December Silver Bullet

Department of the Month:

What

How does your department help transfer students?

The Dean of Students (DOS) Office helps connect students to basic-needs resources on AND off campus. These can range from mental health concerns, housing insecurity, food insecurity, medical insurance, childcare, digital literacy and more. The DOS can also help advocate for temporary classroom accommodations for emergency situations like hospitalizations or a death in the family.

How many people are in your department and how many were transfer students?

The Dean of Students Office is an office of two right now: Zeak Naifeh the Dean of Students (not a transfer student) and the Administrative Coordinator Karissa Mitchem (transfer student).

What tip do you have for transfer students?

Use the resources available to you! Our campus is full of resources that were put in place to help you succeed. The university understands how difficult college can be without the added pressures of life. Departments like the Student Academic Success Center, Disability Support Services, the Student Counseling Center, the General’s Store (campus food pantry), and the Dean of Students Office are here to support students. We are only here for you! People are great resources too. There is a campus full of people who are going through the struggle of being a student just like you. Lean on a Silver Liner mentor, a student organization (and advisor) or just your classmates. Having a strong support system can make all the difference on your college experience.

AaronGuerrero

Civic Engagement Coordinator, Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement

What did your undergraduate journey look like?

I am a first-generation student and the first and only person in my family to earn an undergraduate degree.

I started by going to community college, Temple Junior College, for my basics. I then transferred to Sam Houston State University to finish my undergraduate degree, with a Major in History and a Double Minor in Spanish and English. While I did well in my classes at community college, I had trouble with the application, deadlines, filling out my FAFSA, and just the college paperwork in general. While my parents wanted to be helpful, they were ESL (English as a Second Language) and were even more lost than I was. However, I asked for help through the different campus services and staff and figured things out. My transition to SHSU was a tough one that first semester as I was away from home for the first time, and the classes were more difficult. However, once I became involved and made some friends, things really improved. This is also a main reason that I am a Mentor in the AIMM program for minority males. I would have loved a program like this when I was a college student.

Our center provides students with tools such as meeting with career advisors, interview prep, resume building, internships, experiential learning classes and more to be prepared for the workforce after graduation. We also have resources such as the General’s Store food pantry and Career Closet for students to use while on campus. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in city-wide marches such as the MLK Day March, Cesar Chavez march, and Pride marches as well registering to vote and being able to vote on campus during early voting and on election day. Students also given regular opportunities to volunteer for local nonprofits around San Antonio, as well as our annual campus wide days of service each Fall and Spring.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to read; John Grisham is my favorite author. I love camping, and actually just came back from camping trip at Garner State Park over the Thanksgiving Break. I also love singing to songs in my car and shower, karaoke, and looove loooove loooove spending time with my 9 year old pup, Luna.

What is your title and what department do you work for?

What is the significance of the dept. you work in and how does it help students?

MemberOfThe Month

How else are you involved on campus? President of Catholic Student Association, mentor for the silverliners, MASA, FAE, NSLS. On top of all that I work on campus for the Transfer Student Engagement Department.

When and how has it impacted you?

I joined Tau Sigma Spring 2021, it has impacted me tremendously. I have learned so much about myself and being a leader of an organization. My confidence not only in myself but in communication has grown so much because of Tau Sigma. I'm extremely thankful for my time with the organization.

Congrulations

Ring Day Recipients

L i g h t s o f E s p e r a n z a

Congrats to our graduating seniors!

Lauren Huerta

Prieto

ALAMO LIGHTS (THE ALAMO) NOV 25TH JAN 2ND CHRISTMAS AT THE CAVERNS (NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS) DEC 3-4, 10-11, 16-23 CRUMBLING CASTLE LIGHTS (COMFORT, TX) NOV 18TH- JAN 1ST ELF ACRES (1475 GROSENBACHER RD) NOV 18TH- JAN 8TH FIESTA DE NAVIDAD (WINDCREST) DEC 3RDDEC 31ST LIGHTS ALIVE! (ALAMO RANCH) NOV 18THDEC 25TH LIGHTSCAPE (SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN) NOV 11TH- JAN 1 ST MORGAN’S WONDERLAND A WONDERLAND CHRISTMAS NOV 25TH – DEC 23RD OLD WEST CHRISTMAS LIGHT FEST (BOERNE) NOV 24TH- DEC 24TH RIVER WALK NOV 25TH 6PM – JAN 9TH DAWN ROTARY ICE RINK (TRAVIS PARK) NOV 18THJAN 16TH SAN ANTONIO ZOO NOV 19TH- JAN 1ST SANTA’S RANCH IN NEW BRAUNFELS NOWJAN 1ST SEA WORLD SAN ANTONIO NOV 10TH – JAN 2ND THE LIGHT PARK (SELMA) NOV 4TH- JAN 1ST TRAIL OF LIGHTS (AUSTIN- ZILKER PARK) DEC 8TH -23RD (EXCLUDING MONDAYS) WALKWAY OF LIGHTS (MARBLE FALLS) NOV 18TH- DEC 31ST

Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio

FALL 2022 COMMENCEMENT

CLASS OF 2022

December 18, 2022 College of Business & Collage of Education- 10 am College of Arts and Sciences- 4pm Freeman Coliseum