Adelante Spring 2024 Issue

THE MAGAZINE OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY–SAN ANTONIO

¡ADELANTE!

Since joining the Texas A&M University-San Antonio community last August, I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much about the University’s rich history. It’s an inspirational story of a bold vision and a dream realized through the belief, dedication and service of those who built the foundation for what is now a thriving institution. In celebration of A&M-San Antonio’s 15th anniversary, this issue of ¡ADELANTE! shines a spotlight on some of those trailblazers and pioneers without whom the University would not be what it is today.

Looking back, it’s truly remarkable how far we’ve come in a relatively short time. The University was o cially established as a stand-alone institution in 2009, after which work got underway to develop our nearly 700-acre campus. By the time the first academic building opened two years later, we had about 3,500 students. Today, we have nearly 8,000 students and more than 15,000 alumni. I hope you’ll enjoy reading more about our brief, but impressive, history and the people who made it all possible.

While this issue is dedicated to A&M-San Antonio’s vibrant heritage, I’d like to take this opportunity to also bring attention to some of the opportunities that lie ahead. As enrollment continues to grow, we’re scheduled to open a second residence hall and our first dedicated student recreation center this summer. Earlier this month, we broke ground on a new Public Health and Education Building and we’ll soon begin construction of new athletic facilities and a multipurpose field. The University also added men’s and women’s basketball to our intercollegiate athletics program. I hope we’ll see many of you at our first home games this fall!

It’s an exciting and pivotal time at Texas A&M University-San Antonio but the road ahead wouldn’t look nearly so promising without the many contributions of those who came before. As I reflect on A&M-San Antonio’s past and contemplate its future, I am acutely aware of the privilege it is to lead this University and to chart its path for the future. I am honored to have been entrusted with the legacy of the pioneers, trailblazers and di erence-makers you will read about in this issue.

Mil gracias,

Dr. Salvador Hector Ochoa

President

As we celebrate what Texas A&M University-San Antonio has become, it’s instructive to look back on the visionaries whose hard work brought us here.

That’s why I am so glad to see ¡ADELANTE! focus on 15 people and groups who played key roles in Texas A&M-San Antonio’s growth. I think you’ll find their stories are inspiring.

Texas A&M-San Antonio was born with a unique mission to serve South San Antonio’s underserved communities with high-quality, life-changing education. It has become one of the fastest-growing universities in The Texas A&M University System, and its potential is boundless.

But without trailblazers like Sen. Frank Madla and national figures like Henry G. Cisneros, this campus would not exist.

While the focus here is on transforming the lives of our students, Texas A&M-San Antonio has also transformed South San Antonio. Just look at the growth around campus today — new neighborhoods, a new hospital and more.

I am proud to say that Texas A&M-San Antonio is more than fulfilling its mission and its promise to South San Antonio. And the best is yet to come.

John Sharp Chancellor Texas A&M University System

Innovators AND Pioneers Trailblazers,

LOOKING BACK AND MOVING FORWARD

During my inaugural Convocation address as president of Texas A&M-San Antonio, I took a moment to recognize “The Pioneers,” the dedicated sta and faculty members who have devoted 15 years or more to Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

These remarkable individuals, some of whom are featured in this issue (identified by a pawprint icon), are not just part of our University’s history — they are the architects of the foundation upon which we now build our future.

In this special 15th-anniversary edition of ¡ADELANTE!, we tell the story of the University from the early advocates led by Sen. Frank Madla and the pioneers who carried on the important work to those who helped us achieve later milestones like welcoming our first freshman class in 2016. The 15 profiles that follow pay tribute to these trailblazers, innovators and pioneers who believed in the transformative power of education and recognized the immense potential for a university situated in our south San Antonio community.

Reflecting on this journey, I can’t help but imagine Sen. Frank Madla would be pleased and so proud of what has been accomplished at A&M-San Antonio in just 15 short years. In the following pages, you’ll read about several of the contributors who played a part in the realization of the incredible vision upon which the University is built.

Blazing a Trail TO CHANGE LIVES

By Sam Boykin

Harold Oliver

Cindy Taylor

Senator Frank L. Madla, Jr.

Harold Oliver and Sen. Madla

While A&M-San Antonio is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the seeds for the University were planted some five decades ago. It all started when a young Frank L. Madla Jr., elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1972, began campaigning to establish a public university on San Antonio’s South Side.

The area, largely Hispanic, had long been underserved and struggled with poverty and a stagnant economy. Madla, who grew up near Helotes, was determined to change that, despite seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Madla began his quest by co-sponsoring bills pushing for legislative mandates to improve access for minority students to higher education through changes to admission policies and improved financial aid opportunities.

The mandates became law, but funding was slow to come. Eventually, with bipartisan and community support, Palo Alto Community College opened in 1985. About a decade later, UTSA opened a new downtown campus. This inspired Madla to increase his legislative e orts to establish a four-year institution on the South Side.

In 1995, Madla enlisted his childhood friend and San Antonio native Greg Garcia as his campaign manager. Garcia graduated from Texas A&M University in 1962 and previously served as the assistant vice chancellor for governmental a airs for The Texas A&M University System.

Garcia and Madla worked together closely as they pursued the “pathway model” to bring a new public university to San Antonio. This required a local community college to partner with a university system that could o er upper-division courses. Certain enrollment benchmarks also had to be met before any financial investments could be made in the new university.

Madla and Garcia identified Palo Alto as the perfect partner. Madla enlisted his young legislative aide, Harold Oliver, to help oversee the details of the complex planning process.

“I grew up on the South Side, and there were a few things that were always lacking in that sector, including an institution of higher education,” said Oliver, who worked in federal law enforcement before joining Madla’s o ce in 1994. “Everybody talked about the problem, but this was a chance to take that first step and do something about it.”

Oliver joined Madla and Garcia to develop bills, riders, and legislative and community support for the establishment of the A&M-San Antonio campus. Initially, the trio faced opposition, Oliver explained, with some outspoken critics saying that the city didn’t need another public university, especially on the largely rural South Side.

Nonetheless, the project started to gain support, including from the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. For several years, the Chamber’s then-CEO Cindy Taylor had been spearheading a grassroots campaign to bolster diverse housing, sustainable economic development and accessibility to higher education on the South Side.

“Among those three anchors, we really needed accessibility to higher ed,” she said. “We spoke to every group we could. There wasn’t a chamber of commerce, nonprofit organization, neighborhood group or Lions Club that we missed.”

The project continued to gain momentum as Madla successfully raised funds for the “A&M Project” during multiple legislative sessions, helping support the planning and development of the curriculum. Then, in 2000, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved The Texas A&M University System’s plan to create a System Center on the Palo Alto Community College campus. Classes started that fall with 126 students. The institution eventually outgrew its portable buildings at Palo Alto, and the campus relocated to the former Olivares Elementary School in 2007.

LEFT: Greg Garcia and Sen. Frank L. Madla Jr. BELOW: Harold Oliver and Sen. Madla

Meanwhile, thanks to Madla’s persistence, legislation was finally passed in 2006 with an appropriation of $40 million for the construction of the planned A&M-San Antonio University. The following year, Verano Land Group donated 694 undeveloped acres just o Interstate 410 for the University’s permanent campus. The final puzzle piece was put in place when Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2007 signed legislation establishing the University as a stand-alone institution.

“From the time I started on the project it was literally about a 10-year process before the University was o cially established,” Oliver said.

Taylor, who worked with Oliver and Madla during this period, said the creation of the University was all the more satisfying given how much opposition it faced.

“Some people told us we were never going to make it,” she said. “They assumed all Southsiders were just going to be janitors or cooks or waitresses. They thought it was all a pipe dream. But we were determined to make it happen despite the negative perceptions. So we built it, and I’ll be damned if they didn’t come.”

Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier, who had previously worked as executive director of the Southwest ISD and Southwest ISD Foundation Board, was appointed executive director of the System Center-San Antonio in 2008. Two years later she was appointed as A&M-San Antonio’s inaugural president.

As Ferrier developed a mission statement and strategic plan, the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Foundation was established in 2008 to facilitate funding for the University. Oliver was chosen as its inaugural chairman. In its first year, the Foundation raised more than $1.6 million in scholarship funds. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has partnered with the University to raise nearly $13 million in philanthropic support and has awarded scholarships to more than 6,700 students.

The University’s first structure, the Senator Frank L. Madla Building, opened in 2011. While Madla and Garcia have both passed away, their dedication and trailblazing e orts have resulted in a beautiful, vibrant campus that today serves about 7,620 students. Moreover, the University continues to expand its footprint and has become an increasingly vital institution of higher education and a driving force for economic change throughout the region.

“It’s a remarkable transformation,” said Oliver. “I’m like a proud papa every time I visit the campus. It’s exciting to be able to say I was a part of that.”

“We defied expectations,” Taylor added. “And today thousands of kids have graduated from the University, and it’s changed the lives of so many families. It’s pretty amazing.”

The Pioneers

Part of the foundation upon which the University is built, these pioneers have been with A&M-San Antonio for at least 15 years.

FACULTY

Dr. Gary Coulton (1999)

Dr. Josephine Sosa-Fey (2001)

Dr. Katherine Welsh (2004)

Dr. Robin Kapavik (2006)

Dr. Amy Bohmann (2008)

Dr. William Bush (2008)

Dr. Dennis Elam (2008)

Dr. Durant Frantzen (2008)

Dr. Richard Green (2008)

Dr. Syed Harun (2008)

Jenny Moore (2008)

Lisa Siegl (2008)

Dr. John Smith (2008)

Dr. Brian Brantley (2009)

Dr. Theresa Garfield (2009)

Dr. Adrian Guardia (2009)

Dr. Scott Peters (2009)

Dr. Amy Porter (2009)

Dr. Robert Vinaja (2009)

STAFF

Joni Foster (2003)

Roberto Lopez (2007)

Shane Donley (2008)

Paula Garcia (2008)

Melissa Beene (2009)

Lloyd Butler (2009)

Betty Ponce (2009)

Abigail Varga (2009)

Betty Villegas (2009)

“We de ed expectations.”

- Cindy Taylor

“It’s a remarkable transformation.”

- Harold Oliver

A SENSE OF A

By David DeKunder

Belonging

s one of the founding sta members at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Joni Foster has played a critical role in the development of the University.

Foster has served the Texas A&M-San Antonio community for 20 years, starting as a temporary secretary in the admissions o ce, which was then part of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville System Center-San Antonio at Palo Alto College. Since 2004, she has been the assistant to the chief academic o cer.

She remembers working in the admissions o ce, which was housed in a cramped space at Palo Alto College.

“We were all in a small storage area in the Palo Alto cafeteria,” Foster said. “We had dividers up to give us some sort of space. We had a copier there. We had a front desk area, and the rest were partitions.”

After working for a year in the admissions o ce, Foster transitioned from a temporary position to a full-time sta member in the academic administrative o ce as an administrative assistant to Dr. Garry Ross, the then-executive director and dean of Academic and Student A airs.

During her time at the University, Foster has supported seven chief academic o cers and helped the administration on many projects that have impacted the University, including when A&M-San Antonio earned its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 2014.

Foster also served on the University’s inaugural sta council in 2010 and has served several times since then. The council is the voice for the University’s sta members and brings whatever concerns and issues sta members have to the attention of the O ce of the President.

Foster has developed such a deep connection to A&M-San Antonio that she has a brick as a founding sta member in the courtyard near the Sen. Frank Madla statue. Her mother, Brenda Hubert, does too. Hubert worked at Texas A&M University-Kingsville System Center-San Antonio and earned a bachelor’s degree from the system center.

In fact, Foster said her mother, who grew up near the Palo Alto campus, encouraged her to move back to Texas and join the mission to bring a four-year University to the southside of San Antonio.

“She called me and said there’s an A&M campus in San Antonio. You’ve got to come!”

Foster and her mother both worked at the University from 2003 to 2008, and Foster’s daughter graduated from A&M-San Antonio in 2014.

“This is home for me,” she said. “This is where I belong. Whether you are faculty, sta or student, you are important here. I think that’s what keeps me at A&M-San Antonio.”

“Whether you are faculty, sta or student, you are important here. I think that’s what keeps me at A&M-San Antonio.”

Educators ONE STUDENT AT A TIME Future Shaping

By Edmond Ortiz

Dr. Robin Kapavik recalls how excited she was when Texas A&M University first decided to build a campus in San Antonio.

For her, the University was a family a air. Kapavik graduated from Texas A&M University in 1996 with a master’s in educational administration. Her father, Thomas Robinson, graduated from Texas A&M in 1968, and her grandfather, Howard Grey Robinson, was a member of Texas A&M’s Class of 1929.

Kapavik has many memories of spending time with her father in College Station. “When I was a kid, he would take me to football games and the A&M bonfire. He taught me all the traditions and the respect people have for the University,” Kapavik said.

“For example, you remove your hat when you walk into the [Memorial Student Center]. Also, you don’t walk on the grass [around MSC]. My dad would take me to the building where he or my grandfather had classes. It became a family tradition, and it means something to me.”

As an original faculty member who joined the University in 2006, Kapavik said she strives to convey that reverence for Texas A&M and its traditions as professor and chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M-San Antonio.

Her primary research interests involve social studies education and teacher preparation for the profession. So, she revels in educating aspiring teachers.

Kapavik said education students at A&M-San Antonio have dreamed of becoming educators and are committed to a lifelong dedication to the profession. She remembers when she first began teaching at the University, meeting aspiring educators who drove from towns such as Boerne, Castroville, Floresville and Pleasanton, just to attend class in San Antonio.

“These individuals truly wanted to be teachers. For them, an education degree was a ticket to changing their lives. It was a ticket they could use to create those generational traditions within their families that my family got to have,” Kapavik said. “It’s been very inspiring to work with people who didn’t see an education degree as Plan B but saw it as a Plan A.”

Kapavik helped to develop a student organization for education majors — a requirement asked of each College of Education within The Texas A&M System.

A&M-San Antonio’s student organization, Jags TEACH, was created in the fall of 2022 to extend resources and a sense of community to education students who want to become service teachers. Jags TEACH also partners with local high school chapters of the Texas Association of Future Educators to steer high school students toward the teaching profession.

“The organization’s goal is to provide information because I worry about a lack of communication between faculty and students. Jags TEACH helps us to communicate with students because sometimes students would rather hear from fellow students,” Kapavik says.

Kapavik feels many A&M-San Antonio students, not just education majors, enjoy attending the South Side University because it supports an underserved area.

As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, she believes A&M-San Antonio is able to reinforce the heritage of many local students, and this especially motivates education students to grow their careers in San Antonio.

“I think what makes Texas A&M-San Antonio unique is that our students are from this area and want to teach in this area. This is their home, their [educational] system, their community,” Kapavik said.

FORGING A PATH OF Leadership

AND Legacy

By Mariah Gonzalez

Ben Zeller, an 8th-generation Texan deeply rooted in the Lone Star State, has carved a distinguished path in his career and community service. After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Houston-Victoria, he received a Master of Business Administration from A&M-San Antonio, earning a spot in the University’s inaugural graduating class of 2009.

Zeller said A&M-San Antonio served as a springboard for him professionally, helping him excel as a credit analyst at Wells Fargo and later as a senior loan officer at Texas Dow Employees Credit Union.

Next, he transitioned to public service. In 2014, at 30 years old, he was elected as the Victoria County judge, making him one of the youngest county judges in Texas. For his many accomplishments, A&M-San Antonio gave him the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018.

“A&M-San Antonio equals opportunity,” said Zeller, who lives in Victoria County with his wife, Jamie, and their three children. “As the University has grown over the years, so have the opportunities it offers everyone.”

Zeller said he also appreciates that A&M-San Antonio is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that enrolls a diverse student body and works toward improving the educational attainment gap in Texas. “If you look at education from a public policy perspective, Texas still lags in educational attainment overall,” he said. “The University fills a critical void and serves an important need.”

Zeller’s legacy as a distinguished alumnus is a testament to the transformative power of education and the impact individuals can have on their communities.

In addition to his role as county judge, he has served as president of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, as well as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response and TxDOT’s I-69 Advisory Committee.

His recent involvement in establishing the Crossroads Regional Public Defender’s Office underscores his commitment to improving access to legal representation for indigent criminal defendants.

When Zeller attended A&M-San Antonio, the University was quite different. The campus was at the former Olivares Elementary School, where it moved in 2007 after opening at Palo Alto Community College in 2000.

While Zeller didn’t have the opportunity to attend classes at the University’s current 700-acre campus, he said he appreciates how A&MSan Antonio has evolved and its critical role as a South Side institution of higher education.

“It’s really exciting to see the growth, the success, the degree programs, the sports programs and the impact that it’s having in the community and across the state,” he said. “The students today are fortunate. Even though I didn’t get to experience the new campus firsthand, I have no regrets at all.”

CTO Classroom FROM Combat

By Kiko Martinez

huck Rodriguez has worked for decades in higher education and has an illustrious military career. He served as a U.S. Army commissioned officer for 33 years, retiring in 2009 as a major general.

After the military, Rodriguez transitioned to A&M-San Antonio, where he served as vice president and chief of staff, strategic initiatives and military affairs, from 2009 to 2015. In the position, he engaged with government officials on behalf of the University president regarding public policy changes and reforms dealing with student financial aid and workforce training funding.

“I was glad to assist not only in fundraising but … working to line up resources that would be essential for the long-term growth of A&M-San Antonio,” Rodriguez said. “We started bringing a lot of good people together and some good outside money.”

Rodriguez, who is currently an assistant professor of nonprofit management at Our Lady of the Lake University, focused on fundraising at the time, as well as registering more students for classes on the new campus.

“The big job was to get more buildings and grow our enrollment,” he said. “We chased that goal really hard and did it by being supportive and opportunistic.”

While at A&M-San Antonio, Rodriguez oversaw the University’s Human Resources office, facilitating institutional strategic planning and helping establish A&M-San Antonio as a military-embracing campus.

The University adopted the concept of “military-embracing” early on, Rodriguez said. “What I brought into it immediately was setting up the conditions and the environment to be successful. It wasn’t just about serving the veterans and the ROTC students. It was also about their families.”

These early efforts evolved into what is known today as the Patriots’ Casa, A&M-San Antonio’s stand-alone building for military-connected students, which opened in 2014. Rodriguez wanted to give these students a place to get the support they needed in college, including financial aid and mental health services.

“It wasn’t just about a place where they could play ping pong,” Rodriguez said. “We have vets who go in to talk to professionals about the anxieties they have. The Patriots’ Casa is my proudest engagement. We did it as a team.”

Rodriguez’s legacy will forever be connected to the pioneers who put A&M-San Antonio on the map. What he and his colleagues accomplished will never be forgotten, especially by the students who are taking advantage of such a fine institution.

“A&M-San Antonio students are folks who are reconnecting and trying to find their footing so they can get out there and do good for themselves and their families,” he said. “When we’re talking about this community, we’re talking about a lot of heart.”

“I saw myself in these students because many were just like me.”

LAYING THE Foundation

When Texas A&M University-San Antonio inaugurated Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier as its first president in 2010, the first building of what would be the main campus had yet to be completed.

Ferrier helped lay the foundation of what would become A&M-San Antonio even before she became president. In 2008, she served as executive director of the System Center-San Antonio, which preceded A&M-San Antonio and was housed at a former elementary school on the South Side. In that post, Ferrier sought to increase awareness and enrollment of the Texas A&M System Center in the community. Within a year, student enrollment had increased to 1,500 students, comprising upper-level classes — juniors and seniors.

“I had an amazing team of both faculty and sta ,” Ferrier said. “It was a very tight-knit group that was really committed to the South Side and the students.”

A&M-San Antonio became a stand-alone university in 2009 when Gov. Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 629.

In 2011, the development of the University’s new 694-acre campus o Loop 410 started to take shape with the completion of the first structure, the Senator Frank L. Madla Building. The building bears the name of the late state senator who wrote the legislation that led to the creation of A&M-San Antonio.

By David DeKunder

Development of the campus continued under Ferrier, as funds were secured for the construction of the Central Academic Building, an auditorium and the Patriots’ Casa, a center that provides academic and career support skills for student veterans and military personnel and families enrolled at A&M-San Antonio.

Ferrier also advocated for the TEAMSA program, which helped to streamline credit hours for students transferring from Alamo Colleges to A&M-San Antonio.

Raised on the West Side of San Antonio, Ferrier didn’t go to college until the age of 30, when she was a single mother with two children. She would earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Our Lady of the Lake University, and later a doctorate from Texas A&M University.

“I saw myself in these students because many were just like me,” Ferrier said. “I knew their potential, and so did the faculty and sta . We wanted the entire community, not only the South Side but also all of San Antonio, to learn about A&M-San Antonio and to embrace it and embrace our students.”

Ferrier left A&M-San Antonio in 2014 when she was named Texas A&M System Director of Mexico Relations. She is retired and currently lives in Mexico.

FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SETTING THE Stage

By David DeKunder

Dr. Mirley Balasubramanya has served in several administrative posts during his time at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, from helping the University expand its student body to supporting the institution’s strong presence in the field of cybersecurity.

Balasubramanya has had six di erent titles since starting at A&M-San Antonio in 2012. A physicist, his first role at the University was head of the School of Arts and Sciences. He didn’t hold that title for long, though, as he became the inaugural dean of the College of Arts and Sciences within a year. In addition, Balasubramanya has served as the chair of three departments, each of which was new when he took them over.

Now in his 12th year at the University, Balasubramanya is the chair of the Department of Computational Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and the director of Innovation and Industry Partnerships.

With 32 years as a professor and academic administrator, Balasubramanya played a crucial role in supporting the University in obtaining its accreditation to become a comprehensive four-year campus. That process started in 2015, as the University transformed from an upper-division institution, composed of primarily junior and senior students, to an open campus with freshmen and sophomores. Balasubramanya also supported the University’s plans to add more faculty and add entry and core-level courses for the incoming freshmen.

“That meant we had to put together the general education core curriculum, which is the mainstay of the first two years of the college experience,” Balasubramanya said. “So, that was an important task for me between 2015-16. The entire process had to be facultydriven, but the faculty still required guidance and leadership in putting together the general education core curriculum, and that took many of my workdays during that period.”

In February 2016, the plan for a comprehensive four-year campus expansion was approved and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This organization accredits degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern United States.

Currently, Balasubramanya said one of his goals is to support faculty in making A&M-San Antonio a destination University for cybersecurity.

“I’m chairing a department where we are producing graduates in high demand in the San Antonio computing and cybersecurity area,” he said. “San Antonio happens to be the second major city in the country for cybersecurity. That is an important responsibility to me to make sure our students are being educated and trained in the latest strategies and tools in cybersecurity.”

Transformation LEADING THROUGH

By David DeKunder

As the second president of Texas A&M-San Antonio, Dr. Cynthia TenienteMatson led the University’s growth and transformation beginning in 2015. During her eight-year tenure, the University added several buildings and developed partnerships with local entities that expanded the University’s presence in the community.

Teniente-Matson took over the reins of A&M-San Antonio after serving as vice president for administration and chief financial o cer at California State University, Fresno. Becoming president of A&M-San Antonio was like a homecoming for Teniente-Matson, a San Antonio native raised on the South Side.

“It was just a very attractive opportunity,” she said. “I loved every minute of being the leader at A&M-San Antonio.”

When she took over as University president, she prioritized the transition from an institution of upper-division students — juniors, seniors and graduate students — to becoming a comprehensive four-year university with the addition of freshmen and sophomores as directed by John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. The University welcomed its first freshman class in 2016, the second year of Teniente-Matson’s presidency.

She saw the build-out of the A&M-San Antonio campus with new buildings, including the Science and Technology Building and Esperanza Hall, the first residence hall on campus, as well as the groundbreaking for a new academic and administration building in 2019.

During Teniente-Matson’s tenure, A&M-San Antonio entered into many partnerships. In 2022, the University signed an agreement with Texas A&M University Health Science Center and University Health, which plans to build its University Health Institute of Public Health and 256-bed hospital near the west entrance to A&M-San Antonio. In turn, the Texas A&M System Board of Regents approved $45 million to construct the University’s Public Health and Education Building, which is scheduled to open in 2026.

Teniente-Matson said the partnership with Texas A&M Health Science Center and University Health will create educational pathways and research opportunities in the medical field.

Also, in 2022, the University entered into an agreement with the San Antonio River Authority to develop a nature park on a 379-acre tract near Cassin Lake and Mission Espada on the South Side. The agreement will allow A&M-San Antonio students to conduct research at the proposed park site.

“It allowed us to lift our educational component and preserve the river along that historical corridor,” Teniente-Matson said. “It was a great opportunity to expand the University’s environmental sustainability programs and biology research opportunities at Cassin Lake.”

A BEACON OF

By David DeKunder

Enlightenment

Through his teachings and actions, Dr. Edward Westermann has opened a new world of possibilities for students at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

The former Air Force colonel has been a history professor at the University since 2010, when it was still housed at the former Olivares Elementary School. He said that as a professor, whether teaching at the former elementary school or the current University campus, he appreciated how his students approached their education.

“I’ve taught at other institutions, and what I really appreciate about our student body is the kind of enthusiasm they have for learning,” Westermann said. “We have a number of students who are going to school that have families who are working. When you think about trying to balance all of those requirements — the dedication it takes on the part of our students — it is fantastic to be in a classroom with students dedicated to learning.”

Westermann is a Regent Professor of History, the highest award bestowed by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, recognizing professors considered exemplary in teaching, research and service. Moreover, the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation in 2023 named Westermann a Piper Professor, an annual award that recognizes outstanding professors for their exceptional teaching at the collegiate level.

Westermann is also a noted author and expert in modern European history, the Holocaust, and war and society. His book, “Drunk on Genocide: Alcohol and Mass Murder in Nazi Germany,” earned the International Book Prize from the Yad Vashem’s International Institute for Holocaust Research in 2023. Yad Hashem — the World Holocaust Remembrance Center — is located in Jerusalem.

Westermann said teaching about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany and how prejudice and racism played a role in both the rise of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust are topics students can relate to in contemporary times.

“They shaped our world in the 20th century, but they continue to shape the way in which we see contemporary society and contemporary world politics,” Westermann said. “To understand those types of topics, I think, allows students to gain an understanding of the present world in a more sophisticated way.”

From 2014 to 2016, Westermann served as director of the University’s international education program, which provides financial support to students for international travel as part of their educational experience. He said the program allowed students, who may not have had the opportunity otherwise, the chance to go overseas and experience a new culture while earning credit hours.

In 2018, Westermann was inducted into the Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators, which recognized his contributions in helping to develop secondary school teachers who will be teaching history and social studies in the classroom.

Growing a Culture

OF LEADERSHIP

By David DeKunder

When Henry Cisneros was asked to create an institute to provide leadership opportunities for students in his hometown, he did not hesitate. In 2018, he gave a $1 million gift to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents for the establishment of the Dr. Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders.

Cisneros, the former San Antonio mayor and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said it was Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, then president of A&M-San Antonio, who approached him with the idea. “I was honored to be asked,” Cisneros said. “I knew the need existed, and we could do some good.”

The Cisneros Institute houses programs and organizations that foster the development of student leaders and help them improve their leadership skills.

Through the Institute, Cisneros, a 1968 graduate of Texas A&M University, said he wants to provide students with the same leadership opportunities he received in college.

“I recall my days at A&M,” Cisneros said, “where I learned as much outside the classroom in student activities as I did in the classroom that have served me well my entire life. Much of that confidence and knowledge of how to proceed came from those student activities. I’m very certain that has been a major contributor to my path, and I hope it is for the students.”

Cisneros said the Institute has positively impacted those students who have been able to participate in its programs and activities.

“I’m most proud of when I attend the graduation ceremonies or the fulfillment of some of these programs and watch the students express what they have learned, take pride and show new confidence,” Cisneros said. “I’m proud of when we’re able to open up a sense of confidence and self-awareness with students who didn’t have those abilities before they were exposed to leadership development.”

Cisneros said it is essential that the Institute continue to expand its programs and opportunities to develop leadership skills for those students who will be leaders of tomorrow.

He said he hopes the leadership training students receive through the Institute will profoundly impact San Antonio, the state and the nation.

“Everything we want for the future, every good thing we want to achieve for the future and society requires leaders,” he said. “Students, young people who today are in school, in the next 10, 20, 30, and 40 years will be the decision-makers and the leaders. Everything we want to accomplish is enhanced, and we put within our reach if we create good leaders.”

LDRAWING A Financial Blueprint FOR THE FUTURE

loyd Butler felt like he had found his calling in higher education as the senior budget analyst at Texas A&M-Kingsville. However, when Butler was given the opportunity to create a payroll department from the ground up at the new A&M-San Antonio campus, he dove in.

“I was pretty satisfied in Kingsville,” Butler said. “I talked myself out of the job in San Antonio a few times, but then I finally interviewed, and it was a good fit. The transition was good. I had support from both sides.”

In the past, Butler has held the titles of director of payroll services and executive director of budget and payroll. Currently, he is the senior budget analyst for the division of academic a airs at A&M-San Antonio. In his position, he is in charge of coordinating legislative appropriations requests, preparing the annual operating budget, forecasting capital assets and developing financial and statistical models, among other responsibilities.

He moved from payroll to the budget o ce mainly because the campus started growing, and the former CFO wanted somebody with experience to lead the e ort.

“Since teaching drives revenue, she wanted me over here,” he said. “I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll go work for the provost!’”

Butler added: “It feels like my career has come full circle. I’ve probably had my hand in every budget since 2010.”

By Kiko Martinez

Butler remembers when he first started his new job at A&M-San Antonio, one of the main challenges was that the University’s nonexempt employees were being paid on a monthly basis. Leadership wanted nonexempt employees to be paid bi-weekly, so Butler had to step in and get it done. State income tax reporting also became a critical responsibility for Butler since A&M-San Antonio had adjunct faculty members teaching in other states.

“Those were big changes for the campus,” Butler said. “[Payroll] became a lot more e cient.”

Butler also remembers when he had to print checks from inside a bathroom that had been converted into a secure room for the Payroll Department.

“The check printer was set over the toilet, so that was pretty fun,” Butler said. “When the University first started, space was very limited.”

Over the last 15 years, Butler counts among his proudest moments being charged with converting A&M-San Antonio’s payroll system from a legacy system to Workday.

“It was up to me to get everybody on board with that,” he said. “It went pretty smoothly.” Fifteen years later, things are still going smoothly for Butler as he takes on new challenges when called upon.

Betty and her daughter, Gabby ’23

COLLABORATING Innovation TO Fuel

Betty Villegas began her Texas A&M University-San Antonio career in the Department of Student Engagement and Success in 2009. The department was housed in the first building on the University’s new South Side campus — the Sen. Frank L. Madla building.

Today, Villegas’ o ce remains in the Madla building. However, she now serves as the administrative assistant for the Institute for School and Community Partnerships, where she is responsible for supporting collaborations between the University and seven South Bexar County school districts that comprise the ASPIRE Partnership.

By Tricia Schwennesen

“I love seeing students be so excited to come to school, to get a degree, to have opportunities they may not have had otherwise.”

have never been able to do those things without partnerships with us,” she explained.

“As I look back at the 15 years I have been with A&M-San Antonio, I am amazed at the transformation I have seen going from one building to seven buildings, and we have so much more to develop,” Villegas said. “It’s growing, and it’s going to keep growing.”

She said it’s great to see students have the opportunity to attend college on the South Side. Her daughter, Gabby, worked on campus and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in December.

The ASPIRE Partnership serves East Central, Edgewood, Harlandale, Somerset, South San Antonio, Southside and Southwest ISDs. The partnership provides educational opportunities, supports schools and develops teachers through programs such as field trips to the San Antonio Zoo, NASA and SeaWorld.

One of the partnership’s most successful programs is Burleson Blooms, a flower shop at Burleson School for Innovation and Education, part of Edgewood ISD, where students with disabilities learn skills such as floral arranging and customer service, Villegas said.

The programs are all supported by individual donors and philanthropists and facilitated by the University. “These schools would

“I love the students,” Villegas said, explaining it’s one of her favorite things about the job. “I love seeing students be so excited to come to school, to get a degree, to have opportunities they may not have had otherwise.”

Villegas said the University continues to evolve, and there are several things she’s looking forward to, including the new Campus CARES program, which o ers on-campus childcare services.

She is also looking forward to a possible football team. “I’m excited to see when we start a football team here,” she said. “That’s when it’s just going to explode.”

In a Class OF THEIR OWN

A&M-San Antonio’s historic Class of 2020 was the first of its kind in more ways than one. It marked the University’s inaugural freshman class, as A&M-San Antonio had been approved as a four-year institution in 2016 when it started accepting first- and second-year student applications.

But the 2020 commencement ceremonies, as unique as they were, happened during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when everything still felt a little strange and surreal. In observing health precautions, the University rolled out “Operation Graduation — Curbside Edition.”

In May 2020, the University created a drive-through option for students to receive their diplomas and take pictures. Then, in December, an outside graduation ceremony was held on a small stage in front of the Main Quad near the Senator Frank Madla Building.

“The fall 2020 drive-through commencement was a wonderfully creative pivot during a challenging time,” said La-Tieka Sims Howell ’20, former Student Government Association president and 2022 Recent Graduate awardee. “With so many colleges and universities choosing to forgo any type of ceremony, I was so glad A&M-San Antonio found a way for students and families to celebrate such a momentous achievement during one of the hardest times in our community. While it wasn’t the same as crossing the big stage, I still got to feel accomplished and full of Jaguar Pride.”

For the ceremonies, cars lined up along University Way, graduates got out, donned their caps and gowns, and received a prop diploma cover. They

By Sam Boykin

also had a chance to take a picture with then-President Cynthia TenienteMatson and General the Jaguar while observing social distancing.

“We erected tents and balloons and did the best we could to make it a special celebration under tough conditions,” said Dr. Mary Kay Cooper, director of alumni engagement.

While some families were disappointed that the University didn’t hold a traditional commencement at the usual location, Freeman Coliseum, Cooper said it was still a time of joy, pride and happiness for graduates and their loved ones.

She recalls that many people decorated their cars for the drive-through ceremony, including one student who was gifted a new convertible for graduation. “The whole family was packed in the car, and they were first in line to get that diploma. All in all, everyone worked together, and the day was a lot of fun.”

Despite the challenges, 1,405 students were conferred baccalaureate degrees in academic year 2020, including 73 students who started as first-time-in-college freshmen in fall 2016. Also, in 2016, as the University prepared for its comprehensive expansion, it hired 39 full-time faculty and 37 full-time sta . At the time, A&M-San Antonio had about 4,600 students, all juniors, seniors and grad students. Today, the University boasts nearly 8,000 students, with plans underway to grow further and expand its footprint.

Opening Doors

By David DeKunder

FGLOBAL LEADERS TO LAUNCH Doors

or Dr. Adrian Guardia, being a professor at Texas A&M University-San Antonio has been one of his life’s most satisfying and rewarding experiences.

“Every day is a new experience,” said Guardia, instructional associate professor in the University’s Department of Management and Marketing in the College of Business. “I’ve never been bored. For me, there is always something exciting to do.”

Guardia landed at A&M-San Antonio 15 years ago, accepting a temporary position as an adjunct instructor in the human resources management program for the newly established university, which was still housed in several temporary facilities on the South Side. After being laid o as a job recruiter, he took on the adjunct position out of necessity.

His work at the University has impacted the lives of many students by providing them with opportunities to pursue careers in the human resource management field. In 2011, Guardia helped to start a chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) on campus. SHRM is an organization which represents human resource professionals in 180 countries, with nearly 340,000 members.

Being a liated with SHRM, Guardia said, has opened doors for many A&M-San Antonio students and alumni who have gone on to have successful human resource management careers.

“We’ve reached a point recently where we are starting to see many of our students now entering positions where they are directors, vice presidents and senior o cers in their respective organizations in human resource management,” Guardia said. “That gives us a great deal of satisfaction knowing that in some way we contributed to that path they’ve taken.”

Two years ago, he became executive director of the University’s accelerated master’s degree programs. In that role, Guardia recruits students for the programs. As part of the experience, students can study abroad as a group for two weeks in the summer. So far, Guardia has led study-abroad groups to Spain and Morocco.

Guardia said the purpose of the accelerated master’s degree programs is not just for students to earn a degree but to broaden their perspectives.

“It is to experience a di erent country and recognize what others experience on a day-to-day basis on the other side of the planet,” he said. “The idea is we all come back better global citizens. We are tolerant of each other, we are respectful of each other’s di erences, that we try to work on those things that we have common ground on, and we build on that.”

A Place in History SCORING

By Kiko Martinez

Texas A&M-San Antonio hit a home run when it recruited Ryanne Limon as one of its pitchers nearly four years ago. The University was starting to develop its team sports, and the softball team needed a leader.

Limon, one of the University’s first signed student-athletes, had played varsity softball for four high schools before enrolling at A&M-San Antonio. When the Jaguars offered Limon a scholarship, she jumped at the chance to be the first class to play softball.

“San Antonio is my hometown, so I thought it would be really special to stay home with my family,” Limon said. “My sister also graduated from A&M-San Antonio, and she loved it. So, I already knew that the culture was very strong. I thought it was such a great school.”

A&M-San Antonio plays in the Red River Athletic Conference. Some of the other universities they compete against are Our Lady of the Lake University, University of Houston-Victoria and Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana.

Limon spent her first semester at the University during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it was very different from a standard semester at college.

Although her first semester was challenging, Limon said she’s happy she stuck with it.

“We had a lot of transfers come in from different schools, and they told me how crazy it is as a freshman that I’m experiencing this,” she said. “We went through so much with COVID, but I’m glad I stayed and had faith in the future because it’s paying off.”

Softball and her academics have kept Limon busy over the last four years. Limon said she feels proud of making history as an athlete at A&M-San Antonio.

“It feels really special to say that about myself and my teammates — that we are the first,” Limon said. “We’ve built a foundation and a culture for the future players coming in. We’ve only been in this program for four years, so I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

Currently, Limon is a senior and will graduate this fall with a degree in kinesiology. She’s thinking about coming back for a fifth year to earn a master’s and would like to continue to play softball if she does. Whether softball is in the cards after this year or not, Limon knows that she, her teammates and coaches have laid a strong foundation for sports at A&M-San Antonio.

Major Milestone

University reveals new logo at 15th-anniversary celebration

During A&M-San Antonio’s 15th-anniversary kickoff celebration in January, the University revealed its new Jaguar logo. President Salvador Hector Ochoa and Athletic Director Darnell Smith jointly introduced the new logo, which captures the spirit and energy of the Jaguar and its growing athletic program.

“We are on a mission at A&M-San Antonio to build champions,” Smith said. “As we continue to grow and make an impact, we now have a logo that reflects our strength, grit, resilience and determination. It represents how we strive for excellence in everything we do.”

The event marked the beginning of the University’s 15th anniversary and celebrations of the institution’s growth, achievements and commitment to academic and athletic excellence. From humble beginnings in 2009, the University has grown into one of the region’s most important higher-education resources, with some 7,620 students and 62 academic programs.

“What’s been accomplished here in the last 15 years is remarkable,” said Ochoa. “Today, we have a flourishing four-year institution and a beautiful campus we’re just starting to develop. It’s astonishing how far we’ve come, thanks to the pioneers who rolled up their sleeves to make it happen.”

University Announces

Joint AgriLife Venture

Partnership fosters cross-institution collaboration

A&M-San Antonio and Texas A&M AgriLife have entered into a joint venture that aims to foster interdisciplinary partnerships, provide valuable learning opportunities for students and promote groundbreaking research initiatives.

AgriLife Research, part of The Texas A&M University System, is the state’s premier research agency in agriculture, natural resources and life sciences. By partnering with AgriLife, A&M-San Antonio faculty members will have access to research opportunities at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Uvalde, while AgriLife faculty will be involved in teaching engagements at A&M–San Antonio.

The University’s first appointee is Dr. Jose Rodolfo Valdez, who has accepted a joint associate professorship of biology between A&MSan Antonio and AgriLife Research. He will begin his research at AgriLife Uvalde in the summer of 2024, setting the stage for future collaborations and initiatives.

The joint venture will provide A&M-San Antonio students with opportunities to work alongside faculty members from both institutions, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to research. The research projects will span various disciplines, ranging from studying natural processes to investigating microbiological pathogens of plants and animals and their treatments.

DOE Grants Fuel University Innovation and Access

$3 million

The Pathways to Success grant enables the University to address economic challenges and improve students’ access to technology. Initiatives include programs for students not deemed college-ready, redesigning courses to enhance career exploration and making laptops available for loan.

$1.5 million

The Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program grant helps the University address the state’s multilingual teacher shortage. The funds support scholarships and resources to boost the number of multilingual and English as a Second Language teachers.

$1.75 million

With the support of the C-CAMPIS grant, the University has launched an on-campus childcare program that improves access to childcare in a part of the city where such resources are scarce. At the same time, the program will improve student retention and completion rates.

Walking the Stage

A good time was had by all at the fall 2023 commencement

The special ceremony was an unforgettable celebration of success, reflecting the University’s dedication to academic excellence. Over 800 graduates from diverse academic programs gathered with their families, friends, faculty and distinguished guests to commemorate their educational journey. The ceremony concluded with a special glow-in-the-dark party, adding a unique touch to the exciting and fun atmosphere.

“As we celebrate the achievements of our exceptional graduates, I am honored to lead my first commencement ceremony at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

Congratulations to the fall 2023 graduates. Your success is a testament to your hard work and perseverance,” said University President Salvador Hector Ochoa.

International Cybersecurity Conference

The event attracted industry professionals from around the world

The University hosted the third annual Intelligent Cybersecurity Conference, bringing opportunities for the community to learn about cyber trends and more. The event included multiple presentations, keynote speakers and a student hackathon.

“Hosting a conference like this is exciting because it shows how our growing University is involved in cybersecurity research,” said Izzat Alsmadi, an associate professor in the Department of Computing and Cyber Security. He added that the conference also allows the University to collaborate with other professionals from across the globe.

International Recognition

Professor receives prestigious book award

Regents Professor of History

Edward B. Westermann received the 2023 Yad Vashem International Book Prize for Holocaust Research for his book “Drunk on Genocide: Alcohol and Mass Murder in Nazi Germany.”

The prize committee described the book as a “stellar contribution to Holocaust and perpetrator studies” and noted it is “the deepest, broadest, most methodologically sophisticated, and most persuasive approach to the subject to date.”

The Yad Vashem’s International Institute for Holocaust Research presented the award. For over two decades, Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, has awarded the prize to scholars and historians who have written important research on the Holocaust. The prize aims to encourage excellent and enlightening research on new topics relating to the Holocaust.

Academic Leadership

University names dean of College of Education and Human Development

Dr. Emma Savage-Davis joined the University in January as the College of Education and Human Development dean. With more than 25 years of experience in education, Savage-Davis previously served as dean of the College of Education, Leadership Studies and Counseling at the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Savage-Davis holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University, a Master of Science in Education from Chicago State University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Illinois University. She has taught in higher education in Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina, and began her career in the Chicago Public School system, where she taught English as a Second Language.

“I am so appreciative and grateful to be a part of such an extraordinary faculty and sta ,” SavageDavis said. “Texas A&M University-San Antonio has such a rich history, culture and pride in its students, faculty, sta and community. My life’s work and passion for education align well with the University’s strategic and transformative mission and focus.”

A ‘Roaring’ Good Time

Zoo Ring Day recognizes the academic achievements of students

Continuing a beloved tradition, the University and the San Antonio Zoo held a special celebration with the help of B’alam the Jaguar. A host of faculty, staff and students attended, including President Salvador Hector Ochoa. The event celebrates the University’s partnership with the zoo and is also a fun and symbolic way to recognize students’ academic achievements.

A ceremonial chest filled with University ring boxes was placed inside the zoo’s newly expanded jaguar habitat during the event. B’alam watched over the ring boxes before being returned to the University, where they were presented to the students during the on-campus Ring Day.

Embracing the Future

A&M San Antonio launches AI initiative

The University recently received a $400,000 National Science Foundation grant to support “Jag-AI,” a new artificial intelligence program that will enhance the University’s education and research capabilities. It will also provide local businesses with tools that can help guide their decisionmaking processes.

The two-pronged initiative will expand the University’s AI infrastructure, focusing on improving health care, quality of life and national defense. Jag-AI will also help advance careers in AI among underrepresented minorities and assist in developing curricula and training for faculty and researchers.

Dr. Jeong Yang, associate professor of computer science and cyber security, and her Co-Principal Investigators, Drs. Zechun Cao, Gongbo Liang and Young Lee, are spearheading the project. Yang stressed that Jag-AI will foster collaborations with industry and government to benefit economically disadvantaged students and help accelerate educationworkforce development.

HACU Chooses Two University Fellows for Leadership Academy

The senior-level administrators will sharpen their leadership skills to better serve the University

Vanessa Torres, assistant vice president of enrollment marketing and recruitment, and John Sanchez, executive director for university advancement, were among the 50 fellows selected to participate in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ prestigious Leadership Academy/ La Academia de Liderazgo.

The program aims to increase diverse representation in executive and senior-level positions in higher education. As part of the Academy’s fifth cohort, Torres and Sanchez will participate in an array of activities preparing them for leadership roles in institutions of higher learning, with an emphasis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

Prestigious MilitaryA liated Student Symposium

More than 30 institutions were represented at the event

A&M-San Antonio hosted the 15th Annual Texas A&M University System Military-Affiliated Student Symposium. The event focused on the application-tovocation support of military-affiliated students.

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp opened the two-day symposium with President Salvador Hector Ochoa and Col. Gerald “Jerry” Smith, USMC (Ret.). More than 30 institutions were represented, including all 11 Texas A&M System universities, as well as representatives from other universities across the state.

During the event, Ochoa accepted the Veteran Education Excellence Recognition (VEER) Gold Award, presented by the Texas Veterans Commission.

“We are honored to receive the gold Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award for supporting student veterans and military-connected students,” said Ochoa, “As a proud military-embracing University, our commitment to ensuring the success of militaryaffiliated students is one of our core values.”

Spanish in the U.S.

University’s Revamped Spanish Curriculum Embraces the Region’s Diverse Hispanic Culture

Tapping into the region’s rich Hispanic heritage, A&M-San Antonio has rolled out a new academic program that embraces the nuances of the Spanish language and supports students’ rich cultural backgrounds.

Dr. Elena Foulis, assistant professor in the University’s Department of Language, Literature and Arts, helped spearhead the new program, dubbed Spanish in the United States. The revamped curriculum shifts from teaching Spanish as a second language to a heritage language, making a more meaningful connection to local communities.

The new program acknowledges the range of languages spoken in San Antonio and teaches students about the history of Spanish in the United States and the various cultural and linguistic practices of Spanish speakers nationwide. More specifically, the curriculum acknowledges the di erent kinds of bilingual, bicultural and biliteracy practices that A&M-San Antonio students bring with them into the classroom.

Dream Maker Raises Record-breaking Scholarship Funds

$2 million

Total amount awarded in Dream Maker scholarships throughout the academic year

$291,400

Amount raised during the 14th annual Dream Maker Scholarship Celebration, up 20 percent from the previous year

Partnership with IDEA Public Schools

The collaboration will help build a bridge to academic success

A&M-San Antonio and IDEA Public Schools’ new partnership will help build a bridge to academic success, providing students with greater access to the University resources they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

IDEA was established in 2000 in Donna, Texas, to help combat some of the community’s educational deficiencies. Today, the not-for-profit has a network of about 150 tuition-free public charter schools, serving more than 80,000 students.

As IDEA expanded, it began partnering with local colleges and universities dedicated to the idea that each child deserves access to higher education. Angelica Garza, A&M-San Antonio’s director of admissions, said the University’s and IDEA’s missions aligned perfectly, and the transformative

partnership between the two organizations will help foster many new opportunities.

“We’re building a bridge to success,” she said. “Through this alliance, we’re creating a gateway for future leaders.”

Generational Health University launches a high-tech

research lab

to help combat complex diseases

A&M-San Antonio’s new Public Health Genetics and Genomics Laboratory will help identify and study the genetic factors influencing complex diseases such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Such health problems are alarmingly prevalent in Texas, where approximately 34 percent of adults are obese, according to recent data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. The stats are equally troubling in Bexar County, where 36 percent of adults are overweight or obese, compared to 32 percent in the United States.

The initiative is also intended to engage students and boost the local health care workforce and educational system, helping promote positive and compassionate patient care.

Congressman Tony Gonzales secured nearly $2 million for the facility through the Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Resources and Services. The money was used to purchase capital equipment to establish a world-class research center. Personnel will soon begin conducting experiments, ranging from data analysis to collecting and studying human biological samples.

The multidisciplinary research team is currently located off-campus at the San Antonio Technology Center. They will eventually move into the Public Health and Education Building. The $44.9 million project is scheduled to open on campus by spring 2026.

Amazing Alumni

Annual alumni awards honor outstanding achievements

A&M-San Antonio celebrated the accomplishments of distinguished alumni at the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony. The event recognizes outstanding individuals and fosters a sense of connection and inspiration for current and future generations of A&M-San Antonio graduates. The winners included Brian Harrin ’16, Distinguished Alumni; Juanita Sepulveda ’11, ’15, ’16, Spirit of the Jaguar; and Clayton Jaskinia ’20, Recent Graduate.

The Alumni Awards Ceremony is a testament to the alumni’s remarkable achievements and contributions across diverse fields. Launched in 2018, the selection process for the Alumni Awards begins with nominations solicited from various segments of the A&M-SA community, including staff, students, faculty and alumni. As alumni continue to excel in their respective fields, the ceremony serves as an annual reminder of the University’s impact on shaping leaders and contributors to society.

WHERE AMBITION MEETS ACCESS

Launching in the fall 2024 semester, the Jaguar Promise is an innovative program that provides the following to eligible first-year and transfer students:

• Free tuition

• Free fees

• $300 book stipend per semester

A&M-San Antonio is proud to offer this transformational pathway that enables Texas residents to achieve their educational goals at little to no cost.

tamusa.edu/jaguar-promise

Jaguar Soccer Celebrates All-Conference Honors

Three A&M University-San Antonio men’s soccer team players earned All-RRAC accolades following an 8-6-2, 7-4-2 RRAC season and a seventh-place regular season finish.

Antonio Juarez-Alvarez was named Second Team All-Conference by the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). Juarez-Alvarez’s 13 starts helped make him a stalwart contributor on the back line by making it tough for forwards and midfielders to take quality shots. His play helped the Jaguars make a second consecutive playo appearance.

Antonio Loyola, a midfielder and All-RRAC Honorable Mention, scored one conference goal in the 4-1 win over Paul Quinn. He also played a big role as a midfielder, making stops and creating chances for others. Loyola started 13 games and contributed to the Jaguars’ success by taking 17 shots throughout the season.

Jacob Olivares, a midfielder, made the AllRRAC Freshman Team. Olivares tallied six goals over 15 games and contributed to the fast-moving o ense that made it di cult for opponents to defend.

A&M-San Antonio women’s soccer finished the season with a record of 8-3-4 and 7-3-4 RRAC and locked up the seventh and final seed of the regular season standings to advance to the playo s for the second year in a row. Three players earned honors.

Ana Barragan, forward, was named to the All-RRAC First Team. Barragan led the Jaguars’ o ense with 17 scored goals and was the second-leading scorer for the conference. She was a key part of a fast-paced Jaguar o ense with five game-winning goals throughout the season. Barragan was also named RRAC

O ensive Player of the Week twice during the season.

Maram Abdeljaber, goalkeeper, was named All-RRAC Honorable Mention for the second year in a row. Abdeljaber started all 14 games for the Jaguars. As an integral part of the Jaguars defense, Abdeljaber allowed only eight goals in 14 games and led the conference with a save percentage of .843.

Abdeljaber was named RRAC Defensive Player of the Week for her 10 saves to earn wins over North American University and Xavier University.

These accomplishments mark the second time in program history that players from A&M-San Antonio’s women’s and men’s soccer teams have earned RRAC All-Conference honors.

Rheanna Lopez, a midfielder and AllRRAC Honorable Mention, had 13 game starts and nine shots over throughout the season. Lopez’s play style made it di cult for defenders to keep up with the Jaguar’s dynamic o ense.

Jacob Pena’s Historic Outing

Jacob Pena’s three-round golf tournament total at the Texas Intercollegiate Tournament was the lowest in University history. Pena scored five under par in the tournament with final scores of 71, 70, and 70. He finished the tournament tied for fifth place individually. Pena’s score earned him a spot on the AllTournament Team and helped the team finish seventh place in the tournament.

Women’s Soccer Coach

Fredy Sanguinetti reaches milestone win

Head women’s soccer coach Fredy Sanguinetti reached an impressive milestone over the season. In October, Sanguinetti achieved his 600th career win as a head coach in a match against Xavier University. Since becoming coach of the University’s women’s soccer team, Sanguinetti has led them to 17 wins, 7 losses, and 7 ties. Before joining A&M-San Antonio, he achieved a record of 232-27-30 as head coach of high school girls and 353-46-53 as head coach of high school boys, with an overall record of 602-80-80. This equates to a winning percentage of 79%.

Hoop Dreams

A&M-San Antonio launches basketball program and hires head coaches

There was much celebration when the University announced in November 2023 that it was expanding its sports program by adding men’s and women’s basketball for the 2024-2025 academic year. Fans received more good news in January when the University filled two critically important coaching positions.

Chris Dial (top right), previously at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), will serve as head coach of the men’s basketball program. Before OLLU, Dial coached at several San Antonio-area high schools and internationally.

Chris Minner (below right) will coach the women’s basketball team. Minner comes by way of Texas A&M University-Texarkana. He also has helmed National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics programs at Midway University and OLLU.

The addition of the basketball program is a big step forward for the University, which also carries men’s and women’s soccer, men’s golf and softball. A&M-San Antonio competes within the NAIA as a member of the Red River Athletic Conference.

“We are excited to be adding men’s and women’s basketball to our Athletics Department and Jaguar family,” said Athletic Director Darnell Smith. “As one of the fastest-growing universities in Texas, the addition of these intercollegiate sports will increase enrollment, enhance campus traditions, and provide entertainment and social opportunities for the campus and local community.”

Robert Alonzo, senior lecturer, Department of Criminology, appeared in the first episode of the Center for Academic Innovation’s “Teachable Moments” series. Watch the interview on A&M-San Antonio’s YouTube channel.

Dr. Rector Arya, associate professor, Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, was an invited plenary speaker and co-chair at the 47th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Human Genetics and International Symposium on “New Genetics and its Contributions to Human Health and Wealth” along with the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Department of Human Genetics at Andhra University. During the event, Arya discussed his paper, “Genetics of Biomarkers of Metabolic DysfunctionAssociated Faty Liver Disease in Mexican Americans.”

DR. BRYAN BAYLES

Dr. Bryan Bayles, research assistant professor of public health, recently received recognition from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and the City of San Antonio for his service as vice chair of the Mayor’s Fitness Council, and he now has been elected to serve as chair of the Council. Bayles also presented posters and presentations on community health, health literacy and a new paradigm of personalized environmental medicine at the following conferences: the Confianza Health Equity in Action Summit, the Texas Public Health Association Annual Education Conference, and the 86th National Environmental Health Association 2023 Annual Educational Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana.

DR. CLAIRE NOLASCO BRAATEN and DR. DANIEL BRAATEN

Dr. Claire Braaten and Dr. Daniel Braaten, both associate professors in the Department of Criminology and Political Science, cowrote a book, “Benched Justice: How Judges Decide Asylum Claims and Asylum Rights of Unaccompanied Minors.” The book, published in September, examines judicial decision-making in asylum proceedings involving unaccompanied alien children in the United States in immigration courts, Bureau of Immigration Appeals proceedings, and federal district and circuit courts. Applying theories of judicial decision-making, the book parses out the factors that affect whether immigration judges grant or deny asylum to unaccompanied minors.

DR. DOLPH BRISCOE IV

Dr. Dolph Briscoe IV, lecturer in history, appeared in KSAT-12 News reporter Myra Arthur’s story “Who Were the People Behind San Antonio Namesakes?” for KSAT Explains Part 1 in August 2023 and Part 2 in December 2023.

ROBERT ALONZO

DR. RECTOR ARYA

A film by Dr. Nicole Carr, assistant professor of English, “High Risk: Black Mothers Protecting Themselves and Their Babies,” premiered in the fall. This documentary centers on Black caregivers, mothers and healthcare providers, and it examines the resistance strategies Black women develop in the wake of obstetric violence. The premiere included a roundtable of Black birthworkers. Visit www.melaneyesmedia.com/highriskmovie for more information.

Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, assistant professor, Department of Counseling, Health and Kinesiology, was a candidate for the Board of Directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the first national organization to certify practitioners of applied behavior analysis. She is scheduled to speak at the 39th annual conference of the Texas Association of Behavior Analysis in April 2024 and will participate in a panel discussion on professionalism and etiquette around communicating and working with the autistic community. Also, de la Cruz will be presenting at the 50th annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International in May 2024. She will serve on a panel discussing the behavior analyst’s role in public policy

advocacy and will serve as a discussant at a symposium about current research on promoting equity in school settings.

Mary “Milly” Daniel, lecturer in the Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, created the Inez Beverly Prosser Lecture series, named for the much beloved San Antonio psychologist. The series featured three prominent local psychologists. Daniel spearheaded the effort to bring these great speakers to campus and coordinated the dozens of students on the committee she founded. Hundreds of students attended to hear about opportunities for their future.

Dr. Mariya Davis , associate professor of special education, received a “Grant Millionaire” Certificate of Achievement as principal investigator for a fiveyear grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support post-school endeavors of students with intellectual disabilities. The project, TU CASA, is celebrating its fourth successful year. Currently, Davis serves several national organizations, such as the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Career Development and Transition and the Council for Learning Disabilities, in

different leadership and mentorship capacities. Most recently, the “Yes I Can Awards” Committee for the Council for Exceptional Children appointed Davis to serve as a co-chair. Davis is a strong advocate for individuals with disabilities and focuses her research on the transition to post-school environments for students with disabilities and equipping them with skills necessary for successful employment, postsecondary education, and community involvement. To her scholarly achievement, Davis added five peer-reviewed publications in 2023. One of Davis’s published studies investigating employment outcomes for students with disabilities received “A Must Read Article” Award at the 2023 Division on Career Development and Training conference.

Dr. Dennis Elam , associate professor of accounting, is the 2022 namesake of the Elam Grants, awarded by the Socionomics Institute, which includes Texas A&M-San Antonio in its annual Best Socionomic Research Paper Contest. Pitted against the College of William and Mary, established in 1636, and the University of Delaware, established in 1740, A&MSan Antonio students have three wins since 2020. Amanda Carrillo won first place and a $1,000 scholarship in 2020. In 2022, Ana Montalvo won a $618 award, and Greg Medrano won $250 in 2023. This is another way A&M-San Antonio is making a national name for itself. The Institute awarded its first-ever grant to Elam in 2022.

DR. DENNIS ELAM

DR. BERENICE DE LA CRUZ

DR. MARIYA DAVIS

MARY “MILLY” DANIEL

DR. NICOLE CARR

A paper entitled “The Impact of Gasoline Price Changes on Food Expenditures” by Dr. Amir Fekrazad, assistant professor of economics, was published in Applied

Economics Letters. Dr. Najmeh Kamyabi co-authored the paper, which examines how fluctuations in gasoline prices affect household spending on food at home (FAH) and food away from home (FAFH). Given that gasoline is considered an inelastic good, an increase in its price forces households to cut back on their other expenses, including food. The results indicate that when the price of gasoline doubles, expenditures on FAH and FAFH drop by about 3 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

Dr. Esther Garza, associate professor of bilingual education, received a nearly $1.6 million Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence grant from the Department of Education, as principal investigator along with her Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Hsiao-Ping Wu, associate professor of bilingual education and English as a Second Language, and Dr. Myriam Jimena Guerra, associate professor of bilingual education and English as a Second Language. The grant entitled “Aspiring Students to Advance Professionally (ASAP) to Teach and Serve English Learners, Parents, and Communities” (ASAP2TEACH) supports bilingual teacher candidates, in-service teachers, paraprofessionals and K-12 student populations. The grant is also designed to support in-service ASPIRE Partner teachers through professional development, certification, recruitment and retention activities. In addition, the ASAP2TEACH grant will provide awareness for multilingualism for ASPIRE Partnership Districts’ middle and high school students in Harlandale ISD, Southwest ISD and Edgewood ISD. The grant also will allow the grant team to conduct research in multilingual education and multilingual teacher preparation aimed at developing a replicable, national model that will provide insight on how to increase the multilingual teacher pipeline. In the grant’s first year, 15 bilingual teachers have been awarded scholarships to support bilingual coursework as well as residency in fall 2023 and spring 2024.

Dr. Theresa Garfield , professor of special education, has been selected as a research fellow for the 2024 IESfunded Comprehensive Program for Adaptive Interventions Training in Education program. This is a year-long commitment. She was also chosen as a spring 2024 research fellow for disABILITY-SA in their Participatory Action Research project. Garfield is the conference co-chair for the 20242026 Council for Exceptional Children Conferences, the world’s largest special education conference.

DR. JESUS JIMENEZ-ANDRADE

Dr. Jesus Jimenez-Andrade , assistant professor of accounting and finance, had two manuscripts accepted for publication during the fall 2023 semester. The manuscripts are entitled “The Visible Hand of Lawyers: Attorneys’ Selection, White-Collar Fraud, and Criminal Sentences” in the Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting and “Corporate (Alleged) Wrongdoings, Settlements, and Restitution: The Story of When Two Wrongs Make One Right” in the Journal of Forensic Accounting Research.

DR. ESTHER GARZA

DR. HSIAO-PING WU

DR. MYRIAM JIMENA GUERRA

DR. AMIR FEKRAZAD

DR. THERESA GARFIELD

Dr. Gongbo Liang and Dr. Kun Gou, faculty members in the Department of Computational, Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences, led a field trip for the University Honors Seminar HONR 1300-002 in November. They visited the School of Data Science at The University of Texas at San Antonio on its downtown campus. They visited several facilities pertinent to data science, particularly one featuring collaborations with the U.S. National Security Agency on cyber security. The trip enabled the students to enhance their awareness of the latest developments in data science and artificial intelligence and their significance in life and society. The honors course aims to focus on living smartly with quantitative reasoning.

Dr. Elizabeth Leyva , instructional assistant professor of mathematics, with Dr. Sonya Eddy , director of integrated reading and writing and instructional assistant, hosted a professional development training for dual-credit faculty and high school partners on the Texas Success Initiative Assessment and its impact. Leyva had an article accepted for publication in the Journal of Educational Psychology: “The Effect of an Intervention Personalizing Mathematics to Students’ Career and Popular Culture Interests on Math Interest and Learning,” with co-authors Walkington, C., Bernacki, M., Vongkulluksn, V., Greene, M., Darwin, T., Istas, B., Hunnicutt, J., Washington, J.,

& Wang, M. Dr. Leyva also developed and successfully implemented a departmental final exam for MATH 2312 Precalculus to be used by all sections covering more than 150 students.

The innovative study of Dr. Gongbo Liang, assistant professor of computer science, leveraging deep neural networks and satellite images to estimate fatal crash risks on San Antonio’s roads, has been published in the prestigious IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing (IEEE J-STARS). This promising work has the potential to revolutionize road safety, saving lives and alleviating economic

burdens. It marks the first chapter of Liang’s ongoing research series on AI-driven road safety improvements with the ambitious goal of substantially impacting both lives and finances.

ERIC

Dr. Eric J. López , professor of special education, and Dr. Gavin W. Watts, assistant professor of special education, along with Dr. Mariya T. Davis , associate professor of special education, co-authored “Considering Time: Practical Applications for Supporting Students with Disabilities in Hispanic Serving Institutions” in the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education.

Dr. Srinivas Mummidi, professor of public health genomics, served as an external reviewer for the Nevada-INBRE IDeA (Institutional Development Award) program, funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. He also served as a member of the ZRG1 F07B G(20) L Fellowship: Immunology and Infectious Diseases B, National Institutes of Health. He also co-authored “Empagliflozin Reverses Oxidized LDL-Induced RECK Suppression, Cardiotrophin-1 Expression, MMP Activation, and Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration,” which appeared in the journal Mediators of Inflammation.

DR. GONGBO LIANG

DR. SRINIVAS MUMMIDI

DR. ELIZABETH LEYVA and DR. SONYA EDDY

DR.

J. LÓPEZ, DR. GAVIN W. WATTS and DR. MARIYA T. DAVIS

DR. PHILIS M. BARRAGÁN GOETZ

Dr. Philis M. Barragán Goetz, associate professor of history, received a $60,000 National Endowment for the Humanities Faculty Fellowship for her second book, “The Borderlands of Inclusivity: Jovita González and the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement.” The book will delve into the life of González, who wrote about Mexican Americans along the borderlands and their e orts to preserve their cultural traditions during a period of tumultuous change. González also worked as a teacher, wrote several novels, and was the first Mexican American president of the Texas Folklore Society.

In addition to detailing González’s life, Barragán Goetz’s book will also explore women’s contributions to the Mexican American civil rights movement between the 1920s and ’60s. Historically, the focus has been on the contributions of men, who dominated the discourse around issues like desegregation and educational equality. Barragán Goetz will detail how Mexican American women served as prominent leaders and intellectuals and helped guide the civil rights movement.

This will be Barragán Goetz’s second book. Her first, “Reading, Writing, and Revolution: Escuelitas and the Emergence of a Mexican American Identity in Texas,” published in 2020, won numerous awards, including the National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies Book Award, and the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies-Tejas Foco Nonfiction Book Award. She is also a 2021 recipient of the Mellon Emerging Faculty Award.

Dr. Barragán Goetz also received the Voces Oral History Collaborative Fellowship from the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

William Myers , adjunct faculty in psychology and behavioral sciences, is now in preproduction for a documentary regarding the lack of mental health services in rural Texas. He has spent a lifetime in the field of mental health as a therapist, administrator, and public relations specialist for services to many needy groups. Both he and his wife are Air Force veterans and he strongly supports veteran services. He continues to present to the general public, social service programs, educators and law enforcement about his 2007 award-winning film “Incest: A Family Tragedy.” Since its debut, the film won Best Documentary at the Beverly Hills Film Festival and nine other awards worldwide. It still airs today on streaming services. Myers also appeared as himself in a documentary called “Shame on You,” a global look at sex trafficking, rape, and other sexual areas. Also, he recently premiered a podcast called “This is William,” a look at mental health services, featuring various guest specialists exploring homelessness, veterans and children.

Dr. O. Volkan Ozbek, assistant professor of management, received the Best Reviewer Award in the Leadership, Governance, and Strategy Stream at ANZAM (the Australian and New Zealand Academy of

DR. O. VOLKAN OZBEK

WILLIAM MYERS

Management) Conference. His empirical paper titled “Examining effects of managerial and institutional ownerships on market value of corporate spin-offs” has been published in Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues. He also presented his conceptual paper titled “Effects of CEO’s uncertainty avoidance-based cultural background and age on the choice of international joint ventures” at the conference of the Academy of International Business-Southeast in Atlanta, Georgia. His main research interests include corporate governance and foreign entry modes. As a member of the International Management task force, he has suggested two new courses and prepared both syllabi. He has taught management and strategy capstone courses at the graduate level as part of the 11-month MBA and at the undergraduate level. While teaching all his courses, he has created an interactive classroom environment and provided his students with many opportunities to develop themselves by completing both individual and team assignments. While teaching his capstone courses, he has incorporated some distinct materials, such as the Value Champion Strategy Simulation offered by Harvard Business Publishing Education. Overall, he believes that if business students improve their written and verbal communication skills, as well as their critical thinking, they will become exemplary representatives of A&M-San Antonio in the business world.

Dr. Davida Smyth, associate professor of microbiology, published a paper with Theresa Conefrey “ePortfolios to Promote Equity, Engaged Learning, and

Professional Identity Development in STEM” in a special issue of ePortfolios

Across the Disciplines. She also hosted the Fall Water Fellows Intensive at A&M-San Antonio in collaboration with the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement with attendees from Uruguay, Kenya, Mexico and the United States. At the 36th Annual California State University Biotech Symposium in Santa Clara, California, Smyth presented “SENCERizing Your CUREs” and she presented “STEM Educators as Civic Educators” at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in Seattle, Washington. She presented workshops with colleagues on “ASM Curriculum Guidelines 2.0: Levelling up” and “Microbiomes for All: Introducing Research Experiences in Microbiomes Network” at the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Conference for Undergraduate Educators in Phoenix, Arizona, and “Introducing the LifeSkills Guide for Undergraduate Faculty” at the National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Smyth also co-hosted a webinar with ASM on “Microbiomes for All: Tools for Microbiome Student Research.” At the University of Texas at El Paso, she gave a keynote address, “What Bacteria Can Tell Us About the Built Environment,” at the UTEP Biosciences Research Day.

She collaborated with the newspaper,

Jaguar Student Media Director Jenny Moore and the University Advancement team including John Sanchez, Jordan Burbank and Julia Chu. Inaugural intern Victoria Arredondo received $2,500. Communication students donated the initial funding from their student organization accounts, primarily revenue from selling food and other items at campus events to the student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, The Mesquite, El Espejo Magazine and Enlace Media Lab. The initiative will continue fundraising for this internship and partnerships with other community newspapers.

Dr. Dawn Weatherford, associate professor, and Dr. William “Blake” Erickson, assistant professor, both in the Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, spoke on a panel at GalaxyCon Austin about the psychology of supervillains called “Supervillain Confidential: What Makes a Bad Guy Great?” GalaxyCon is a three-day event that celebrates all things sci-fi and pop culture, featuring celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors and cosplayers. During the event, Weatherford and Erickson also showcased books to which they have contributed that delve into the psychology of hit TV shows including Game of Thrones, Stranger Things and The Walking Dead.

DR. JEONG YANG

Teresa Talerico, clinical assistant professor of communication, spearheaded a paid journalism internship at The Devine News in the spring of 2024.

TERESA TALERICO

DAVIDA SMYTH

DR. DAWN WEATHERFORD and DR. WILLIAM ERICKSON

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JC Reyes landed his dream job as a pilot for Delta Air Lines in Atlanta.

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Florinda H. Gonzales became a manager in contract administration at San Antonio Water System last year and is pursuing an MBA.

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Herlinda Aguilar ’12, ’14 is an AP Spanish Language and Spanish 2 high school teacher for IDEA Monterrey Park MOPA. She was awarded teacher of the month for 2023-2024 Level 3 and in 2022 and 2023.

Gil Dominguez was named a professional certified guide by the Professional Tour Guide Association of San Antonio.

Melissa R. Hadley is a newly accredited broker associate at Texas Helm Realty Group with White Line Realty. She holds designations as a seller representative specialist, military relocation professional and a certified real estate negotiator. Since 2019, Melissa has served as the chair of the Sandy Oaks Planning and Zoning Commission, a testament to her commitment to community development.

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Irma Iris Duran de Rodriguez ’14 is spearheading the creation of the TAMUSA College of Business (COB) Alumni Association with the support of the College and Alumni Engagement. She is working with the executive board, which includes Josh Wagner ’09, Gina Marie Sanchez-Diaz ’09, ’12 and Sara Briseño Gerrish ’10, to establish the association’s by-laws and structure. Rene Orozco ’20, ’23 and Vanessa Sanchez ’13, ’23 serve as at-large board members and are working with the executive board to launch the alumni organization in spring 2024. The association is still searching for members-at-large to join the inaugural board. If interested, contact Rodriguez at 1rodriguez2@tamusa.edu.

David Zack Magallanez started working at the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization as a transportation planner. Additionally, this past October, he was appointed by Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda to the City of San Antonio’s Streets, Bridges, and Sidewalks Advisory Committee to represent District 6.

Alejandra Valadez, an employee at Centene, a managed care organization, participated in a companywide challenge that attracted 1,500 submissions from all corners of the organization.

Alejandra’s submission was selected as the winner. The concept focuses on bridging the gap between health care members and providers and it has the potential to impact the lives of more than 28 million people.

CLOCKWISE (STARTING ABOVE): Irma Iris Duran de Rodriguez ’14, Josh Wagner ’09, Gina Marie Sanchez-Diaz ’09, ’12, Sara Briseño Gerrish ’10 and Vanessa Sanchez ’13, ’23

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Victoria A. Weigold-Vasquez has started the University’s cybersecurity master’s program and last year purchased a house.

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Alyssa De La O ’16, ’22 is working at the University of Texas at San Antonio as a student advisor for their TRiO Student Support Services Program. She also anticipates applying for her doctoral degree in educational leadership or clinical counseling this upcoming academic year. She also volunteers as a member of A&M-San Antonio’s Mariachi Los Jaguares Del Sur group.

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Lena Carmona was married in November 2023 in Las Vegas. She and her husband, Randy Carmona, moved to New Braunfels from San Antonio, and in January she started a job at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children as a permanency specialist.

outline provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Her group selected a U.S.-based company, Farm to Feet, to expand into the Netherlands.

Hannah Dunn Eli had a baby boy in September, Harvey Eli.

Louis M. Palacios celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary on December 29, 2023. The happy couple is looking forward to another 30 years.

Ana A. Carrasco participated in the Export Fellows Program, hosted by the Texas Camino Real District Export Council and A&M-San Antonio. During the four-week course, she was presented with real-life experiences, export industry strategies and insights. At the end of the course, she worked with others to devise an export plan utilizing the

Gabrielle Harden Herrera was a featured panelist at HubSpot’s First Gens in Tech event. The November 2023 panel titled “Breaking Barriers” spoke to the minority and underrepresented group experience in the tech industry. Herrera, who works at HubSpot as a marketing operations manager, celebrated in November her 2nd anniversary with the company’s Email Strategy and Marketing Technology teams.

Pablo Cabrera ’18 moved to Washington, D.C., where he serves as an executive project o cer for the O ce of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). He collaborates on corporate items that serve the mission of the National Counterterrorism Center. Prior to joining ODNI, he supported various federal and local agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the O ce of the Inspector General and local law enforcement divisions.

Last year, he provided support to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency as project manager under the Cooperative Threat Reduction Directorate. He was part of the Operational Evaluations group, which conducts strategic and operational evaluations of U.S. allies and global partners. Looking ahead, he plans to enroll in a Ph.D. program within the next five to seven years.

Rogelio Narvaez Jr. ’18 recently published a book titled “Between the Tracks” about the challenges he faced growing up in West San Antonio and how he navigated complicated relationships with friends and family. The book is available on Amazon.

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Kayla A. Tichenor walked the stage for her MBA at Texas Woman’s University. She is currently working at Methodist in a pediatric clinic, focusing on congenital heart surgery. Her goal is to continue to help grow the program and move into management.

Khameka T. Webb graduated with a Master of Human Development from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. She completed her two-year degree within a year with a 4.0.

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Alyssa C. Gallo has started a dog-sitting business, Koda’s Hangout (www. kodashangout.com).

Allison Garcia is a senior marketing and communications manager at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. After earning her master’s degree from Sam Houston State University in Higher Education Administration in fall 2022, she is now pursuing her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Evaluation from the University of the Incarnate Word.

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Alexis A. Dotson started a new job as an accounting manager for Brown & Brown Insurance. She is also studying for her Master of Accountancy degree.

Norberto Salazar Jr. accepted a job in August 2023 at the University of HoustonDowntown as the alumni and special cohorts career counselor. In this position, he is helping students develop best career practices, including building their resume/ cover letter/CV, providing career assessments and enhancing interviewing skills.

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Lyndsey Carbonell met her husband, Gio, at A&M-San Antonio — he proposed in the classroom where they met (CAB 333). Since getting married, the couple has had a daughter, Amelia. In addition, Carbonell owns an event beauty business that specializes in hair and makeup. The business was featured in Voyage San Antonio magazine.

Austin L. Haynes started as a mobility forces aviator last year with the U.S. Air Force.

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Irma B. Saenz is working at WOAI as a morning video editor.

Renée Díaz landed the job of her dreams as a high school counselor on a military base in the San Antonio area. Diaz’s position allows her to empower teens through support groups, guidance lessons, meditation, degree planning and one-on-one counseling.

Abraham Trevino got married in April 2023. He also recently became a fully licensed CPA.

SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATION

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE presented by Fall 2024