E-Newsletter - Message from Dr. Zapata
In 1994, I was appointed Vice Provost for the UTSA Downtown Campus, then located in the Cypress Tower Building on Main Street. The College of Public Policy was established six years later at the Downtown Campus’ current location and I assumed the position of its dean as well. When I accepted this appointment, then UTSA Provost Dr. Guy Bailey and I agreed that I would function in both positions as long as we believed that I was doing a good job in both positions or until the college reached a size where a full-time dean was necessary. Because the College had grown in the number of graduate and undergraduate students, as well as in the number of programs, I resumed that discussion when our current provost, Dr. John H. Frederick, arrived. We agreed that the college had expanded significantly and reached a sufficient level of complexity to merit a full-time dean. The Downtown Campus had also grown in its programming and therefore would benefit from a full-time vice provost. On October 15th I stepped down as dean of the College of Public Policy and resumed a full-time and expanded role as vice provost. Zapata to step down as UTSA public policy dean.
In the Spring Newsletter, I listed a number of the college’s achievements and the many ways in which the College of Public Policy has grown since its establishment in 2000. I would like to point out, the college is where it is today because a number of people have contributed in so many different and important ways. The college’s department chairs and associate dean have worked very hard to ensure that the college operated smoothly and efficiently and provided the leadership necessary for the college to succeed. The college’s faculty members have embraced UTSA’s commitment to achieving premier research status and have demonstrated that through their research activity and their continued dedication to teaching and service to UTSA and the community. The college’s staff members have been instrumental in providing the support needed by administrators and faculty as they carry out their duties. Finally, UTSA’s central administration, beginning with President Ricardo Romo, has been extremely supportive since the establishment of this college eight years ago and in its continuing growth and development.
Elsewhere in this newsletter, you can read more about the college’s recent activities and plans. The College recently hosted a successful event on October 20 "Great Cities Dialogue" lecture series. This presentation featured Dr. Tom Lovejoy, the president of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment, was the featured speaker. The presentation was co-sponsored by Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas, demonstrating the college’s desire and capacity to partner with community organizations to focus on topics important to San Antonio. The fact that almost 500 people attended the presentation illustrates the popularity of the lecture series. Other college accomplishments include the Department of Public Administration working with the College of Architecture to develop a Master of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning. The proposal for that degree has been completed and is currently under review at UTSA. The proposal for an interdisciplinary doctoral program in the college is also under development. The Department of Demography and Organization Studies, the college’s only department that is based at the 1604 Campus, will be moving to the Downtown Campus this coming summer. Accompanying this department will be the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research. This move to the Downtown Campus by the department and institute will greatly enhance the college’s capacity to work together toward fulfilling its mission.
This May, the Department of Criminal Justice will host the National Conference on Restorative Justice: “Restorative Justice: Mainstreaming, Empowering Communities, Restoring Responsibility”. The spring e-newsletter will provide specific information about this international conference.
UTSA has appointed an interim dean, Dr. Dennis Haynes for the College of Public Policy, who will serve in that capacity until a permanent dean is appointed. Interim dean named for College of Public Policy Dr. Haynes has served as chair of the Department of Social Work at UTSA since 2003 . He was the first chair of the department and was instrumental in establishing the program and in getting the program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Dr. Haynes has a great deal of administrative experience and well qualified to serve as the college’s interim dean. The search for a permanent dean will begin later this fall.
I would like to thank everyone who helped make my job easier by doing their share and often more than their share of the work it takes to make a college successful. It has been a pleasure seeing the College of Public Policy grow and contribute to UTSA’s overall growth and success.
Submitted by Jesse T. Zapata, Ph.D., Professor and Vice Provost,
Downtown Campus.
501 West Durango Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78207 PH (210) 458-2530 FAX (210) 458-2431