training and development experience to promote the next generation of diverse faculty leaders. Read more  
January 21, 2020

Faculty development opportunity to become an ACUE Teaching Fellow

UTSA has partnered with American College and University Educators (ACUE) to offer the Course in Effective Teaching Practices. This online course prepares university faculty to use the research-based techniques proven to help students succeed; it will be limited to 32 UTSA faculty participants and will be offered at no cost to the faculty member or their department, courtesy of sponsorship by UT System. Read more