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About Us
The Graduation Initiative grew from the research and experience of Dr. Patricia Glenn, then Executive Director of the Tomás Rivera Center and the university's then Provost, Dr. Rosalie Ambrosino. In the fall semester of 2006, several dedicated volunteers from the Tomás Rivera Center began a nine-month proof-of-concept program, pilot testing intervention ideas to aid native cohort students in graduating. These volunteers conducted the first Late Intervention outreach program. The mission was simple—identify barriers to graduation and help students to overcome those barriers to reach their goal of a college degree.
Official Graduation Initiative operations began on June 1, 2007 when a team of four Retention and Graduation Analysts trained with Dr. Glenn and the Graduation Initiative's new Associate Director. Initially working with one another and then with members of the various UTSA colleges, the team researched, analyzed, and documented barriers to graduation, along with actions for reducing or overcoming those barriers. The Graduation Initiative continues to develop, implementing more program services, while at the same time working collaboratively with college leaders to implement their Graduation Improvement Plans.
Contact Information
We are located in the Multidisciplinary Studies (MS) building, 2.03.14 (second floor, behind the North elevators). Campus maps are available to help you find your way. Closest parking for non-permit holders is the South Parking Garage, located at the Thermal Plant, just east of the Science building.
UTSA Graduation Initiative
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
Phone: 210-458-4687; Email: graduation.initiative@utsa.edu
Staff
Patricia Glenn
Associate Dean for Retention and Graduation: Patricia Glenn grew up in South Florida. She completed her BA in English at the University of Florida and later received an MA in Reading Education from Arizona State University. She taught in high schools and elementary schools for six years before beginning her career in higher education. Later, Dr. Glenn earned a Ph.D. from New Mexico State University in Curriculum and Instruction, with a minor in linguistics. Glenn has more than twenty-five years' experience teaching and administering college level student academic support programs serving large minority populations, in New Mexico, Maryland and Texas. She is the author of a college level text, Improve your Reading and Study Skills. At UTSA, Glenn has directed the Tomás Rivera Center for Student Success since 1995 and founded the Graduation Initiative in 2007. Both programs are dedicated to improving the ability of students to persist in college on to graduation. For fun, Dr. Glenn likes to read and lie around the house with her schnauzers, Russell and Wallace. She also enjoys the excellent company and many bad jokes of her spouse, Dr. Michael Ryan of Psychology. She has grown children, Cait and Will, who continue to be a constant source of amazement and enjoyment, including three adorable grandchildren.
Kristi Meyer
Director: Kristi Meyer has been with UTSA since 2002 and a member of the Graduation Initiative since 2007. She works with the faculty, staff, and students of the College of Engineering as well as the College of Education and Human Development. Kristi holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Prior to joining the Graduation Initiative, Kristi held several positions at UTSA, primarily in an advising capacity. She has worked in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts Undergraduate Advising Center, the Colleges' Freshman Advising Center, and the Transfer Advising office. Prior to arriving at UTSA, Kristi worked at The Psychological Corporation as a project coordinator. Additionally, she served in the U.S. Army as a Spanish Linguist and Intelligence Analyst.
Kristi's research interests include policy studies, legislation analysis, gender studies, and higher education. Kristi has published several articles and presented at numerous national and state conferences in both Political Science and Academic Advising. In addition, Kristi holds an adjunct faculty position at San Antonio College, where she teaches introductory Political Science.
Kristi enjoys traveling, listening to live music, and hanging out with her dog Kasey.
Jinny Case
Senior Retention and Graduation Analyst : Jinny Case works with the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, faculty, staff, and students. Jinny holds a Masters of Science in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, both from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Prior to coming to UTSA, Jinny worked as a social science research associate with the medical school at UTHSCSA and also as an academic advisor specializing in at-risk students with Northwest Vista College. Jinny began her professional career working with victims of violent crime at The Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults in San Antonio. She also worked with the U.S. Census Bureau as a survey statistician between 2001 and 2004, where she functioned as part of a team of survey methodologists to manage and implement national longitudinal studies of the science and engineering workforce in the United States. In addition to her current role as a Retention and Graduation Analyst, Jinny also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Northwest Vista College and is a doctoral student in Applied Demography at UTSA. Jinny enjoys her baby daughter and family.
Linda Chalmers
Senior Retention and Graduation Analyst : Linda Chalmers works with the faculty, staff, and students of the College of Public Policy and the College of Business. Linda holds a Master of Education – Educational Administration from Texas A&M University in College Station, and a Bachelor of Science in Education, Art from the University of Georgia. Linda has been employed at UTSA for fifteen years with a total of twenty years in higher education. Her former UTSA positions have been Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Executive Director of Academic Advising, and Director of the College of Business Advising and Student Services. Her accomplishments most notably include the 2004 implementation of prerequisite checking for Banner registration. Currently, she is certified as a Personal Finance Counselor through the Institute of Financial Literacy and is a member of the Association for Financial Counselors, Planners, Educators (AFCPE). She was a member of the National Academic Advising Association and a recipient of the 2006 Service to Commission Award for Advising Administration. In addition to her 20 years in higher education, Linda has experience in the corporate sector with 9 years in the banking industry. Linda enjoys her grandchildren, pets, aquarium, beading, and crossword puzzles.
Shannon Rios
Retention and Graduation Analyst :
Shannon has been with UTSA since 2006 and joined the Graduation Initiative in September 2010. She works with the staff, faculty, and students of the College of Sciences and College of Architecture. Shannon is a double alumna of UTSA with a Master of Arts in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Shannon began her career at UTSA working as a mentor with provisionally admitted students and then moved into an advising capacity working with undecided students. Shannon has taught a Freshman Seminar course offered through the Learning Communities. She has also presented at national conferences in first year experience studies, student leadership conferences on campus, and programs targeting first year students. Shannon currently serves on the UTSA Staff Council and is a faculty advisor for a student organization on campus. Shannon enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her family.
Richard Mejia
Student Assistant: Richard is a junior at UTSA majoring in Business, Human Resources Management. He plans to graduate in May 2012. Richard is from a military family and grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. After graduation he plans to enroll in the Military Officer Training program for the USAF. He enjoys the outdoors, surfing, swimming, and time with family and friends.