TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 Message from the Chancellor
28
College of Business
05 Message from the President
32
College of Education & Human Development
06 First-Year Students Arrive
36
Texas A&M-San Antonio Foundation
12 University Traditions
40
Alumni Connection
14 Professors Pave the Way
41
Chancellor’s Century Council Visits A&M-SA
16 Military Cultural Competency
42
Campus Life
18 Studying Mosquitos That Carry Zika, West Nile
48
University Library
21 Dean Selected as ACE Fellow
49
Financial and Enrollment
23 Audacious Alumni
50
Cabinet
24 College of Arts & Sciences
Dear Jaguar Community,
S
o much has changed so quickly since Texas A&M University-San Antonio was established as an upper-division institution in 2009. The University’s momentum is nothing short of inspiring. As A&M-San Antonio expanded to become a four-year comprehensive university this year, the demand for the limited slots in the school’s first freshman class was overwhelming. It spoke volumes about how A&MSan Antonio is increasing educational opportunities, especially for firstgeneration students. I would like to personally congratulate the 505 freshmen who seized the opportunity to be a part of this historic group. The faculty continues to grow and garner attention. Their commitment to a military cultural competency training was featured in The Washington Post.
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As the threat of Zika loomed in Texas, research conducted by A&M-San Antonio faculty on the mosquitoes that carry the virus was featured in USA Today, NPR and many other outlets. The pace is only going to pick up from here. New degree programs are in the works. We recently broke ground on Esperanza Hall, which will be A&M-San Antonio’s first residence hall. Thanks to generous support from the Texas Legislature, a new academic building dedicated to science, technology, engineering and math education will soon be added to the campus. But even as it rapidly changes, A&MSan Antonio will remain focused on its core mission of increasing access to quality higher education in the region. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this rising star in the Texas A&M University System!
John Sharp Chancellor
Dear Friends and Colleagues of the University Community, As I reflect on the year 2016, I am continuously in awe of the transformative moments of Texas A&M-San Antonio. We have moved at a Jaguar pace, remaining swift yet deliberate in the implementation of our emerging strategic plan for this beloved University.
learning community that exudes A&M-San Antonio excellence. I am happy to report that we proudly celebrated the groundbreaking on our first residence hall—Esperanza Hall—in July 2016, which will be ready for student move-in by fall 2017.
Providing exemplary education has leveraged Texas A&M University-San Antonio in 2016 to become the first comprehensive four-year university on the South Side of San Antonio. This was a game-changing moment for the University, our region and the state of Texas. This triumph came after welcoming 505 students as A&M-San Antonio’s inaugural class of firstyear students. This addition of students has enriched our culture, allowed us to implement new traditions and has sparked creativity campus-wide.
Our faculty members are leading the way in research and instruction. In addition to the national recognition of Zika virus research and our military cultural competency education program, our faculty have published peer-reviewed books, spoken at international conferences and conducted groundbreaking research.
Students who have transferred to A&M-San Antonio are now a few steps closer to fulfilling their aspirations of degree attainment. We proudly support a large number of individuals transitioning from the Alamo Community College District, and we ensure they’re ready for academic advancement by proactively acclimating them to our agile, innovative and entrepreneurial University so they are encouraged and enabled to create a better future for themselves and transform the world. As we continue to grow, we are establishing more traditional college experiences for our students while expanding our academic reach. To accomplish this, we are building a living-
As a Jaguar family, we are growing by leaps and bounds, not only in population, but also in the strength that binds us. As we begin the journey of audacious thinking in 2017, we remain diligent and student-focused on experiential learning and engagement to empower students to attain a degree in four years. This annual report truly captures the enthusiasm and excellence permeating Texas A&M University-San Antonio. It is a celebration of our collective thoughts translated into action. These accomplishments that unfold continue to remind me to pause and celebrate. Here’s to a great 2017, our best days are still ahead.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Ed.D. President
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FIRST-YEAR
STUDENTS ARRIVE
Incoming class is a game-changer
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2016 marked a turning point for Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio as we welcomed our inaugural class of firstyear students – a major event that has been years in the making and one that will forever change the landscape of the local and regional community. This milestone affords the University the opportunity to expand its breadth to more students, and to demonstrate continued leadership in educating underrepresented and first-generation students.
National Model for Student and Academic Success To align with our planning to become a National Model for Student and Academic Success, we are developing new ways to support the needs of firstyear and transfer students by providing programs that propel their quest for academic learning and desire for meaningful career placement. With the help of first-year experience expert John Gardner, a renowned researcher and founder of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, the University is enhancing its plans for comprehensive expansion efforts, with the goal of developing as a National Model for Student and Academic Success. In addition to welcoming highcaliber faculty, the University implemented high impact practices to give incoming students the opportunity to acclimate to their new academic environment in positive and empowering ways.
JagX
An immersion program that enriches learning habits, personal growth and aspirations.
Orientation
Academic Success Coaches
An energizing introduction to campus life for students and their parents.
Professionals who support and encourage students academically and personally on a regular basis.
Jaguar Tracks A series of courses to keep students accountable and motived toward degree attainment. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SAN ANTONIO
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First-Year Students at a Glance Carlos Manjarrez Midland, Texas Major: Business
Numerous intellectual students like Manjarrez took Advanced Placement classes in high school, which have afforded them an academic advantage in college.
Serena Lopez
Students credentials
38%
82%
First-year students were in top quartile of high school graduating class.
3.42
Average GPA of incoming first-year students
Student body self-identified as
505
Hispanic/Latino Enrolled
99%
Between the ages of
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Abran Rodriguez
San Antonio, Texas Major: Criminology “I chose it because the school is small, intimate and interactive.”
17 - 21
60% Females 40% Males
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San Antonio, Texas Major: Psychology “I toured the University and immediately liked what I saw.”
Analuisa Lazaro
San Antonio, Texas Major: Biology “I liked Texas A&M-San Antonio because it’s a close-knit community and it’s close to home.”
University Aims for
• Provide immersion programs before the academic year begins.
The University has “a conspiracy of high expectations” for ourselves and for our students – to attain a degree in four years. We are focused on meeting students where they are on their academic journey, particularly first-generation and underrepresented, and empowering them to reach new levels of success through these specific aims:
• Design learning communities to unify individual field of study early.
First-Year Students
• Plan experiential opportunities to actively observe and affirm career choice.
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Outside of Texas First-Year Student Body The University is serving a population that is growing nationwide – the Hispanic and Latino demographics are increasing annually. A significant percentage of the lower-division students at A&M-SA are a reflection of Texas demographics, which is predicative of the U.S. population in the future.
Out-of-State
Alaska Arkansas California Colorado Florida Indiana Kansas Louisiana Maryland Michigan
Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Mexico New York North Carolina South Carolina Virginia Washington
Outside USA
Declared Major
College of % 58 Arts & Sciences of 23% College Business
19% 10
College of Education & Human Development
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Angola Azerbaijan Brazil People’s Republic of China France Ghana India Italy
South Korea Mexico Nigeria Pakistan Qatar United Kingdom North Vietnam Taiwan
Becoming a Four-Year
Comprehensive University
2000
Our Journey 2009
2011
2015
-
Established as Texas A&M University-Kingsville System Center.
2016
February 3
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approves downward expansion. Begin accepting first-year student applications.
February 5
First student accepted for inaugural class 2020 Richard Acosta, first-generation college student and first-year student
Texas Governor Rick Perry signed SB 629 University becomes a stand-alone institution.
Main Campus opens Permanent home ready for students.
2016
2017
August 22
Esperanza Hall expected opening Student housing with 382 beds ready in the fall.
Inaugural class of first-year students and new transfer students start school. The 2016-2017 academic year begins including lower-division courses.
August 23 Received a Bexar County proclamation from the Bexar County Commissioners Court A prestigious honor recognizing the University for strengthening the Bexar County community by broadening our academic reach and becoming a comprehensive four-year university.
July 5
39 New full-time faculty and 37 new . full-time staff are hired to support the comprehensive expansion.
DRT Collection expected opening Presidio Gallery will house the Daughters of the Republic of Texas collection.
Expansion approved by 84th Texas Legislative Session Begins accepting freshmen and sophomore applications.
2018
Science & Technology Building expected opening Three-story building with classrooms and laboratories ready in the fall.
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TRADITIONS Jaguar March On August 19, the University began a remarkable new tradition, the Jaguar March. Jaguars from the first-year class united to walk a one mile trek down scenic University Way to symbolize the start of their new academic journey at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Members of the University and San Antonio community, including Texas Senator Carlos Uresti, walked alongside the 505 first-year students, the class of 2020. This historic walk unifies the incoming first-year class with a shared tradition.
Jaguar Arise
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A new tradition for transfer students was a luminous event this past fall. Students transitioning from other colleges were welcomed to campus during a dinner celebration on August 16, acknowledging their shared commitment to achieving a fouryear degree. They gathered in the spacious Central Academic Building courtyard to inscribe sky lanterns with their hopes and dreams, then released them to symbolically signal their new beginnings at A&M-San Antonio. Friends and family surrounded these transfer students to celebrate their transition, sharing their dreams with the students.
President´s Picnic The annual President’s Picnic is a playful celebration bringing the University community together and welcoming new and returning Jaguars to campus. Students joined President Matson on the West Lawn for lunch and to celebrate the beginning of the academic year. The event gave students the opportunity to have fun with their classmates, learn about the various resources available on campus and spend time with Dr. Matson.
Fall Fest The Campus Activities Board brought harvest season fun to the campus community during Fall Fest on October 15. The event, which supports fundraising efforts of A&M-San Antonio’s student organizations, included the naming of 2016-2017 Mr. and Ms. A&M-San Antonio, a live concert by The Strive, a costume contest, games, a pumpkin patch and more. There were 25 booths, 16 belonging to student organizations that served the nearly 1,000 in attendance.
Lights of Esperanza The University community celebrated the lighting of Main Campus with more than 20,000 LED lights on November 29, for the anticipated Lights of Esperanza. Students and community members took a magical spin on the ice skating rink, played in real snow on the winter playground and took selfies in the human snow globe. The holiday event drew a festive crowd who celebrated community togetherness, family and aspirations for a bright future.
Ring Ceremony Commemorating a student’s time at the University, the ring ceremony represents their hard work, success and memories of a great academic journey. On April 8, the University hosted two ring ceremonies for spring 2016 graduates, and the day held a double meaning for Aaron Martinez, who proposed to Desirae Garza, A&M-San Antonio presidential ring scholar. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SAN ANTONIO
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Distinguished Faculty Performance Award Winners The University has a diverse group of professors, instructors and researchers who enjoy the fruits of their labor and share their experiences with students to enrich their knowledge, ignite their curiosity and help them discover something new about themselves. They’re dedicated to their passion for learning, committed to their industry and bring students in on their vocational journey
Theresa Garfield Sacco, Ed.D. Dr. Garfield’s talent as an assistant professor in special education and as program coordinator have established her reputation as a mentor and advisor among students and peers. When she’s not with students or giving lectures and presentations, she serves as faculty advisor to the Council For Exceptional Children and the Student Council for Learning Disabilities. She also serves on editorial boards for several journals and is the past president of the Texas Council for Learning Disabilities. Dr. Garfield was awarded the Susan Phillips Gorin National Award for service to special education by the Council for Exceptional Children, and in 2016, was honored with A&M-San Antonio’s Award for Distinguished Service.
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so they too, can tap into the knowledge and expertise of those around them. The University has more than 235 faculty who are the heart of A&M-San Antonio, and it is a pleasure to introduce a few faculty members who are exceptional representatives of the team that teaches, challenges and encourages students to be the best versions of themselves.
Edward Westermann, Ph.D. Variety is the secret to keeping classroom conversations interesting, and no one knows that better than history professor, Dr. Westermann. His courses are popular among students because this instructor is known to teach class in unique and innovative ways. His style of instruction resonates with others and students feel empowered and informed when they learn from him. Dr. Westermann is the faculty advisor to Phi Alpha Theta, the student history national honor society and he lectures at other colleges and museums. In 2016, the University recognized him with the Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Corinna Ross, Ph.D. As an assistant professor of biology, Dr. Ross is successfully converging her research with student learning. She’s an excellent model for students, having introduced new ideas on the topic of aging, which have been published as journal articles. Her credentials as a 20152017 San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Scholar in Clinical and Translational Science also serves to inspire students who have the opportunity to participate in her research projects and presentations. Several of her students have been accepted to attend graduate programs in biology thanks to her tutelage. In 2016, Dr. Ross was honored with A&M-San Antonio’s Award for Distinguished Scholarly Research or Artistic Achievement.
New Faculty Members Teaching First-Year Students To provide instruction to the new class of firstyear students, A&M-San Antonio welcomed 39 distinguished faculty members with regional, national and global connections. New faculty members are collectively providing instruction for 120 new classes that were established to meet the needs of incoming first-year students. These professors apply proven, innovative methods
Qi Han, Ph.D. Originally from Jinan, China, this assistant professor of mathematics relates very well to first-year students because he was the first in his family to attend a university. His experience as a first generation student aspiring to pursue a college degree is a vivid memory for Dr. Han, and he’s pleased to have the opportunity to share his knowledge with those who are just beginning their college journey. As a firstgeneration student who excelled in school, he earned a doctoral degree from a highlyreputable university that ranked in the top three in China for its mathematics program. He is a two-time doctor of philosophy and was a mentor to Worcester Polytechnic Institute students in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.
and unique instructional practices, spend quality time during their two-week intensive orientation to learn and thoroughly understand the student demographics from this region, and how to best engage, serve and support them. The newcomers, some whom are featured here, have an advanced degree in their respective discipline and are experts in more than 20 disciplines.
Jennifer Correa, Ph.D. Having been raised in Dilley, Dr. Correa is familiar with the rich cultural history of the region and is happy to be back in Texas. Her research interests are in Latina/o studies, border studies and human rights. In the classroom, she engages students by applying Paolo Freire’s approach to teaching wherein the student is an active participant in the knowledge creation process. Dr. Correa’s credentials include Recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award from the University of Wisconsin System and co-author of “Affective Labor: (Dis) assembling Difference and Distance,” published by Rowman & Littlefield.
Andrew Sanders, Ph.D. Hearing A&M-San Antonio’s plans for the future was enough to spark excitement in Dr. Sanders and compel him to be a part of something new, where he could really engage students in his discipline. Having research experience in terrorism, modern war, evolution of conflict and Anglo-American relations, this assistant professor of political science, originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, is designing assignments that compel students to utilize and develop transferrable skills. Dr. Sanders is the author of “Inside the IRA” and “Times of Troubles,” both published by Edinburgh University Press. He has presented at the Symposium of Irish Studies in South America, Rio de Janeiro and has plans to present at the at Twelfth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in Hiroshima, Japan.
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MILITARY
CULTURAL COMPETENCY
As a Military Embracing University, faculty embrace military students through increased awareness and understanding When psychology and sociology major Jose Ramirez discovered that veterans were wanted to participate in a military student focus group, he readily reported for duty and volunteered to lead the effort. The University sought military-connected students to provide their perspectives on transitioning from military service to academic studies to contribute relative information for a military cultural competence training for faculty and staff.
NATIONAL ATTENTION The Washington Post, September 8, 2016 “College requires ‘cultural competency’ training to avoid offending an often-overlooked culture: The military” Story by Susan Svrluga Stars and Stripes, September 20, 2016 “Teachers schooled in education of veterans” Story by Alex Horton
Military-connected \’mil-ə-ter-ē\ \k ə-‘nekt-ted\ adjective Indicating current and former military personnel and their family members; one person wears the uniform, but the whole family serves.
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As a former service member in the Navy, Ramirez wanted to share his experience as a student to help other veterans who were striving for a degree after military service. He remembered all too well the anxiety and uncertainty he felt when he transferred to A&M-SA, and he was interested in helping bridge the gap between both worlds.
Unique barriers According to associate professor of psychology and clinical psychologist, K.C. Kalmbach, Ph.D. , an expert on military psychology and student veterans, there are unique barriers that military-connected students encounter in higher education that set them apart from traditional students. Kalmbach describes military-connected students as current and former military personnel and their family members. Nearly half of militaryconnected students are married and about the same percentage have dependents. Most work, at least part-time, and are older upon entering college, so their study skills may be rusty. She explained that these military-connected students are accustomed to a strict and highly structured environment, ruled by a clear chain of command, and that military students may need additional support when transitioning into an academic culture.
Karen C. Kalmbach, Ph.D.
“We don’t want to underestimate or overlook their challenges,” Dr. Kalmbach said. “In many ways, it is a ‘clash of cultures.’ Military students are coming from an all-for-one team culture with an explicit mission and goal and the culture of higher education is more individualistic and focuses on reflection, critical thinking and self-expression.” She explained that the transition can be difficult on their own, hence the reason she led a new mandatory training was to create more awareness and understanding, thereby equipping faculty and staff with a better undesrstanding to serve military-connected students.
Cultural awareness and understanding In late summer 2016, Dr. Kalmbach collaborated with Director of Military Affairs, Richard Delgado to provide faculty and educational program designed to expand their basic understanding of military culture and militaryconnected students. The first instructional session was online and consisted of three components: explaining what it means for A&M-SA to be a Military Embracing University, identifying military branches, protocol and significant events and characterizing the nature of the military-connected population. The subsequent session was delivered face-toface, and faculty learned about the strengths and challenges military-connected students encounter, as well as strategies to facilitate student engagement and success.
Associate professor of psychology Dr. Kalmbach is part of a research team investigating mental health issues in military students transitioning to higher education.
Students provide input for the training. To help put a personal face on the information being presented to faculty, military-connected students were invited to share their experiences.
Karen LunaRodriguez, 25 Spouse of disabled Marine, mother B.S. in criminology, minor in psychology, Class of 2015 “I know they walked away with a better understanding of military students. We’re not traditional students.”
First in a growing trend Dr. Kalmbach reports there is growing interest at many colleges and universities across the nation hope that may be adopting a similar program they will become better equipped to serve military-connected students – a rapidly growing demographic. Most campuses have some type of veterans’ office, and a program of this nature could foster collaboration between that office and counseling, admissions, financial aid and a variety of other support services. “Military-connected students don’t know how to navigate this foreign environment,” Dr. Kalmbach said. Other schools may offer a similar type of training, but A&M-SA appears to be the first in mandating this comprehensive training for all faculty and staff.
“When departments work together seamlessly, when there is a warm handoff, then students are protected from slipping through the cracks.”
Jose Ramirez, 38
Former 2nd class petty officer, Navy, husband, father Senior majoring in psychology and sociology “Acclimating ourselves is the most difficult thing to do, next to learning the material. I know there are a lot of veterans that can agree with me.”
17% NEARLY
OF THE STUDENT BODY IS MILITARY-CONNECTED TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SAN ANTONIO
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STUDYING
MOSQUITOES THAT CARRY ZIKA, WEST NILE Professor leads research team of undergraduate students With the rising threat of the Zika and West Nile viruses, Megan Wise de Valdez, Ph.D. , and her undergraduate research team conducted a unique study in San Antonio this year to survey mosquitoes carrying those viruses. Unlike vector control and surveillance done in the past, the team utilized a different type of trap and enlisted the help of local homeowners in residential areas to collect these insects for scientific study.
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Dense areas identified
First study in metro area With 16 confirmed cases of Zika in Bexar County as of October 2016, Dr. Wise de Valdez’s work is increasingly important. Her research goal is to understand the distribution of mosquitoes that carry these diseases in order to prepare health officials and disease control agencies for outbreaks and control efforts. Wise de Valdez is a vector biologist who studies Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that carries the Zika virus. Her current work distinguishes itself from her previous studies because she utilized different equipment, enabling higher quality collections. In previous studies, the traps used to detect Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were very expensive and labor intensive. The new traps, which had been used by the Center for Disease Control in Puerto Rico as a control method, were utilized as a surveillance tool, allowing the team to carry out the study in a larger metropolitan area.
The new trap attracts female mosquitoes with a simple mixture of hay and water. It is lined with a sticky paper that traps the mosquito when she lands to lay eggs. Undergraduate researchers visited each trap once a week to collect and identify all mosquitoes trapped. The data were then used to determine if hot spots for the Zika (Aedes aegypti) and West Nile mosquitoes (Culex) existed. Dr. Wise de Valdez found that some areas of the city had significantly more Aedes aegypti or Culex than others; however, it was difficult to determine what factors might have caused this pattern. In the future, Dr. Wise de Valdez and her students will take their studies further to attempt to answer why Aedes aegypti or Culex appear in higher numbers in certain areas during the summer months. Dr. Wise de Valdez will also examine whether or not individual homeowners activity or inactivity has an impact on the likelihood that their property area will become a hot spot.
Sharing research aims with the community through local media prompted more than 400 homeowners in the San Antonio area to volunteer their yards as resting places for traps. Dr. Wise de Valdez settled on 120 locations throughout the city for an 11-week period, and the team of 11 undergraduates visited 4-5 traps per day. The peak collection of mosquitoes was more than 8,000 in one week in 2016 using the new receptacle, compared to 650 in one week in 2015 using the former container.
Megan Wise de Valdez, Ph.D. Associate professor of biology Funding 2016 $20,000 Department of Energy sub-award for integrated bio-surveillance test bed for detecting and predicting emergence of mosquitoes - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory $4,000 City of San Antonio Metropolitan Public Health District for subject matter expert on vector surveillance and monitoring
Dr. Wise de Valdez’s study was unique to the United States and it was the largest mosquito study performed in the San Antonio metro area.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Collaborative Research Study Gabriel Hamer, Ph.D, A&M-College Station Texas A&M Health Science Center Zika360 team Zika Taskforce San Antonio Metropolitan Health District TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SAN ANTONIO
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Exceptional
Opportunity Dean selected as ACE Fellow 20
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Recognizing his exceptional talent as Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio’s dean of the College of Education & Human Development, the American Council on Education (ACE) selected Eric J. Lopez, Ph.D. as an ACE Fellow for the 2016–2017 academic year. An inside look As a participant in the nation’s premier higher education leadership development program, Dr. Lopez will spend an academic year at Montana State University in Bozeman, alongside Dr. Waded Cruzado, university president, to learn and serve in a higher capacity. This placement is an opportunity for Dr. Lopez to examine university life from an expansive view. “I will be working directly with Dr. Cruzado and expect to get a university-wide perspective about campus life,” Dr. Lopez said. “I’ll also be looking into their culturally responsive practices, particularly for first-generation students.” Being that A&M-SA is in the midst of a comprehensive expansion, Dr. Lopez is eager to learn how he can utilize the models and programs used at Montana State University to suit A&M-SA’s needs.
Constructive collaboration The aim of the ACE Fellow program is to immerse participants in the culture, policies and decision-making processes of other institutions. The program will afford Dr. Lopez the opportunity to collaborate and network with other fellows by visiting a variety of universities throughout the academic year to learn about organizational structure and governance patterns. In addition, he will be assigned project work that will complement initiatives or strategies for both the host and home institutions. At checkpoint retreats in August, January and June, ACE program participants work on applying their newfound knowledge to specific needs at their home universities and to the realm of higher education in general.
Dual benefit When Dr. Lopez’s appointment at Montana State University concludes in June 2017, he will return to Texas A&M-San Antonio with a renewed perspective about the role of leadership and how to best serve students, faculty and staff. His project work will be complete at that time, and his findings will be an important component in the advancement of both Montana State University and A&M-San Antonio.
Eric J. Lopez, Ph.D. 2016–2017 ACE Fellow
Only ACE Fellow from Texas Native of South Side San Antonio Attended Central Catholic High School B.A. , Texas A&M College Station Ed.S. , University of Iowa Ph.D. , University of Iowa
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President Barack Obama with CHCI fellows
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: ELISA MORALES Working on Capitol Hill in support of health care policy Working among government leaders and key decision makers in Washington, D.C. is a career milestone for Elisa Morales, 2012 MBA alumna. As a fellow with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a prestigious organization with a record of placing Latinos in policy work, Morales made a lasting impression with her research, study and advocacy for health care issues facing Americans, particularly health care disparities.
Bipartisan Experience As a CHCI health care fellow for the 2015–2016 academic year, Morales spent nine months fulfilling critical roles for two congressmen. Her placements were unique in that she worked for members from both political parties in Congress and in both chambers: Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. “It is extremely uncommon to work with both parties because of polarization in D.C. and
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because members want staff to have the same political preference as they do,” Morales said. “My experience was unique, and I got to work on the Hill.” Morales supported the congressmen’s initiatives and committee obligations by conducting health care research, drafting health care legislation and attending briefings, hearings and meetings.
Working on the Hill During her fellowship, CHCI afforded Morales the opportunity to engage in a variety of distinguished events and programs and to showcase her health care expertise. She made the acquaintance of President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) at the Annual CHCI Public Policy Conference and Gala. In addition, Morales earned a Non-Profit Executive Board certification, and she traveled to Tokyo and Hiroshima to participate in a cultural immersion program for leaders that was coordinated through the Japanese Embassy. Her training culminated in a congressional briefing based on her white paper “Curative and Palliative Care: The Ethical and Economical Considerations of a Person-Centered Health Care Paradigm.” The topic focused on end-of-life care, particularly on minorities, and she arranged for a neurologist from Baylor University in Houston, a representative from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and a family member of a palliative care patient to testify to their experiences, which aimed to encourage
Texas District 16 Representative, Beto O’Rourke
Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.)
Congress people and staff to make effective and fair legislation regarding this issue. A highlight of her Capitol Hill experience occurred when she filled in as a legislative aide for Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M. , shortly after the CHCI program concluded. She met with stakeholders, including lobbyist and advocacy groups. Morales was responsible for preparing the Senator for legislative meetings and hearings by providing legislation recommendations to Udall, who sits on the Senate appropriations Committee. “I got an amendment that will provide funding through the Department of Health and Human Services for rural health initiatives,” Morales said. “Getting an amendment on Appropriations is a huge win, especially since I was only two weeks into that job. It was a legacy I got to leave.”
Academic Foundation Morales attributes her readiness for these roles to extra-curricular activities she participated in as a graduate student at A&M-SA. “The great thing about Texas A&M was that I was encouraged by my professors to supplement my education with other opportunities,” Morales said. “So I did the Free Trade Alliance’s Business Plan Competition and went to Ireland and Brazil. I have real-world applications of the principles that I learned. There were not a lot of staffers on the Hill who had opportunities at their universities to have real-world insight into their particular area of study.” She’s confident she will continue to utilize the lessons and skills she learned as a graduate student in her future endeavors.
AUDACIOUS ALUMNI TIM INGRAM - Entrepreneur Class of 2013
Having known since he was a teen he wanted to be a fitness trainer and gym owner, Tim Ingram founded Heavy Metal Fitness a few years after earning a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. As the owner of a hardcore gym, he and his staff are dedicated to providing strength training and performance training to individuals who are serious about improving their health and physical performance. Ingram was compelled to start his own business when he realized he possessed a unique quality that other personal trainers didn’t have. His
credentials and formal education surpassed those who fulfilled the same role, so he decided to bank on his expertise and established his own fitness facility in April 2014. Not only does his formal education surpass his competitors’ credentials, he’s also utilizing lessons learned in biomechanics, exercise physiology and anatomy in his daily work. Attending A&M-SA exposed him to courses he hadn’t considered taking. However, these subjects are an important element to his ability to provide services to his clientele.
NATHAN GERSHON - Harvard Bound Class of 2014 After earning a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from A&M-SA, Nathan Gershon is bold in his pursuit of his aspirations. Having moved to Boston for his wife’s medical residency, Gershon yearned to pursue graduate school in a city populated with prominent Ivy League institutions. Having worked public affairs assignments as a police officer in La Vernia, Texas, he was interested in news writing. Gershon decided Harvard University’s graduate program was the best fit, and he successfully completed all required coursework in May 2016 to earn a master’s in journalism.
Although he was surrounded by young adults from affluent families and prominent professors, some instructors having been winners and nominees of the Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize, Gershon attributes his persistence in education to the teaching styles of A&M-SA instructors. As an alumnus, he learned how to embrace the challenge to perform better as a student, and he’s grateful that the experiences he gained as a Jaguar helped him succeed at Harvard.
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COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES Arts and Humanities This fall, our first as a stand-alone department, we welcomed 14 new full-time faculty and taught 67 new lower-division course sections in art, music, composition, speech, philosophy and U.S. and world history. Arts and Humanities faculty published scholarly books on topics ranging from a comparative study of genocide in Nazi Germany and the American frontier, to gender and economics in Shakespeare’s plays. This department also established on-site programs with Univision, the San Antonio Museum of Art, the San Antonio Food Bank and the Witte Museum, to help students make connections between the classroom and the community. Science and Mathematics Faculty in the Department of Science and Mathematics were actively involved in the design of teaching and research space in the new Science and Technology Building, which is scheduled to open in fall 2018. Faculty in this department published or delivered presentations on topics ranging from the Zika virus to the development of military cultural competence training. They also engaged in activities that incorporate high impact practices (HIPs) into courses across the department, with initiatives that include an online math placement assessment for students, writing initiatives in chemistry and the development of programlevel competencies in several programs.
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Social Sciences In fall 2016, faculty in the Department of Social Sciences had research published in a variety of scholarly journals, including the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, the American Journal of Criminal Justice and Societies Without Borders. Several students also presented the results of their own research at various conferences. The Department of Social Sciences also hosted a diverse range of speakers, who presented on topics ranging from employment opportunities with the FBI, to research into Westboro Baptist Church and the importance of free speech in higher education.
BRIGHT SPOTS William Bush, Ph.D./ Faculty An article co-authored by Dr. Bush, associate professor of history, titled, “Commentary: The Shame of Texas,” was published by The Huffington Post and the Austin AmericanStatesman. The article, co-authored by Dr. Octavio Martinez, describes the evolution of mental health services and reform in the Lone Star State after what they deem a long era of neglect. Dr. Bush also authored peerreviewed “Circuit Riders for Mental Health: The Hogg Foundation in Twentieth-Century Texas,” which was released in October.
Roberta Cancio/ Alumni Cancio, the first female to earn a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Fire and Emergency Services Administration degree from A&M-San Antonio in 2015, has her sights set on career advancement within the San Antonio Fire Department. As a seven-year firefighter and emergency medical technician who maintains a committee member role with the San Antonio Firefighters Professional Association, Cancio is utilizing her formal education and experience to prepare for the fire engineer exam.
Sherry L. Hardwick/ Student This sociology senior discovered a passion for research and was afforded a unique opportunity to utilize her newfound talent to uncover how waste water injections by oil and gas companies induce earthquakes in Texas and Oklahoma. Hardwick gained a credential for contributing to Dr. Joseph Simpson’s preliminary research findings which were presented at the Society for the Study of Social Problems in Seattle, Washington.
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DEPARTMENTS
DEGREE
12
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2,156
STUDENTS 99 FACULTY
SCHOLARSHIP EMPOWERS JOURNALISM STUDENTS Four exceptional communication students were recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) San Antonio Chapter in spring 2016 and were awarded with an academic scholarship to further their studies. Gabriela Rodriguez, Ami Sarabia, Victoria Uribe and Oscar Gonzalez were given financial awards, ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 to expand their knowledge and skills. A&MSan Antonio is making its presence known among this community, as its scholarship recipients nearly made up almost half of the nine journalism students honored with a financial gift from the San Antonio Chapter of SPJ. The Society of Professional Journalists is dedicated to encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced more freely and fully, stimulating high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism and perpetuating a free press for more than 100 years.
Mirley Balasubramanya, Ph.D Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
William Bush, Ph.D. Chair, Arts & Humanities
Durant Frantzen, Ph.D. Chair, Social Sciences
Marvin Lutnesky, Ph.D. Chair, Science & Mathematics
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COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Embracing the University’s new standing as a four-year institution, the College of Business made changes to some degree plans for the 2016-17 academic year to help students, particularly firstand second-year students, gain the most from their experience at A&M-San Antonio. In addition to coursework, an emphasis on engaged learning has been elevated to new heights. The Department of Management and Marketing has new onehour-credit courses that include topics such as teamwork, service learning, internships and public speaking. In addition, new courses are being offered to reflect modern marketing methods in addition to revealing standards of conduct in the marketplace. Marketing students who successfully complete the principles of marketing course may register for upper-division courses, such as digital marketing, branding, sports marketing and service marketing. The College changed the prerequisite system to allow more flexibility for students and to improve course sequencing so students may obtain a degree in a timely manner.
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BRIGHT SPOTS Arne Baruca, Ph.D. / Faculty Serving as an assistant professor in the Department of Management and Marketing since fall 2015, Dr. Baruca was excited to be one of the first to teach new marketing courses offered to business students in 2016. Tapping into his passion, he gave instruction in digital marketing, branding and sports marketing. He has his sights set on developing a social media marketing course in the near future and has a peer-reviewed piece accepted for publication in 2017.
Nichellie James/ Alumni Having earned a B.B.A. in human resources and a MBA in project management, James has successfully utilized her education in challenging professional endeavors. The lessons learned and experience gained as an A&M-San Antonio student were instrumental in her work for the City’s Solid Waste Management division. Now, she’s transferring her business acumen as an emerging entrepreneur launching a dental practice for her husband.
Maleny Rodriguez / Student Being an active member of A&M-San Antonio’s student chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management Association (SHRM), while pursuing her B. B. A. with a human resources concentration, Rodriguez gained knowledge, experience and financial awards. In the two years she attended the University, she participated in SHRM competitions in Arizona and Georgia. In her senior year, she served as vice president for the student chapter and was awarded $2,000 in scholarships.
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1,631 STUDENTS 60 FACULTY
Tracy Hurley, Ph.D. Dean, College of Business
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) renewed its partnership with A&MSan Antonio by acknowledging the Bachelor of Business Administration-ManagementHuman Resources concentration corresponds with the SHRM’s Human Resources (HR) Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. Amy Lewis, Ph.D. , associate professor and department chair in the College of Business who helped facilitate the renewal, has seen the tremendous benefit this professional relationship yields to University HR faculty and students. The faculty created a curriculum that prepares students for successful careers in human resource management, therefore employers can be confident that graduates have completed a course of study that aligns with SHRM best practices. Professional relationships have been beneficial for HR students receiving scholarships from community partners where they recieve both
financial support, mentorship and are tutored to be carreer-ready. SHRM at Texas A&M University-San Antonio awarded its first $1,000 HRx Experiential Internship Scholarship. Individual winners receive the award after the successful completion of an internship with a local nonprofit organization.
Amy Lewis, Ph.D. Chair, Management & Marketing
Another professional group, the San Antonio Human Resource Management Association, generously awarded a graduate student a bonus scholarship because of the student’s ability to earn two consecutive scholarships from the same organization. HR students also do their part to give. Members of SHRM hosted a food drive to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank, collecting nearly 26,000 pounds of food at its fourth annual Fill the Cart Food Drive.
Syed Harun, Ph.D. Chair, Accounting & Finance Chair, Computing & Cybersecurity
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Faculty research and community involvement has fortified the College’s reputation as a hands-on team that builds community partnerships. Numerous professors’ outstanding work in 2016 further elevated department credentials. In the education sector, Vivien Geneser, Ph.D., became lead editor for Early Years Journal, a publication of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. Edith Esparza-Young, Ed.D., program coordinator and assistant professor of Bilingual Education was selected as a grant recipient by the United States Department of State and Georgetown University to serve as an English Language Specialist in Spain for three weeks. Dr. Young trained American Fulbright Scholars, as well as Spanish Fulbright scholars and close to 500 teachers and administrators in Madrid, Barcelona and Logroño. She was keynote speaker at the Franklin Institute at the University of Alcalá. She was also selected as a participant in The Latina Leadership Institute (LLI), a program of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The LLI is the first one of its kind in the nation. The College and the Bilingual Education Program signed a memorandum of understanding with the San Antonio Book Festival to formalize a collaboration to support communities in Bexar County. Lastly, members of the Writing Across the Curriculum Committee attended the International Writing Across the Curriculum Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan to focus on broadening ideas of differences within and beyond the classroom to include social, cultural, linguistic, modal and media differences.
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BRIGHT SPOTS Melissa Jozwiak, Ph.D. / Faculty Sharing her research and analysis in a comprehensive volume, Dr. Jozwiak coauthored “Continuity in Children’s Worlds: Choices and Consequences for Early Childhood Settings.” Published by Teachers College Press, she and her colleagues Betsy Cahill, Ph.D. , and Rachel Theilheimer, Ed.D. , promoted the book at events hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children in Baltimore and Los Angeles and at the Bank Street College of Education event in New York.
Bianca Goodrum / Alumni As a licensed professional counselor intern at the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, Goodrum attributes her professional growth to the A&M-SA professors in the M.A. Counseling & Guidance program. In her role helping children, as young as three, and their families deal with grief and heal from loss, Goodrum says her experience as a graduate student has been instrumental to her on the job. She now aspires to earn a doctoral degree so that she too can teach and prepare others, just as was done for her.
Carlos J. Ortiz / Student Ortiz, a 23-year member of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), was recognized for his outstanding performance on the job when he received the Detective of the Year Award in June 2016. He was nominated by his supervisors, and SAPD’s chief, assistant chief, deputy chiefs and the district attorney were present at a ceremony honoring him. Ortiz, a triathlete who aspires to coach, is pursuing a master’s degree in kinesiology.
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W. Sean Kearney, Ed.D. Interim Dean
NEW PROGRAM BENEFITS TEACHERS AND SCHOOL DISTRICT Three professors’ proactive partnership with the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) to train literacy specialists has evolved into a popular curriculum among school teachers within the district. In an effort to fulfill the District’s need for long-term trained reading teachers, Jenny Wilson, Ph.D. , Ramona Pittman, Ph.D. and Rebekah Piper, Ph.D. led a degree program at A&M-SA offering SAISD teachers an opportunity to earn a Master of Science degree with a Reading Specialist Certification. The SAISD Reading Teacher Fellows program is a unique certification program that ensures SAISD retains high-quality teachers who will serve as campus community literacy leaders
to support other teachers in attaining reading standards for the student body. Of the 90 applicants, 20 teachers representing 16 different schools were selected for the first cohort, and plans for a second and third are underway. According to Dr. Wilson, the program is beneficial on many levels. “Primarily, we are attempting to build connection between the teachers and districts that we ultimately serve,” Dr. Wilson said. In addition, teachers are given the opportunity to learn and practice newfound strategies in small group settings and the school district is retaining these teachers for five years upon the receipt of their reading certification, who will in turn serve as literacy leaders who support other teachers on campus.
“The Masters in Reading cohort is going well. It’s one important piece of many efforts we have underway to improve literacy in SAISD.” -Superintendent Pedro Martinez, San Antonio Independent School District
Debbie Vera, Ph.D. Chair, Educator & Leadership Preparation
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PARTNER
WITH US PROVIDE INDUSTRY-RELATED
SCHOLARSHIPS TEXAS A&M-SAN ANTONIO
FOUNDATION
Since its inception, the Foundation has secured more than $3.5 million and awarded scholarships to more than 5,000 well-deserving students. The mission of the Texas A&M-San Antonio Foundation is to fundraise for Texas A&M University-San Antonio and to create a university that will empower our citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide for a prosperous community. Established in 2008, the Foundation is committed to helping provide financial resources to ensure the success and permanence of A&M-San Antonio. Generous gifts in 2016 include $250,000 to create the Carlos and Malu Alvarez Endowed Scholarship made through the Impetus Foundation and a combined $200,000 endowment thanks to the Greater Texas Foundation/Alonso Ancira Removing Educational Barriers Scholarship Endowment.
DEVELOP FIELD
RESIDENCY
OPPORTUNITIES CREATE SERVICE
LEARNING PROGRAMS OFFER PAID INTERNSHIPS
SUPPORT RESEARCH
INITIATIVES
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CONNECTIONS
BRIGHT SPOTS EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SUCCEED
To fuel students’ quest for academic excellence, Texas A&M University-San Antonio Foundation provides scholarships to help students in need. As a university that caters to all students, including first-generation students, the Foundation has awarded more than $400,000 to A&M-San Antonio students. During the 2016 Dream Maker Luncheon, an event that honors stand-out community members and their contributions to higher education, four scholarship recipients were introduced.
Marcos Mora I believe that I will be able to contribute to and learn from the academically challenging environment that awaits me. Thereafter, I will take aim to gather all my learned experiences from my master’s studies to the business world. My goal is to solidify myself in the real estate industry.
James Robles I understand that in order to keep moving up, it takes a lot of dedication and time. I plan on becoming one of the best elementary bilingual teachers so I can change my students’ lives the same way my ESL high school teacher did for me when I first moved to San Antonio from Mexico in 2008.
Selena Sanchez When I was younger I didn’t want to be a princess or the president. I wanted to be an officer. I want to help people in ways they have never been helped. I want to solve their cases and give them purpose because that is what is important to me.
Deidre Sequira By putting in the work and keeping my pathway clear and my goals in sight, I know, without a doubt, that I will achieve my dream of being a teacher. I’m continuously striving to keep my grades up, especially in those classes that pertain to my major, English. I want to teach English.
FOUNDATION OFFICERS: Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Ex-Officio Member C. Clark Welder, Chairman Evangelina G. Flores, Immediate Past Chair Danny Zimmermann, Chairman-Elect Derek E. Naiser, Treasurer Alexander A. Travieso, Secretary
FOUNDATION MEMBERS: Cresencio Davila Raul B. Fernandez Chuck A. Gregory Alan Hepp Kirk D. Kistner Dr. Frank Madla, III Harold Oliver
Amparo H. Ortiz Mark Outlaw Dr. Arline Patterson Josue Reyes Micah Salinas Cindy Taylor
FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS: Alamo Chapter/Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association Scholarship (AFCEA) Alonso Ancira US Scholarship Alonso Ancira MEX Scholarship American Petroleum Institute Scholarship (API) AT&T Scholarship Bunny Jean Raba Scholarship City of San Antonio Pathway to Leadership Scholarship Creekmore Military Counseling Scholarship Creekmore Teacher STEM Scholarship Hispanic Organization for Public Employee’s Scholarship (HOPE) Hispanic Women’s Network Holt Cat Scholarship Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Red McCombs PIE Veterans Scholarship San Antonio Hispanic Chamber Scholarship San Antonio Institute of Internal Auditors Scholarships (SAII) San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship School Leadership Consortium Principal Scholarship SEF Panel Fund
St. Phillips Presidential Scholarship Super Lead Superintendent Scholarship Terracon STEM Scholarship Texas A&M University-San Antonio Foundation Scholarship Texas Society of CPA’s Toyota Martin Luther King, Jr. Teacher STEM Scholarship Toyota My Brother’s Keeper Teacher STEM Scholarship
FOUNDATION ENDOWMENTS: American Petroleum Institute Scholarship Endowment (API) AT&T Scholarship Endowment Clare A. Raymond and A. Lackey Scholarship Endowment La Prensa Scholarship Endowment Madla Scholarship Endowment Real Estate Council of San Antonio-Michael Guerra Scholarship Endowment Greehey Endowment
$419,000 was disbursed to A&M-San
Antonio students through the Foundation and its partnerships
2008
FOUNDATION FORMED
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SCHOLARSHIPS CREATED ENDOWMENTS CREATED
8 PRE-ENDOWMENTS
TEXAS A&M-SAN ANTONIO RAISING FUNDS TO BENEFIT STUDENTS 2016 DREAM MAKER REGENT ELAINE MENDOZA The seventh annual Dream Maker Luncheon on October 18 marked a milestone for the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Foundation. The event was a celebration of Regent Elaine Mendoza as 2016 Dream Maker Scholarship honoree, and the Foundation received a $50,000 special contribution from the J.L. Santikos Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation. Addressing an audience of more than 350, including Mayor Ivy Taylor, Chancellor John Sharp, Texas State Representative John Lujan and Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff among others, Regent Elaine Mendoza discussed the statistics and workforce predictions made by the former State of Texas Demographer, Steve Murdock, Ph.D. , in 2000 and she reflected how Texas A&M-San Antonio’s presence is fortuitous. She recalled Murdock’s warning that if nothing was done to change the decreasing trend of education levels, Texas would be one of the most under-educated and poorest states in the nation by 2050. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has addressed that issue with its 60x30TX plan (60 percent of the population between 24 and 35 will have a college degree or certificate). A&M-San Antonio supports the plan because of its location, which has unlocked the potential of the surrounding community, becoming one of the community’s greatest strength. Believing that education is the ultimate dream maker, Regent Mendoza has witnessed A&M-San Antonio adapt and change to meet students’ needs where they are. The University leaders, faculty and staff are thinking in new ways and are servicing students differently, beyond the standard academic and financial support. She has seen the University mold itself into an institution that values students’ demographics that will make, not break Texas. Regent Mendoza is the founder, president and CEO of Conceptual MindWorks, Inc. (CMI), a biotechnology and medical informatics company in San Antonio, Texas. She has served on the Board of Regents since 2011 and she holds the position of vice chairman of the board. She is serving her third term as chair of the committee on Academic and Student Affairs and she is a member of the Committee on Audit. She also serves as a liaison to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Regent Mendoza received a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University. The Dream Maker Award, established in 2009, honors community members for their significant contributions to education and in making the dream of a higher education possible for thousands. Past honorees include Lowry Mays, Dr. Carl Raba, John and Ida “Weisie” Steen, Peter Holt, Peggy and Dan Allen Hughes Jr. , Coach Gene Stallings and William “Bill” Greehey.
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
The Texas A&M-San Antonio President’s Circle plays a vital role in providing funds for specific presidential initiatives. Members are philanthropists who believe in A&M-San Antonio and its mission. Gifts of the President’s Circle • Support the President’s Research Grant Program, which is an annual $35,000 University-matching research grant to provide mini-grants for undergraduate research in all disciplines. • Underwrite new initiatives by the University President that enhance A&M-San Antonio’s strategic plan.
• Provide support for faculty and student research and learning achievements. • Bring distinguished speakers to campus for keynote lectures. • Support other unplanned or unforeseen programs which the President considers important or valuable to the University. • Advance economic development for the entire community.
“Institutions must adapt and change to meet students where they are, and meet their needs. It requires new thinking and different investments.” - Regent Elaine Mendoza
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE MEMBERS Ms. Kathleen Acock Mr. Richard Acosta Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Adams Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Alexander Dr. Mishaleen Allen Mr. Charlie Amato Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Ayala Ms. Carri Baker Justice Marialyn Barnard Dr. Gary Barnard Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bolner ‘73 Mr. Doug Brown Mr. T. Randall Cain & Mrs. Jyl Cain Mrs. & Mr. Betsy Cameron Dr. Chuck Carroll Mr. Douglas Carter Mr. Paul Carter Dr. Gary Coulton Ms. Yvonne De La Rosa Mr. Richard Delgado Mr. & Mrs. Tom Dobson Mr. Geof Edwards Ms. Joyce Ellis Mr. & Mrs. Dick Evans Mr. Raul B. Fernandez Dr. Sylvia Fernandez Dr. Maria H. Ferrier Mr. Matt Foerster Mr. & Mrs. Jose Garcia Dr. & Mrs. Remigio L. Garcia Drs. Sam & Nancy Garcia Ms. Aracely Garcia-Granados Dr. Vivien L. Geneser Ms. Marie Goforth Dr. & Mrs. William Gordon ‘67 Mr. Jim Goudge
Dr. Carolyn Green Dr. Richard P. Green, III & Mrs. Nora L. Peterson Ms. Helen K. Groves Ms. Debra Guerrero Dr. James C. Hackard Dr. William Harmon Dr. Syed M. Harun Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Heath Mr. Joel Hernandez Mrs. Juana E. Hollin-Avery Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Hoog Dr. Tracy Hurley Mrs. Joy Hutchinson Dr. Robert M. Jones Mr. & Mrs. W. B. Kopper Ms. Carolyn Labatt Mr. Mike Lackey Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Lasswell Dr. Amy Lewis Ms. Jane H. Macon Dr. & Mrs. Frank Madla, III Dr. Rey Madrigal Dr. Melissa Mahan Mr. & Mrs. Roy G. Martin Mr. Lowry Mays Mr. Red McCombs Mr. Gregg D. McDonald Dr. Sylvia Medel Dr. Barbara M. Menconi Dr. Maria R. Montecel Mr. & Mrs. Sam Mullen Mr. Henry R. Munoz, III Mr. & Mrs. Mike Nguyen Mr. Mark Oppelt Dr. Richard P. Ortega
Col. (Ret) Gary Patterson Dr. Arline Patterson Mr. Tony Pelletier Mr. Joe Pena Mr. Scott Polikov Dr. Carl F. Raba, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William Raba Mr. Bill Reeves Mr. Todd Renaud Mr. Josue Reyes Ms. Marilu Reyna Dr. & Mrs. Charles Rodriguez Ms. Maria C. Rodriguez Mr. Ralph Rodriguez Ms. Sylvia Rodriguez Mr. Juan A. Ruiz Mr. & Mrs. Francisco Sanchez Dr. Robert Schnitzler Dr. & Mrs. Brent Snow Dr. Josephine Sosa-Fey Ms. Patricia P. Stout Mr. & Mrs. Penrod Thornton Mr. Thomas Timmer Dr. Deborah L. Valdez The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte Mr. Pete Van de Putte Mr. Mario A. Vazquez Mr. Manuel Villa Dr. Velma Villegas Mr. Klaus Weiswurm Judge & Mrs. Jeff Wentworth Dr. & Mrs. Edward Westermann Dr. Edith E. Young Mr. & Mrs. H. B. Zachry, Jr.
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ALUMNI CONNECTION
A LASTING IMPRESSION The University’s first 5,000 graduates, along with founding faculty and staff have their names etched in bricks that have been placed in the ellipse at the entrance of the Madla Building, surrounding Senator Frank L. Madla’s statue. The brick campaign allows A&M-San Antonio alumni a way to mark their academic accomplishment, which contributes to cultivating the future of A&M-SA alumni.
SUMMER FUN The heat could not keep the A&M-San Antonio alumni away from the San Antonio Missions game for their July mixer. The “Partnership in Education” event, hosted by Red McCombs, kicked off with the University’s Vice President of Advancement, Richard Ortega, Ed.D. , throwing the first pitch and helping bring good luck to the home team, who finished the evening with a win
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ALUMNI SUPPORT
Alumni Affairs welcomed its first alumni director for Texas A&M-San Antonio in 2016. Mary Kay Cooper, Ed.D., who has nearly 25 years of experience in higher education, has made plans to provide alumni more opportunities, such as career networking, continuing education and social events in 2017. Email Mary.Cooper@tamusa.edu to stay connected.
CHANCELLOR’S CENTURY COUNCIL VISITS A&M-SA CULTURAL ELEMENTS SPARK FESTIVITIES The Chancellor’s Century Council may not have known what to expect when they visited San Antonio last March, but they were in for a treat. Texas A&M-San Antonio pulled out all the stops and gave the Council a memorable experience that helped show why A&M-San Antonio is the fastest growing school in the University System. The Council was treated to several rounds of cultural flair and festivities that were interspersed between meetings and sessions. With the help of Evangelina “Vangie” Flores, Texas A&M University-San Antonio Foundation Board Chairwoman, the Council sampled the excitement and fanfare of San Antonio’s Fiesta, with serenades by mariachis, cracking of cascarones and introductions to members of the Fiesta Court. The 68th Rey Feo, Darren Casey, inducted Chancellor John Sharp, President Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Chairwoman Vangie Flores and University supporter, Lowry Mays, into the Order of the Cabrito, a very high honor the Rey Feo can bestow on spirited individuals who help make San Antonio a great and vibrant city. The strong bond A&M-San Antonio has with the community was also evident when Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. presented a $50,000 gift to the University. As the University’s South Side neighbor, Toyota is responsive to the University’s needs, and both work in tandem to enrich this sector of San Antonio. The Council’s visit also included an opportunity to talk with students, attend lectures from faculty and a briefing from Texas Higher Education Commissioner, Raymund Paredes, Ph.D. and tour of the campus.
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CAMPUS LIFE
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH 50TH ANNIVERSARY
BUT TON UP
ENGINEERING SUMMER CAMP
Members of the Mexican American Student Association rallied other student organizations to participate in the Cesar Chavez March, a historic trek started by the United Farm Workers of Rio Grande City that sparked the Chicano Civil Rights Movement in Texas.
To help students look their best at interviews, internships and networking events, the Career Clothes Closet launched in 2016 as a resource for job seekers. With the assistance of Chancellor John Sharp, the Century Council and other donors, Button Up opened shop at A&M-San Antonio with hundreds of clothing items.
Serving as a host venue for the Prefreshman Engineering Program, A&M-San Antonio welcomed 140 middle and high school students to Main Campus during the summer months. Participants worked on algebraic structures, physics and problem-solving, attended lectures and saw a demonstration by an award-winning team from S.T.E.M. Early College High School at Harlandale ISD.
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GIRLS INC. Middle school girls who actively participate in Girls Inc.’s Eureka program delved into their love for science, technology, engineering and mathematics at A&M-San Antonio this summer. Being on Main Campus, the girls got introduced to college life by working in a lab environment and learning concepts and technologies to enhance their knowledge and expose them to new ideas.
PSYCHOLOGY SUMMER DAY CAMP Thirteen students in grades 7-10 participated in the University’s first Psychology Summer Day Camp, a learning, cognition and memorythemed camp hosted by select faculty members and students from the College of Arts & Sciences. Students learned about the structure and function of the brain and completed memory, critical thinking, emotion and learning classroom exercises.
MAKING AN IMPACT - DAY OF SERVICE More than 180 A&M-San Antonio students showed up for the University’s inaugural Choose Act Impact Day of Service on October 29. Participants volunteered at various organizations to provide a helping hand and learn more about community services, such as Haven for Hope, the San Antonio River Authority and the San Antonio Food Bank.
SUPPORTING SOLDIER’S ANGELS MOBILE FOOD DRIVE Faculty, staff and students came together with community organizations to support the Soldiers’ Angels Texas, a division of the national nonprofit organization that provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States armed forces. Volunteers operated two mobile food distributions to help veterans throughout the city.
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CAMPUS LIFE ARTS AND CULTURE
PRESIDIO GALLERY
HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION
FESTIVAL DE CASCARONES
With the support of County Judge Nelson W. Wolff, the Bexar County Commissioners Court approved Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio’s request for a cooperative agreement to allocate space in the former Federal Reserve Bank Building in downtown San Antonio. Utilizing the Presidio Gallery’s 10,000 square feet, University programs will be strongly enhanced by the placement of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas’ historical items, which will be on loan, and increase the University Library’s archives and special collections unit.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio unveiled the city’s newest historical marker on campus on September 22, recognizing and honoring the history of the rich land where indigenous people and Spanish settlers once lived. The Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony was led by Francis Galan, Ph.D. and featured a brief history of the land by Amy Porter, Ph.D. , included a Native American recitation by the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions and a guest lecture by Andres Tijerina, Ph.D.
Nearly 6,000 people celebrated the rich tradition of Fiesta at A&M-San Antonio’s 6th Annual Festival de Cascarones on Sunday, April 24. Country music legend Tracy Lawrence performed, and the crowd of students, alumni, friends, family and community members enjoyed the variety of foods and games offered by student organizations, local school groups, community non-profits and businesses. This grand tradition is grounded in the rich heritage of the South Side and the City of San Antonio.
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SEPTEMBER 11 A&M-San Antonio was honored to welcome the team from Ground Zero 360, 9/11 survivor families, local officials, visitors and runners on September 11 for the 15th anniversary of the tragic day that changed our country forever. GROUND ZERO 360 AND 9/11 SEEDLING
The University received a seedling from the 9/11 Survivor Tree, the sole tree that remained after the destruction of the World Trade Center buildings, in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The formerly damaged tree, a Callery pear, was nursed back to health and is standing strong at Ground Zero. Since 2013, the 9/11 Memorial has awarded qualified applicants a 10-ft seedling. In partnership with Ground Zero 360, the 9/11 seedling, the first in San Antonio, was dedicated and replanted in the Patriots’ Casa Healing Garden on Sunday, September 11. The seedling was delivered to Patriots’ Casa by Patrick Jackson, brother-in-law of fallen Rescue 2 Firefighter Kevin O’Rourke (New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and William Bovaird, a family friend. The University also hosted the 9/11 Heroes Run in partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation. The total participant number, including volunteers, walkers and runners topped 308, with 276 runners participating in the 5K run and one-mile fun run to benefit the Patriot’s Casa Fund and the Travis Manion Foundation. Photos and items from 9/11 were also on display in Patriots’ Casa, and additional pieces are available for viewing at the former Federal Reserve Bank Building downtown San Antonio.
CONVERTING VETERAN TALENT INTO CIVILIAN JOBS
Texas A&M University-San Antonio participated in a program that prepared 20 veterans to enter the civilian workforce through a free, specialized national training opportunity provided by IBM and Corporate America
Supports You (CASY), a national nonprofit that helps veterans find employment. The training is part of a new veterans initiative launched by IBM and CASY to help local veterans translate their military experience into high-skilled jobs. Texas veterans received free IT training and job placement assistance at Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio. The week-long training and certification course focused on data analytics software called i2 Analyst’s Notebook.
SOLDIER SMART
The Soldier Symposium, in its second year, is a round-robin training event that brings together all medical personnel in school to the Texas A&M University-San Antonio campus for an all-day, off-site training. The Symposium is aimed at the young Initial Entry Training student population and aims to teach mitigating risk, loss of manpower due to behavioral health issues and inability to perform in advanced individual training. The Soldier Symposium is a member of the larger S.O.L.D.I.E.R.S.M.A.R.T. initiative. This program teaches soldiers how to bounce back from adversity to thrive and meet goals and objectives.
COLLEGE CREDIT FOR HEROES
The University signed an 18-month contract with the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) College Credit for Heroes (CCH), a statewide competency-based education program that seeks to maximize the awarding of college credits to veterans and service members for their military training. Two online concentrations will be created for a competency-based Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences: health care services administration and health care services informatics. These BAAS programs are fouryear degrees that will utilize military training in lieu of up to 42 semester credit hours of electives in a specialized field.
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RECSTRAVAGANZA Jaguar Recreational Sports hosted a multitude of awesome activities for new and existing students throughout the year to build community in a healthy living and learning environment. Recreational Sports kicked off the 2016-2017 academic year with Recstravaganza, a special event allowing incoming firstyear students and sophomores to meet and engage with upper-division students on Main Campus. Students had a great time running, jumping and diving behind inflatable barricades while playing team laser tag. Others hung out in the courtyard watching classmates play football, while those who preferred to play indoors had a blast participating in the beanbag toss contest and more. These fun and games amplified the positive and playful energy of our students and gave way to new and renewed relationships.
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AGGIES FOOTBALL GAME On November 19, Jaguar Recreational Sports invited students on an inaugural road trip to the historic Kyle Field at Texas A&M University in College Station for a day of football and fun. Students enjoyed delicious food, comradery with classmates and visiting with other fans during the tailgate. Students sported their sister school’s gear and cheered on the team throughout the close match. The excitement of the game was magnified by the win of our System school, when the Texas A&M University Aggies defeated the UTSA Roadrunners 23-10.
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COLLEGE OF BUSINESS successfully complete the Principles Embracing the University’s new of Marketing course may register for standing as a four-year institution, upper division courses, such as Digital the College of Business made changes Marketing, Branding, Sports Marketing to some degree plans for the 2016and Service Marketing. The College 17 academic year to help students, changed the pre-requisite system to particularly first- and second-year allow more flexibility for students students, gain the most from their and to improve course sequencing so experience at A&M-San Antonio. In students may attain a degree in a timely addition to coursework, an emphasis manner. on engaged-learning has been elevated to new heights. The Department of Management and Marketing has new one-hour credit courses that include The University Library is actively engaged in the teaching, research topics such as teamwork, service learning, internships and public and public service activities of A&M-SA and provides research speaking. In addition, new courses assistance and instruction, curriculum support, access to a are being offered to reflect modern wide variety of information marketing methods in resources addition to and facilities that foster revealing standards of conduct in the independent study and collaborative engagement. marketplace. Marketing students who
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Librarians answered
14,327 questions in person or by phone, email or live chat
90,356visitors 12% increase over FY15
Electronic holdings include
264databases, 113K journals and newspapers and 400,000 e-books
422 group tours
individual and small
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DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC COLLECTION In December 2016, Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio established a formal partnership with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) that establishes that the DRT collection will be on long-term loan to the University and will be housed in Bexar County’s downtown Presidio Gallery space. The DRT is the oldest patriotic women’s organization in Texas and is made up of members who each are a lineal descendant of a man or woman who rendered loyal service for Texas. The University Library will manage the DRT collection as part of its Archives and Special Collections Unit. Archives and Special Collections
will have two professional staff and will have regularly scheduled hours for walk-in patrons. The DRT collection is comprised of more than 38,000 items that include books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, art works, periodicals and vertical files that were donated to or acquired by the DRT Library since its founding in 1943. Working in concert with the DRT will allow for the expansion of academic efforts related to Texas history and connections to the history of San Antonio for A&M-San Antonio students and the greater San Antonio community.
Financials and Enrollment Budget Sources & Uses
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CABINET
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Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Ed.D. President
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Michael O’Brien, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
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William Spindle, Ed.D. Vice President Business Affairs & CFO
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Melissa Mahan, Ph.D. Vice President, Student Affairs
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Jennifer Haft Chief of Staff
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Richard Ortega, Ed.D. Vice President, University Advancement
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Number of degrees conferred in 2016
Scholarships contribute to the economic development of the Texas A&M University-San Antonio community. With renewed community support, we will continue to ensure A&M-San Antonio excellence through our stellar education programs. To contribute to scholarship funds and for more information about University giving, please contact the Office of University Advancement at http://tamusa.edu/giving