53 minute read
Student Stories
A click away from dropping out
As an incoming student to the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2020, Deniff Lara’s first year of college was nothing like she imagined.
Deniff Lara
Lara was ready to learn how to jump into university life and all things UTSA – as a first-generation student, she felt like there was so much waiting to be discovered. But then the country remained at a standstill as the Coronavirus pandemic raged. The shift to online learning was difficult, to say the least. “I never imagined my college years would look anything like this,” Lara said. “Last year was one of the hardest years of my life.” Lara continued to struggle throughout the fall and spring semesters with feelings of isolation and grief, as family members and friends passed away, while her schoolwork mounted. She felt as if she didn’t know where to turn. She was a click away from dropping out when she discovered UTSA's TRiO Student Support Services. Student Support Services (SSS) is a TRiO program that provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements and motivates students to successfully complete their postsecondary education. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants. For Lara, that goal was reached.
“Deniff and I frequently met to intentionally map out strategies that prioritized her mental and emotional health so that she could thrive academically and socially,” said Jaz Burgess, student development specialist. “Over time, she put into practice many of the concepts from our discussions and made the decision to maximize her life.”
Slowly but surely, Lara began to find her footing. It was a transformation she credits partially to TRiO. “They gave me a reason to continue, because they believed in me,” she said. “The fact that I knew that someone believed in me really made a difference. That was the main reason why I didn’t drop out – because I knew someone was counting on me to be the best I could be.”
Armed with a renewed sense of vigor, Lara jumped back into university life and decided to try everything she could. She took classes in architecture, career planning and more. “When I found Sociology, I fell completely in love with it,” she said. “It just made sense to me. It’s the way I see the world.” Now a student enrolled in the College for Health, Community and Policy, Lara wouldn’t stop there. Inspired to create change from societal structures, down to individuals, she added a second major in public administration and policy. “How can I help the most amount of people?” she asked. “Public administration is my continuation of trying to serve people at a higher level.” Lara thrives on social interaction and meeting people – a true sociology major – so despite the pandemic, she still managed to join several student organizations. From campus ministries such as CRU and Chi Alpha, to the lighthearted “bubble believers,” she integrated herself into several facets of campus life.
“My faith resonated with me a lot through the struggles I endured,” she said. “Without knowing that I still had a purpose in life, I would have been blind to most of the opportunities ahead of me. But by seeing people invest that kindness and love in me, I truly was able to give back and reflect my potential in an exponential way.” Now with campus operations back to normal, Lara’s commitments have multiplied. She currently serves as one of the representatives for the President’s Student Advisory Council, and Student Services Fee Committee, representing HCAP students and bringing their issues to administration.
“I simply asked a lot of questions. I kept applying myself and trying everything, even when I knew I could fail,” Lara says. “I still have a lot to learn and discover, but I will continue to try it all.” The “keep at it” attitude has also enabled Lara to earn opportunities outside of UTSA. She is currently serving the Mayor of San Antonio’s office as the assistant intern for Chief of Staff.
Lara emphasized that her lack of experience wouldn’t hold her back, and she encourages other students to grasp every opportunity, even if they don’t feel ready. “How can you have a chance if you don’t try?” she asked. The internship at the mayor’s office is a highlight of her time so far at UTSA. “It’s been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had,” Lara said. “It’s a very healthy environment where not only can I learn, but I can actually grow as a person and as a student. It has also challenged me in ways that I’ve never been challenged before, allowing me to pursue my biggest dream to give back to my community. Because by caring for people, you can never be the same.” Looking back on the immense changes that have happened in such a short amount of time, Lara is decidedly grateful that she didn’t take another path. “It’s easy to stop when you’re struggling,” she said. “At that point in time, dropping out seemed like the right thing to do. I wouldn’t have blamed myself for going through with it. But now I know that persistence and resilience really does pay off. Better things are yet to be seen along the way in the future.” –Amanda Cerreto
A surprising double major
A cornerstone of the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) is that it brings together nine disciplines that not only relate to each other, but inform each other.
Ariadna Garcia
Ariadna Garcia’s education within HCAP proves just that. Although she never planned on double majoring, the senior is prepared to graduate with degrees in Criminology & Criminal Justice and Psychology – and has plans to pursue a career in social work. Although she initially chose to minor in criminal justice, with plans to pursue forensic psychology, her trajectory changed as she began taking more classes.
This change of direction isn’t uncommon among UTSA students – with professors who are experts in their field, students often discover areas that they didn’t know existed. For Garcia, that area wasn’t even in her major. “I’d like to pursue my master’s in social work after gaining some experience in the workforce,” Garcia said. “My internship was a big part of that decision.” Garcia currently interns with the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice. In addition to attending meetings and shadowing parole officers, she has a major role in helping youth with the re-entry process. “I mentor youths within the system,” Garcia says. “I find resources to help them re-enter society, to aid the halfway houses with getting them prepared for reentry into society.” Mentoring is second nature to Garcia, who has served as a peer mentor since her second year at UTSA. In University Peer Mentorship, first-year students connect with a peer mentor in their same Academic Studies and meet three times throughout the semester. During these meetings, peer mentors guide students through topics that are crucial to being successful academically and socially at UTSA.
“When I was in the program as a freshman, I was really inspired by my own peer mentor,” Garcia said. “I thought becoming a mentor would be a good way for me to give back to UTSA.” Garcia is now a senior peer mentor and says that the experience has been the best during her four years at UTSA. “I think that as much as I share with my mentees and teach them, I also learn from them,” she said. “As a senior peer mentor, being more involved in the program has helped me learn a lot that I wouldn’t have if I had just stayed a regular peer mentor.” Garcia draws on her own experiences at UTSA to encourage her students. “I like to share my path with my mentees and make it clear that even if you’re doing one thing that you might not think is related to another, it can still be incredibly helpful and relative to what you want to do in the future,” she said.
Garcia is grateful for every class that helped her build the foundation toward her career plans, and encourages other students to put in the work in order to find their own dreams. “Try as hard as you can,” she said. “Don’t be too harsh on yourself. Sometimes, you’re not going to get everything you want. But as long as you’re working hard, and giving it your all, that’s what really matters.” –Amanda Cerreto
Accidental philanthropy
So often when leaders and executives talk about their career paths, they’ll talk about grasping opportunities, making connections and keeping a fierce eye on the end goal. But for some, it comes naturally as a result of following passions, learning about people and taking a genuine interest in improving the lives of others.
Rachell Hathaway
Current Master of Public Administration student Rachell Hathaway is one of the latter. After building an incredibly successful career from the ground up, she wasn’t ready to stop learning or stop challenging herself to do more. As a result, she “happens to be,” (as she puts it) in several leadership positions, including a recent election to the Board of the San Antonio Housing Trust. Hathaway built a successful career at Bank of America, working her way up to Vice President, Community Relations Manager before retiring. Now, Hathaway serves as a Program Manager for the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation. The Foundation supports programs, projects and collaborative efforts to reach as many people as possible in Bexar, Bandera, Comal and Kendall counties. As someone who benefited from social service programs as a child, Hathaway is keen to ensure others can also benefit from them in the future. One might think that philanthropy is in her blood; that her career path toward charitable giving was linear and intentional. While it appears that way, Hathaway is quick to point out that it was relationships and conversations that brought her to these places – not a master plan she had in mind. In fact, it was an inspirational conversation with her daughter that led her to UTSA to pursue an MPA.. “My daughter was about to graduate from college and thinking of her next steps, which made me think of mine,” Hathaway said. She looked at a few programs, but saw that the courses at UTSA spoke to the work she wanted to do. “I’d already been doing this kind of work,” Hathaway said. “The MPA program seemed like it would help me do my job more effectively by having more knowledge around how all the pieces come together.” The question, “how can I do better?” is one that Hathaway asks herself often. It is this mindset that has opened so many doors to her, professionally and personally, and makes her a leader in her community. It is what brought her to the MPA program, and what has continued to provide her with opportunities to serve her city. Most recently, Hathaway was elected to the Board of the San Antonio Housing Trust. As one of six new members, she will join five city council members and one city staff advisory member to help provide opportunities to support affordable housing projects, program and initiatives. It was another one of those moments for Hathaway that just “fell into place.” Hathaway’s passion for affordable housing developed several years ago, before knowing about a Housing Trust or any kind of governmental positions around it. “I was a beneficiary of the Section 8 program some time ago, and it made a huge difference in my life,” Hathaway said. Because of that, Hathaway was able to go back to school, earn her degree, and work her way up in Bank of America. It was there she learned about the Community Reinvestment Act, how social inequity was built into the fabric of housing, and more – and once again, she asked herself: “How can I do better?” “It’s really fueled my passion to say, ‘How can I learn about affordable housing in a way that I can be a force for my city?’” Hathaway said. And so, she began researching, finding connections, and learning about the things that moved her. Hathaway leapt at the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in urban and regional planning to complement her MPA. When she learned of the vacancies on the Housing Trust board, she knew it was her time. “It was quite organic; I was simply preparing myself for the opportunity years ago when I started the MPA program,” Hathaway said. “I’m really excited to be able to serve my city. I’m a little girl who grew up on the east side, went to public schools, it feels good to now have a correlation of some of the services that I’ve benefited from here in San Antonio. And to be a voice against anything that is not inclusive.” As excited as she is to serve on the board of the Housing Trust, this is far from Hathaway’s first experience with meaningful volunteer work. She is also a board member for LISC San Antonio, a national nonprofit that provides financing and support for community development across the country, and has served as a member of the board of directors for the San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum; a member of the summer internship committee for San Antonio Works; and a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio. Hathaway maintains that her experiences came from inspirational conversation and following her interests. “Every great thing that we see has been developed from the ground up because of a conversation,” she said. Once she earns her MPA, she plans to continue her philanthropy, fueled by a passion to give back to the city that has given so much to her. “I want to be an advocate for a continuation of progress for everybody that is either experiencing generational poverty or mental health issues, lack of affordable housing, all of these things that we experience and go through, and get people to see that it’s really all of us,” Hathaway said. “One ship can really help lift the tide. I’m hoping to be a bridge builder for the space that I’m in as well as the spaces that I’ve been in.” –Amanda Cerreto
Creating new fellowships
Samson Olowolaju, a doctoral student in Applied Demography, is the inaugural recipient of a fellowship from Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas.
Samson Olowolaju
The Health Equity Fellowship, established in 2021, awards $25,000 to a graduate student in the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) to support research in areas such as social determinants of health, vulnerable populations frameworks, health equity, population health, data driven innovations, philanthropy, rural populations, poverty and more. “We are thrilled to have Methodist Healthcare Ministries as a pivotal partner for the college,” said Lynne Cossman, dean of the College for Health, Community and Policy. “Especially considering the challenges of the last year, we are grateful for our partnership and how well our missions complement each other. CEO Jaime Wesolowski’s representation on the HCAP Advisory Council is important in effecting change with community-wide collaborations.” Olowolaju earned his BS in demography and social statistics at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, and attended Texas A&M University for his Master of Public Health. He is anticipated to complete his Ph.D. in Applied Demography in 2023. He chose UTSA because it had the most robust courses offered for his interests. “I was so thrilled, because it was so rich in the methodology and I love to learn all of that,” he said. Together with his mentor, Associate Professor Corey Sparks, Olowolaju is focusing on researching maternal mortality. It was Sparks who nominated Olowolaju for the fellowship. “Samson was a natural choice, as his career goal is to work for an agency like Methodist Healthcare Ministries, where he can help translate data into real world decisions and health policies to promote equity,” said Sparks. “We are very honored that Methodist Healthcare Ministries has sponsored this fellowship. It is a fantastic way to connect our applied demography students with an agency who’s focus is on health equity and access. Samson was selected because his research on maternal mortality is extremely policy relevant and is a health outcome that we know can be affected by better healthcare policy decisions.” Olowolaju is honored to receive the fellowship and hopes it will help propel his research to the next level. “If there is funding, then you can focus and put all of your attention into the research you’re doing,” he said. Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas is a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for uninsured and low-income families through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. This new partnership with UTSA will help their mission to empower the voices of the community. “As we continue to implement a new strategic plan and endeavor in the spheres of resilient families and thriving communities, it becomes essential for our organization to continually refresh its knowledge of the latest applied and peer reviewed research,” said Chance Kinnison, senior research and evaluation manager at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “The establishment of this research fellowship is one way to ensure we have a regular consultation with the academic community and enables us to solicit additional guidance for what are the most important and useful frameworks and innovations that can lead to a reduction in health disparities.” After completing the fellowship and his doctoral degree, Olowolaju plans to find employment in a research institute and try to put himself in a position where his research can positively impact the community. “Samson will acquire valuable experience to add to the resume, can continue forming his own research agenda, and, moreover, gain exposure to the health care and philanthropic landscape,” said Kinnison. “We are confident that the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Health Equity Fellowship will produce future leaders for the community and inspire talented individuals to propel themselves into careers that multiply the impact of our work lifting up resilient families and thriving communities.” –Amanda Cerreto
HCAP in the city
Since its inception in 2020, the College for Health, Community and Policy’s mission has been to improve the well-being of San Antonio and communities around the world. In order to do this, its researchers must work hand-in-hand with city leaders and residents to develop effective, lasting solutions to complex issues such as health disparities, health literacy, crime rates, policymaking and more.
In addition to the college mission, Dean Lynne Cossman set forth an ambitious Signature Project for 2022: infusing community engagement through every aspect of the college. A large part of this community engagement includes faculty research. Dean Cossman assembled workgroups composed of faculty and staff to increase the visibility, recognition and sustainability of communityengaged work within HCAP, UTSA and the San Antonio community. “Our 2021-22 Signature Project was focused on community engagement and making sure it was a part of all aspects of our work: teaching, research and service,” said Cossman. “Community engagement is the bridge that brings our work to the community and brings the community into our work – it is a bidirectional relationship, working with the community to make sure our research is appropriate and resulting in relevant solutions.” Heading up all the workgroups is Faculty Fellow Emily Nicklett, associate professor of social work. “As Faculty Fellow, it has been my honor to help facilitate the work of community partners, staff and faculty to formalize and further strengthen UTSA’s already strong ties to the community through research, teaching and service,” said Nicklett. “I am proud to be a member of HCAP, as it truly is centered around community well-being.”
The workgroups have accomplished both internal and external goals: they have created review standards for promotion, developed a structure for an annual event to support research partnerships, organized several collaborative events and more.
Faculty have embraced the challenge set forth by the university and Dean Cossman and have spent the last two years – even amidst a pandemic – working with city employees and residents to learn about their unique challenges and to work together to develop lasting solutions. While there
are many more examples, the below stories highlight some of the areas in which HCAP works.
HEALTH LITERACY GRANT AIMS TO COMBAT COVID MISINFORMATION
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health awarded the City of San Antonio a $4 million health literacy grant to assist the city in its efforts to improve health literacy related to COVID-19 among minority and underserved San Antonio and Bexar County residents.
San Antonio and Dallas County are the only two Texas local governments awarded this grant.
Researchers from UTSA assembled a team that will work with UT Health and Metro Health to collect data, conduct research and improve health literacy.
The UTSA team, led by Associate Professor of Public Health and Associate Dean for Research Erica Sosa, consists of Professor of public health Meizi He, Professor of demography Rogelio Sáenz and Associate Professor of public health Jeffrey Howard. The team is taking the lead in evaluation and quality improvement for the overall project. They identified 22 target zip codes at high risk of COVID-19 and in underserved areas in which to focus programmatic efforts. The team oversees the data collection and will report the effects of the COVID-19 intervention efforts.
“We hope to see that community members have increased access to scientifically accurate and culturally appropriate health information related to COVID-19,” Sosa said. “We also hope to see improvements in communication overall between community members, healthcare providers and the research community.” To reach these goals, the UTSA team is working with community health workers to disseminate health messages that are accessible and accepted by the local community. They are conducting surveys and focus groups to help guide program activities and measure the impact they have toward those goals. Sosa has a long history of working with Metro Health, and when the collaboration was proposed, she assembled a team to build on the college’s multi-disciplinary strengths. Sosa’s primary areas of research include examining structural, cultural and psychosocial contributors to the onset of diabetes and obesity among minority populations and Latino health issues. He, also a public health professor, specializes in community nutrition and health promotion. Sáenz’s primary research interests include demographic trends, inequality, and social justice. Rounding out the team, Howard’s research foci are on traumatic injury epidemiology, mass casualty epidemiology, accelerated aging and veterans health. This dynamic team can tackle all areas of focus for this project.
“There is a lot of misinformation about there about COVID-19,” Sosa said. “By improving access to trustworthy and culturally appropriate information, we expect increases in vaccinations, testing and contact tracing.”
Left to right: Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, Dr. Esteban Lopez, Dean Lynne Cossman, and Dr. Ian Thompson
While the team aims to combat misinformation about COVID-19, they don’t want their work to end there. “If this equips community members with the skills and trust to seek out, evaluate and use health information, we will be in a great position for other health-related issues postpandemic as well,” Sosa said.
REGIONAL COLLABORATION HELPS YOUTH WITH EXPERIENCES OF FOSTER CARE ATTEND COLLEGE
In 2019, an innovative county-wide collaboration was developed between UTSA, Texas A&M University – San Antonio, the Alamo Colleges District (ACD), Bexar County Children’s Court and Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA). This pilot program aimed to increase the number of youth in foster care to attend – and succeed in – college. The pilot project – Bexar County Fostering Educational Success (BCFES) – was initially funded by a $3.5M appropriation from the 2019 Texas legislature, made possible through the sponsorship of State Senators Pete Flores (R) and José Menéndez (D), and State Representatives Trey Martinez Fischer and Ina Minjarez. It earned renewed funding in 2021 for its outstanding success. HCAP’s Megan Piel, assistant professor of social work, is the project’s lead research evaluator. “In addition to examining traditional indicators of student success, we are conducting communityengaged research on the pipeline of educational support for students who have experienced foster care,” Piel said.
Department of Social Work alumni Cindy Alvarado ’07 and Deaven Rodriguez ’20 serve as research coordinators for the project, coordinating program data from all BCFES community partners, collecting institutional data on student success indicators, and
facilitating collaboration with the UTSA Urban Education Institute and Texas Education Research Center to examine longitudinal predictors of educational success. The program saw early success; prior to starting, UTSA was enrolling approximately 125 students with a history of foster care in academic programs across the university. By 2022, an additional 104 students with a history of foster care enrolled as freshmen or transfer students.
As BCFES gained momentum in removing barriers to educational success, it became apparent that housing stability was a critical need. Piel collaborated with BCFES partners to develop a $1.2M proposal, awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, establishing the BCFES Housing First Project in Fall 2020. With BCFES as the umbrella, the rapid-rehousing program is addressing housing stability for 33 young adults experiencing homelessness, as well as 17 dependent children housed with their mothers or fathers or pending reunification.
“This collaborative effort to address youth and young adult homelessness will have a collective impact on our community and improve outcomes by addressing a critical housing need that influences educational and long-term success,” Piel said. “In addition to serving as a model for other communities, this project addresses a significant gap in research with youth and young adult experiences of homelessness and transitions to postsecondary education for students with a history of foster care.”
The innovative rapid-rehousing model includes peer advocacy, supportive case management, assistance with moving costs, rent and utility deposits, child care, mental health services, legal services and life skill development, in addition to the strong focus on educational support and degree completion. The South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, San Antonio Bar Association, Jewish Family Service and Thrive Youth Center are additional partners providing supportive services for the Housing First Project. “We are thrilled that UTSA and the Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Pilot Project are leading this collaborative effort. Housing is a critical need for so many students with a history of foster care, and this program will provide the holistic support they need to pursue their dreams of a higher education,” said Taylor and Peggy Eighmy, president and first lady of UTSA, in a joint statement. "I believe public universities can be catalysts for change and have an important role to play in helping foster alumni reach their highest potential, that universities can best do so, by providing individualized, trauma informed and strength-based support on their campuses, and that public universities must engage and work with child welfare agencies, children’s courts, K-12 school systems and non-profits long before these young people reach our campuses,” Peggy Eighmy said. “I am so proud that UTSA is doing exactly that. "
R&D LEAGUE PARTNERS DEEPEN COMMITMENT TO HELP COMMUNITY
In January of 2020, as HCAP was developing, a separate new research and development program for the city was also being created. The City of San Antonio (CoSA), Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) aligned efforts to form the R&D League. The aim of the R&D League is to create cross-sector, multi-disciplinary teams that use scientific methods and data to investigate new idea, facilitate evidence-based policymaking and explore the frontier of innovation. Several teams and departments within UTSA collaborate with the R&D League in various ways. The College for Health, Community and Policy has major stakes in the League. HCAP’s Julia Wolf, postdoctoral fellow, serves as an R&D League Fellow and a liaison between the researchers of HCAP and the League. Her main project thus far with the League has been the CoSA R&D League Rapid Call program.
The Rapid Call program is a funding opportunity sponsored by the R&D League to enhance greater scientific collaboration between UTSA and CoSA. CoSA department employees laid out six specific challenges for researchers to investigate to enhance city services – from updating the 311 satisfaction survey, to creating toolkits for census data use, to investigating the influence of the digital divide on the Municipal Court’s service delivery and more.
Along with her colleagues at the R&D League, Wolf summarized the six challenges and sent a call for proposals to UTSA faculty with the help of Ana Laredo, engagement manager in the UTSA Office of Strategic Research Development. Wolf, along with Kate Kinnison (R&D administrator at the CoSA Office of Innovation), Jenna Wallace (R&D coordinator
at the CoSA Office of Innovation), the CoSA employees who administered the challenges, and a seed grant review committee comprised of UTSA leadership versed in the CoSA urban challenges then reviewed the proposals and the R&D League awarded grants to those qualifying. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with the R&D League while being a postdoc for HCAP,” Wolf said. “It’s a unique and constructive position that brings together great minds focused on finding innovative solutions to city challenges and residents’ needs.” Congratulations to the following awardees: PI: Wenbo Wu, Graham Weston endowed associate professor, Department of Management Science & Statistics, Co-PI: Pamela Smith, Bodenstedt Chair professor, Department of Accounting, and Co-PI: Ying Huang, assistant professor, Department of Demography for their project titled: “Increasing 311 Satisfaction Survey Participation Rate Through An Improved Survey Design and Delivery Strategy.” They will be working with CoSA 311 City Services & Info.
PI: Lloyd Potter, professor & director, Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research (IDSER), Texas State Demographer, Co-PI: Po-Chun Huang, IDSER senior research associate, and Co-PI: Jeffrey A. Jordan, IDSER senior research associate for their project titled: “Simplified Guide for Planning and Conducting Surveys for COSA Staff Members.” They will be working with the CoSA Department of Human Services and the CoSA Communications and Engagement Department. PI: Richard Hartley, department chair and professor, Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice and Co-PI: Branco Ponomariov, associate professor, Department of Public Administration for their project titled: “Optimizing Service Delivery at the CoSA Municipal Court.” They will be working with the CoSA Municipal Court.
PI: David Han, associate professor, Department of Management Science and Statistics for his project titled: “Development of Automated Data Consolidation Tool and Evaluation of Public Perception for the Affordable Housing Dashboard.” He will be working with the CoSA Neighborhood & Housing Services Department.
DEAN’S COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES
HCAP’s Director of Development, Lisa Hernandez, joined the college in 2021. She immediately dove into setting up a lecture series aimed at inviting city leaders to campus to discuss important, timely events. All lectures in the series fall within one or more disciplines within the the college: criminology and criminal justice, demography, kinesiology, nutrition and dietetics, psychology, public administration, public health, social work and sociology.
“HCAP’s signature event has made strides to provide an opportunity for our students,
alumni and community stakeholders to gather and learn how they can be agents of change,” Hernandez said. “In the fall and spring, we will focus on featuring local leaders who offer diverse perspectives for the university. We are proud of our accomplishments, but have many more areas to explore.”
Although the pandemic forced the first few events to remain virtual, the first in-person event was a direct collaboration with the R&D League: “Evidence-based policymaking: what’s all the buzz about?”
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy welcomed San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, CEO of SwRI Adam Hamilton and Brown University’s David Yokum to the Downtown campus to talk about research and policymaking in San Antonio. All members of the panel are also R&D League partners.
The discussion focused heavily on creating policies based on research outcomes, and all speakers stressed the importance of having a strong research team for any and all issues that a city faces in order to make the most informed decisions.
Other lecture series topics included policing with the community, leading causes of health
disparities, and policymaking and leadership during times of conflict. For each event, distinguished community members discussed relevant and engaging topics and held an interactive Q&A with audience members. Students, faculty, staff and San Antonio citizens came out to the events for an opportunity to engage with the leaders of the community. For more information on the Series, or to suggest a topic, email Lisa Hernandez at lisa. hernandez2@utsa.edu.
As HCAP continues to grow and the city opens up post-pandemic, the college anticipates
strengthening existing research partnerships and creating new ones. In doing so, it is fulfilling its mission to remain cognizant of its citizens needs and desires, and to work with community members and city departments and offices to solve problems and enhance the quality of life for the rapidly growing city of San Antonio. –Amanda Cerreto & Milady Nazir
Left to right: Michael Smith, Lynne Cossman, Rob Tillyer
Tackling crime reduction
While violent crime is rising in many American cities, it is decreasing in Dallas, coinciding with the introduction of the Dallas Violent Crime Reduction Plan. The plan was developed by criminology and criminal justice professors Michael Smith and Rob Tillyer and the Dallas Police Department (DPD).
The plan is set out in three phases: phase one has been in effect for nearly a year, phase two launched in the spring, and the third is planned for later this year. The results so far are impressive: • Violent street crime decreased more than 50% in the targeted hot spots since the plan’s inception • Arrests for serious violent crimes and violencerelated calls were also down by more than 50% and 15% respectively in the targeted hot spots, resulting in fewer arrests for violence and reduced calls to the police for violencerelated concerns • Violent street crime declined by about 15% in 2021 after the Crime Plan went into effect compared to 2020 “I think we expected that crime would go down in the targeted hot spot grids,” said Smith, “because there’s 25 years of research to show that hot spot policing works when done appropriately. The most encouraging part of this is that arrests declined as well.”
The decline in arrests illustrates that crime reduction was not brought on by over-policing, but rather a more targeted, methodical approach. “The plan is purposely designed to not be the ‘90s style, stop and frisk over-policing,” Smith added.
So how is crime going down? The simple, yet powerfully effective, concept of visibility. Smith and Tillyer worked with DPD to identify crime
Violent Crime Summary
City-Wide Non-Treatment/Catchment Grids
Treatment Grids
Catchment Grids
Treatment Grids Only Offender Focused Grids
High Visibility Grids
Pre-Intervention (Jun 1 - Aug 31, 2021)
Post-Intervention (Sep 1 - Nov 29, 2021)
Total Ave. Per Total Ave. Per Incidents week (N=13) Incidents week (N=13)
Percent Change
1,780 136.9 1,536 118.2 -13.7%
1,488 114.5 1,311 100.8 -11.9%
123 9.5 58 4.5 -52.8%
169 13.0 167 12.8 -1.2%
69
54 5.3
4.2 31
27 2.4 -55.1%
2.1 -50.0%
Pre- and Post-Intervention Violent Crime (Jun 1 - Nov 29, 2021)
Average Crimes Per Week, Change by percentage 0
-10
-1
-20
-14 -12
-30
-40
-40
-50
-50 -46 -47
-60
-53
-54 Treatment Grids: AA-NFVTreatment Grids: Robbery (Bus.)Treatment Grids: Robbery (Ind.)Treatment Grids: RobberyTreatment Grids: MurderCatchment GridsTreatment GridsNon-Treat/Catchment Grids City-Wide
Violent Crime Incidents in Treatment vs. Catchment Grids (Jun 1 - Nov 29, 2021) Intervention Treatment Grids Catchment Grids
20
15
10
5
0
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
Weeks
hot-spots in small grids throughout the city, and placed lighted patrol cars on those blocks. The visibility alone was a powerful deterrent in violent crime.
In addition, more attention was placed on repeat offenders and individuals with pre-existing warrants. “Overall arrests were down, but there was an increase in very specific targeted arrests on warrants,” Tillyer said. “The data suggests that the officers were spending their time and focus on individuals with a known association with crime and removing them from the areas.” The opportunity to work with the Dallas Police Department came from Chief Garcia himself; he knew both Smith and Tillyer from a project when he was chief in San Jose, California. Together, the three worked on a crime reduction plan to implement and were able to get support from the city. Critically, the police force was motivated to back the plan – another key component to the plan’s success. Although the plan includes small, specific hot-spots, research continues to be conducted on spillover effects. If a police car is on one block, wouldn’t it make sense for the crime and opportunity to present itself on an unmanned block?
To measure this possibility, the researchers identified catchment grids outside of each targeted hot spot area. The data differs by treatment period; in Period 1 (May-Aug. 2021), catchment grids experienced a 24% increase in reported violent crime, which tracked with city-wide seasonal increases in crime during the summer months. In fall 2021, (Sept.- Nov. 2021), crime fell city-wide and slightly in the catchment grids, while the first two months
Violent Crime: 2019 vs 2020 vs 2021
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2019 vs 2020 % Change -14.5
2020 vs 2021 % Change -18.6
2019 vs 2022 % Change
of 2022 saw a 10% increase in catchment area violent crime compared to a 4% decrease city-wide. While some displacement was seen in a few DPD divisions, other divisions experienced a reduction in crime in the areas surrounding the targeted hot spots. Significantly, violence is down city-wide due to the major reductions seen in the targeted hot spots, which disproportionately contribute to violent crime in Dallas and other big cities. What accounts for the different displacement effects across treatment periods and divisions? Following the displacement in Period 1, Smith and Tillyer recommended that the DPD expand its treatment to adjacent grids during Period 2. Important to note is that while the percentage spike seems relatively high, the number of crimes themselves are low – in some spots, the crimes went from two to three. “By and large, much of the hot spot research does not find much evidence of displacement,” Smith said, “and that is largely true in Dallas, too.” Because of the initial success of the plan, Dallas was awarded the Smart Cities North America award from the International Data Corporation Government Insights. The researchers and DPD hope that the momentum will only grow as the plan progresses. The city and the researchers are moving into the second phase of the plan now, which shifts toward more of a balance between law enforcement and other associated city offices, such as social service agencies, code enforcement, nuisance abatement, homeless shelters and more. This second phase emphasizes engagement with additional city agencies to target violence-prone locations, as summarized by Tillyer: “We want to dig into how we can actually impact the environment and the context where crimes happen.” The Violent Crime Reduction Plan’s first step – identifying and targeting hot spots – is crucial in order to implement the broader parts of the plan. “You’re not going to get the effective impact of community efforts and nonprofits and the business community unless you have an environment that’s relatively safe,” Tillyer added. The final part of the plan goes even broader, building on the first two layers. “We want to identify key players in long-term trends of crime and to provide solutions to prevent violent crime from recurring,” said Tillyer. “We will put a heavy focus on what the community can provide as a comprehensive set of resources – education, jobs, etc. – to deter that future crime.” Smith and Tillyer hope that Dallas can become a model for other communities – although the plans can hardly be cookie cutter, it is clear that with community and police buy-in, crime prevention plans like this work. “These concepts can be adapted to local conditions in a variety of settings,” Smith said. “There will be different challenges, but they can be addressed.”
Smith and Tillyer will soon begin working with the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) to implement a similar plan closer to home. Due to the success in Dallas, cities as far away as Tacoma, Washington have heard about the plan and recently have partnered with Smith and Tillyer for assistance in reducing violent crime. “We are excited about the success Dallas has had so far,” Smith said, “but having a solid strategic plan is only part of the answer to reducing violent crime.”
In the end, residents, police and a wide variety of other stakeholders must work together to sustainably reduce violence over the long-term. –Amanda Cerreto
Grants and awards distinguish HCAP faculty
Over the last year, HCAP faculty have been awarded $3.6M in grants across 14 projects. In addition, they continue to earn awards from professional organizations and the university.
CLOSING THE TECHNOLOGY GAP
UTSA professor Sarah Ullevig has been selected to receive a three-year, $1.18 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to address older adults’ challenges to access health care as a result of COVID-19.
The pandemic highlighted and increased disparities in health access and outcomes for older adults in San Antonio and nationwide. Ullevig, an associate professor of nutrition and dietetics, hopes to close this gap. The NIH grant will be used to offer a training course to older adults and collect data.
Senior centers have traditionally provided hot meals in a congregate setting, opportunities for socializing and educational outreach. Due to the pandemic, however, many of these centers were closed to indoor activity. During the closures, the centers’ five-day congregate meal service was transitioned to twice-a-week curbside pickup distributing the five meals and delivery for those not able to pick up meals. Compounding these challenges, at the same time when food insecurity has reached a new height, many local seniors have been isolated without access to internet technologies. Ullevig will be working with a team of UTSA researchers to advance the project. Her co-investigators include Erica Sosa, associate dean for research and associate professor in HCAP’s Department of Public Health; public health professors Meizi He and Zenong Yin; and Tianou Zhang, assistant professor in HCAP’s Department of Kinesiology. The researchers will work with the City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP to implement a plan to increase access to and develop a comprehensive understanding of technology among San Antonio’s older adult population. OATS will provide the devices, internet access, tech support and a five-week training course to the target population. UTSA will provide a 15-week digital nutrition intervention entirely online following the technology course. The UTSA team is currently designing the nutrition intervention and assessing the needs of older adult community members and staff in San Antonio’s senior centers.
Sarah Ullevig
“We aim to increase access to nutrition information that will promote healthy aging,” Ullevig said. “This collaborative project has the potential to positively impact the older adult community by addressing disparities worsened by the pandemic. Providing older adults with the skills and knowledge to access information online can extend well beyond our project and has a potential broader application through the senior congregate meal program nationwide.” This project is supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01NR020303. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
TEACHER VICTIMIZATION AND BULLYING
Byongook Moon
Issues in education and public schools seem to appear in the news daily – from masks debates to bullying to curriculum changes, there always seems to be something to discuss.
A researcher in HCAP is conducting research exploring an overlooked, but serious issue – teacher victimization.
Byongook Moon, a professor in the Criminology & Criminal Justice department, has earned a grant totaling $579,041 from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to fund this nationwide study. This grant comes on the heels of two previous grants, wherein Moon surveyed teachers in San Antonio. The findings show just how serious the issue is – and as such, he applied for funding to conduct the study on a larger scale. The new study will survey teachers at the 50 largest school districts across the United States, including New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The data collection began in the spring of 2022. This is a longitudinal study that will follow the same teachers over time in order to investigate long-term consequences to teachers, students and administrations.
Moon hopes to shed more light on the oftenoverlooked issue of teacher victimization – and its very serious consequences.
“There are several types of victimization included in the study,” Moon said. “It ranges from physical aggression, theft, verbal abuse, cyberbullying and sexual harassment.” Moon notes that for this study, he is primarily looking at teacher victimization from students, not from colleagues or administrators.
Once the type of victimization is identified, he follows up with looking at the negative impacts that this has on the teachers – physical and psychological well-being, job performance and turnover.
At a time when education is more crucial than ever, and jobs in education are in high demand, Moon believes this research can reveal why teachers are leaving the profession, as well as help school administrators and districts when it comes to handling reported incidents. “Administrators have to take this issue seriously and find a way to address this properly,” he said. While the data collection is a massive undertaking, Moon is hopeful this study will bring more attention to teacher victimization, turnover rates and academic performance. If it is successful, he plans to submit more proposals to extend the research even further.
A VISIONARY AWARD
Shelby Scott
The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Department of Psychology continues to gain recognition as Assistant Professor Dr. Shelby Scott has been awarded the Visionary Grant from the American Psychological Foundation (APF). Scott is now a two-time APF program winner. In 2013, she won an APF Roy Scrivner memorial grant, and now has won an APF Visionary grant for the project “Intimate Partner Violence in Transgender Romantic Relationships: A Dyadic, Longitudinal Investigation of Actor-Partner Associated Risk Factors.” The Visionary Grant seeks to seed innovation through supporting research, education and intervention projects and programs that use psychology to solve social problems in priority areas such as at-risk, vulnerable populations, preventing violence, human behavior and health and eliminating stigma and prejudice. “Transgender and nonbinary people face significant barriers to culturally informed healthcare,” Scott said. “The goal of this project is to better understand the risk factors that predict intimate partner violence, relationship quality, and mental health outcomes in transgender individuals in romantic relationships.” Scott’s research primarily focuses on barriers to healthcare and improving clinical services for LGBTQ+ families. As the director of the PRIDE Family Studies Lab at UTSA, she undertakes this work alongside graduate students and researchers from other institutions.
Scott worked with two other researchers on the project, Dr. Kimberly Balsam (she/they) at Palo Alto University and Lex Pulice-Farrow (he/ they) at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. “This project and this grant award would not be possible without these incredible collaborators,” Scott said.
It is Scott’s hope that the grant will provide a springboard for more federal funding toward this important research. “Our goal is to continue building the basic science of transgender individuals and their romantic relationships to inform couple and family interventions and practitioner guidelines,” Scott said.
VETERANS AND TRAUMA RECOGNITION
Sandra B. Morissette
Professor Sandra B. Morissette has been elected as a Fellow to the American Psychological Association (APA), Division 56 (Trauma Psychology). This national recognition is awarded on the basis of outstanding contributions in the field of psychology that have had a national impact. Morissette has dedicated her career to researching and understanding trauma psychology, particularly in the context of veteran support. As a professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, her research has focused on understanding factors that influence risk, resilience and functional recovery following warzone deployments. “It is an honor and privilege to be elected to Fellow status of APA’s Division 56, not only to be recognized by APA, but especially because it is a recognition from my peers who are Fellows within the division and share a common passion to advance the field of trauma.” Since completing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology, Morissette has conducted important research related to trauma, anxiety disorders and other commonly co-occurring conditions. She has received funding from VA, the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health, and published over 100 scientific articles. “I am personally proud of Dr. Morissette for having been named an APA Trauma Psychology Fellow as it is a quite prestigious recognition,” said Dean Lynne Cossman. “We – as a college – are also proud to have her and her expertise on trauma psychology, particularly associated with veterans’ experiences, at UTSA and in Military City, USA.”
During nearly two decades working for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Morissette developed and directed the first cognitivebehavioral anxiety disorders clinic at VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS), established a new Primary Care Behavioral Health program (PCBH) at VABHS, and contributed to the development of a congressionally-mandated research center for returning post-9/11 veterans in Waco, Texas.
“Notably, Texas has a vast shortage of clinical psychologists, and Waco is an area of particularly high need, neighboring Fort Hood, the third largest military base in the world,” Morissette said. In Waco, among other accomplishments, she established and led a 10-year, VA-funded longitudinal program of research, Project SERVE (Study Evaluating Returning Veterans’ Experiences). Project SERVE is a network of studies designed to independently and collectively contribute to a better understanding of risk, resilience, and functional recovery processes in post-9/11 veterans and their families following warzone deployments. Although Morissette left the VA in 2015, she continues to actively collaborate and lead projects related to this research at UTSA. “I couldn’t have accomplished what I have without an outstanding team of SERVE investigators from around the country,” Morissette said. “We are particularly interested in understanding PTSD risk and resilience within the larger context of co-occurring conditions (e.g., depression, alcohol/substance use disorders, TBI, pain, sleep, suicide, nonsuicidal self-injury). Our overarching aim is to develop translational clinical treatment programs using empirically-supported predictors of risk and resilience for PTSD, co-occurring conditions, and functional recovery.” Morissette received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology in 2001 from Boston University. Her work has contributed in part to a shift in the field to complex co-occurring conditions, particularly anxiety/traumatic stress disorders and addictive behaviors. Moreover, her research has contributed to increased attention on understanding long-term functional recovery processes among returning veterans. “This work is far from done,” Morissette said. “Although most veterans are resilient and will never develop mental health conditions, risk for PTSD is elevated in the context of their higher trauma exposure. We must continue to build a workforce of researchers and clinicians to more fully understand and treat the complexities of PTSD and co-occurring conditions, and promote functional recovery.” In order to be selected as a Fellow for the APA, candidates must show unusual and outstanding contribution or performance in their field and demonstrate national impact. Morissette certainly fits the bill. “I am passionate about conducting research that can help us better understand how to
help veterans and improve VA healthcare,” Morissette said. “To me, it is a way to give back, to serve them, for all they have done in service to our country.”
UT SYSTEM OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD
Gina Amatangelo
In recognition of her impact on UTSA’s undergraduate students, Amatangelo was honored with the 2021 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, the most prestigious teaching award for faculty in the UT System. Every semester, students enrolled in Gina Amatangelo’s Civic Leadership Seminar head to local high schools to engage youth in policy solutions. In partnership with districts and community groups, these UTSA students work with high schoolers to produce recommendations to identify and prioritize policy solutions, and share their ideas with leaders. An assistant professor of practice in the Department of Public Administration, Amatangelo has designed a series of service learning experiences born out of a desire to provide students with true immersion into their community. “When I ask students to plan and lead a workshop, they begin to see themselves as role models for younger students and they build marketable skills,” she said. An example of this influence is clearly seen in alumnus Maverick Crawford. During his time at UTSA, he and his classmates mentored students from Lanier High school. “I told them about my hardships growing up, and I felt a sense of fulfillment because, at that moment, I could give back to someone else what no one gave to me — encouragement,” Crawford said. “I let them know that no matter what situation you find yourself in, never give up on your dreams and don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t have the aptitude to make something of yourself.” After graduation, Crawford was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities and went on to complete a Master of Social Work degree. Amatangelo’s desire for students to forge real connections with people in their community is the purest example of civic engagement. “Many universities have civic engagement classes that train students to ‘deliver’ civic engagement, but fall short of helping them to establish the crucial two-way relationship in which community members are not just the target but essential collaborators,” said Francine Romero, chair of the Department of Public Administration. “Gina’s projects surmount that typical limitation, allowing the high school students to engage as citizens as well as to imagine themselves as scholars in college.” Amatangelo does not just aim for her students to earn high marks, but to become great citizens. Her class assignments incorporate activities such as attending City Council meetings, understanding how government agencies make decisions by reviewing case studies and engaging in a budget simulation. “These activities encourage students to think critically about government, not just from a textbook perspective but from how government actually functions in practice,” Romero said.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and instruction was forced online, Amatangelo pivoted seamlessly and still delivered a highquality experience for her students – first by discussing leadership in times of crisis, and next by hosting 10 virtual community conversations: Compassion in the Time of COVID-19.
“I watched as my students led conversations about what people were observing in the community as we all rushed to find toilet paper and adapt our lives,” Amatangelo said. “We had meaningful discussions about inequality in San Antonio…and how we might grow as a community from this experience.” Students frequently cite Amatangelo as not only their favorite instructor, but as a personal influence and someone who genuinely cares for their well-being. Alumna Andrea Ramos Fernandez recalls how, as an undocumented student in 2016, she felt alone and scared until Amatangelo came into her life.
“Professor Amatangelo was the first educator I shared my immigration status with,” Ramos Fernandez said. “I credit her with encouraging me to follow my dreams and believing in my qualities as a leader. Professor Gina Amatangelo has profoundly impacted my trajectory, and her unending dedication to students is palpable in the UTSA community.” Ramos Fernandez is now pursuing a Master of Public Administration at NYU.
Students also frequently talk about Amatangelo’s enthusiasm for fostering community connections. Students are trained as small group discussion leaders and have volunteered with UP Partnership, the City of San Antonio and other community groups.
“Our whole class came in on a Saturday and volunteered as facilitators and assisted with the event,” recalled alumna Sara Morsi. “Her interest in students and our community is boundless.” This work continued throughout the pandemic as students partnered with SA2020 to support the organization’s community engagement process. Another group of students participated in a virtual international exchange designed to build skills in critical thinking and civil discourse.
It is clear that Amatangelo has a tremendous positive influence on many students who walk through her classroom doors. From mentoring students to becoming leaders in San Antonio to helping heal trauma, her passion and skills are unmatched.
“I work with a group of talented students who are committed to strengthening our communities. It brings me joy to connect them with opportunities and watch them succeed.”
LUTCHER BROWN FELLOWS
Academic Affairs has awarded seven UTSA faculty members with endowed fellowships for the 2021-2022 academic year.
The one-year, nonrecurring appointments provide substantive funding to help advance their research programs. The appointments are effective from September 1 through August 31, 2022.
“These newly tenured faculty have demonstrated an outstanding record of excellence in their scholarly activities and commitment to student success,” said Kimberly Andrews Espy, UTSA provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “It is my honor to be able to help accelerate the success of their research programs through this fellowship.”
Jeff Howard
Jeff Howard is an associate professor in the Department of Public Health and lead researcher for the Consequences of Trauma Working Group at the Center for Community-Based and Applied Health Research. His research concerns traumatic injury, mortality, military/veterans health issues, climate change health impacts and other health disparities. He plans to use the funding from the fellowship to advance his research on drug and alcohol mortality and maternal mortality, with the goal to improve prevention and intervention efforts.
Kellie Lynch
Kellie Lynch is an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. She conducts research in victimology, with a specific focus on gender-based violence. She intends to use the funds from her fellowship to support her research on improving community responses for gender-based violence victims. Lynch is also a recipient of the UTSA President’s Distinguished Achievement Award in Research Achievement.
ACADEMY OF DISTINGUISHED RESEARCHERS
Rogelio Sáenz
The UTSA Academy of Distinguished Researchers has selected five senior faculty members for induction, its largest cohort to date since its inception in 2015. Among them was HCAP’s own Rogelio Sáenz, professor of demography. Sponsored by the UTSA Knowledge Enterprise, the academy honors and recognizes exceptional faculty who are accomplished scholars and who share the university’s continuing commitment to research excellence. Through a rigorous nomination process, the academy selects members who foster the highest quality of research and scholarly activity. Sáenz’s current research is calling attention to and tracking the impact of COVID-19 on the Latino population. He has been nationally recognized for his contribution to scholarship on Latinos and on social justice with an eye toward driving equity, justice and equal human rights for racially marginalized populations. Most recently, this includes collaborative research on a grant funded by the Department of Health and Human Services for strengthening health literacy and recovery from COVID-19 in San Antonio. His book Latinos in the United States: Diversity and Change was a labor of love, with the goal to increase the visibility of Latinos in this country. It is one of the few books written broadly with numerous topics related to Latinos and is popular with undergraduate classes across the country. Along with his former graduate student and now established scholar, Cristina Morales, they are working on the second edition of the book. Sáenz is the recipient of the 2021 American Sociological Association Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award and the 2020 Saber es Poder Academic Excellence Award from the University of Arizona’s Department of Mexican American Studies. –Amanda Cerreto
Francine Romero Chair of the UTSA Department of Public Administration
Serving our city through leadership
San Antonio City Council approved the appointment of Francine Romero, chair of the UTSA Department of Public Administration, to serve as a trustee of CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipal electric and gas utility. Romero, a public policy expert with more than two decades of experience in local public service, was selected from among 26 candidates to fill the vacancy.
Romero’s broad expertise spans the financial, environmental and public policy challenges impacting the Alamo City. From 2016 to 2018, she was the City of San Antonio’s District 8 Zoning Commissioner. She has also served as vice chair of the San Antonio Parks and Recreation advisory board and as vice president of the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy. More recently, she has chaired the San Antonio Conservation Advisory Board and was instrumental in working with Mayor Ron Nirenberg in 2020 to identify an alternative funding mechanism for the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. “Dr. Romero is deeply committed to doing what’s right for San Antonio and San Antonians,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “She is a researcher with deep experience in public administration and public policy, and she understands the complex issues facing our growing city. Drawing on her knowledge and her decades of public service, she is well positioned to advocate on behalf of San Antonians for sustainable and smart solutions that secure our city’s future.” “Dr. Romero has an admirable track record of skillful public service. She is committed to upholding the public trust and exercising responsible fiscal stewardship to protect ratepayers,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “Dr. Romero is well prepared for a role on the CPS Energy board. She understands the importance of electricity issues and what they mean to the most vulnerable members of our city as well as our economy.” In 1998, Romero joined the faculty at UTSA, where she has educated and mentored undergraduate and graduate students seeking to make an impact in public service. Her teaching interests include administrative law and planning and land use law while her research has focused on institutional public policy determinants, local land use policy, 20th century federal and state civil rights policies and Progressive Era policies. Recently, Romero published a peer-reviewed paper examining how San Antonio’s tree preservation ordinance compares with tree ordinances in Charlotte, N.C. and another paper examining anti-zoning restrictions and the political and policy dynamics of municipal annexation in various Texas cities.
With an eye on federal policy, she has also examined the voter turnout in U.S. Presidential elections from 1952 to 2020, the overlooked northern state civil rights statutes that preceded the 1964 federal Civil Rights Act and the determinants of U.S. Senators’ roll call votes on the nation’s first immigration restrictions laws. Romero has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for the impact of her public service. In 2019, she was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame and two years earlier was a nominee for the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum’s Water of Life Award. In 2013 and 2016, respectively, she won the UTSA President’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Community Service and was an honoree at the Green Spaces Alliance’s Land We Love Gala. She is also a recipient of the Patriotic Employer Award from the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense. “Civic engagement is the most powerful force in our democracy. It enables people to advocate for the things that are most important to them and provides a forum for communities to bring forward solutions that will secure their future,” said Romero. “I am committed to shining a light on the experiences and priorities of the diverse constituents that I will represent as CPS Energy navigates its future.” Romero earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, San Bernardino and her master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of California, Riverside. – Tricia Lynn Silva
