Spring/Summer 2019 Issue
Citymester Trifecta
Since its pilot was launched at UTSA in 2017, more than three dozen Honors College students have participated in the Citymester program. With an emphasis on real-world experience, community service, and creating solutions to civic issues, Citymester participants must fulfill three requirements over the course of a semester.
Life Transforming Experience
UTSA helps its students create their future by providing an immersive educational experience. The university’s goal is to have, by 2028, at least 75% of all students participating in hands-on research and engagement. Just as important as students gaining life-changing proficiency, these opportunities enable every participant to have an impact on the lives of others as they take on projects not just locally but globally. Here, Sombrilla Magazine explores some of these endeavors and how they are transformational for Roadrunners.
Related Articles
Submersed in San Antonio
Citymester takes utsa students out of the classroom to help solve civic issues.
With a Critical Eye
Transdisciplinary research efforts help to shed insight on criminal cases gone cold.
Giving Voice
A new effort aims to expand military history through the stories of women veterans.
Sending a Message
UTSA’s professional writing scholars get hands-on experience with real clients.
When All’s Right at Home
Research is uncovering insights to help local homeowners with legal problems.
Think & Do
Students translate community vision into value and aspiration in UTSA’s Urban Future Lab.
City Skills: For this internship component students work at a local business or institution for 300 hours during the spring semester (or 150 hours during the abbreviated summer session). Students are matched with partners that not only align with their career interests but will provide them with valuable experience. The interns have been placed at locations like the Witte Museum, the San Antonio Police Department, Freetail Brewing, the San Antonio Zoo, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Metropolitan Health District, CivTechSA, and Bandera Family Medical Group.
City Solutions: For this service-learning component, students work with nonprofit organizations or civic partners on a weekly basis to identify and come up with solutions that will improve the San Antonio community. Students have partnered with entities such as the Guadalupe Community Center, RAICES, Caritas Legal Services, and Sustainable Youth in Action, among others.
City Sites: For this exploratory component, participating students visit important San Antonio destinations and landmarks where they learn while connecting with city leaders in government, industry, and philanthropy to discuss related issues. Students are often inspired to share and promote these experiences and critically think about any improvements that could be made. These City Sites periods have included meetings with Robert Rivard of the Rivard Report and the San Antonio Spurs organization, a downtown scavenger hunt, and visits to the Alamo, the Pearl, Confluence Park, and the First Friday Art Walk.
