Snapshots Announcements Spotlight UTSA Athletics

August 2015, Issue 8





Message from VPSA

Sam Gonzales


Showcasing Our Work to the Executive Leadership Committee

We just completed an outstanding Roadrunner Days and start of the fall semester. The campus is alive again with Roadrunners geared up for academic success and enjoying a vibrant campus life. Thank you for all you have done to get the fall semester off to a great start. It is through the dedication of our staff and faculty along with the creative inspiration of our students that it all works.

Recently, I had the chance to present a Student Affairs update and a recap of Roadrunner Days to our Executive Leadership Committee (ELC). It was a great opportunity to share the impact of our work. Below are just a few of the highlights that I shared with the group:

  • We are organized into three areas: Enrollment Services, Student Life and Athletics.
  • We have approximately 500 full-time employees and 500 student employees that collaborate, connect, communicate and create.
  • Roadrunner Days is a university-wide effort focused on student success.
  • The Welcome Reception allowed us to connect with our students’ families.
  • Late Night at the Rec encouraged students to join teams and make friends
  • Fall Convocation signaled the start of the academic journey for the Class of 2019.
  • Through the President’s BBQs, we held events at the Downtown and Main campuses.
  • We included weekend events that promoted involvement in student organizations.
  • We lit up the sky with Midnight Light: approximately 4,000 Roadrunners attended Dr. Romo’s signature event.

George Norton and Lynn Hickey also joined me in the presentation. George highlighted the profile of our newest Roadrunners and they are an impressive group. Lynn shared details about Howdy Rowdy Bash that was widely considered the best pep rally in our institutional history. She also shared a preview of the Football and Volleyball seasons. She even provided the group with their own castanets. Castanets mimic the sound of the Roadrunner in the wild, clacking its mandibles together. I bet you can imagine that roaring sound as we support our student athletics at sporting events.

The new semester reminds me of a quote from Dr. Romo about the monument lights. “The lights show that we are open for business and that our spirit burns bright.” As we continue into the fall semester, I wish you collaboration that brings your programs to new heights, connections that foster success in every student and a Roadrunner spirit that burns bright.

Best wishes,

Sam
We Are UTSA! We Are Student Affairs!