May 2016, Issue 5
Message from VPSA
Sam Gonzales
Student Affairs Superheroes
I had the pleasure of speaking at our annual awards ceremony. I value the time that we get to spend together celebrating the academic year and recognizing the work of our award nominees and winners. With that in mind, I share a part of my speech with everyone to remind you that we are all superheroes.
It’s great to see the entire division together to celebrate the joint and individual accomplishments we’ve had this year. We really are achieving great things.
I know that your work for our students takes tremendous effort.
So much of what Student Affairs does is behind the scenes, so there may not be pictures of all of our staff doing the hard work that makes these programs happen. Our students benefit from the work on Extreme Makeover: UTSA Edition; Summer Registration Kickoff; March into Your Major; and so many other opportunities and events. Know that your work is recognized. I’m aware of it and so is the campus community.
And that makes you one of our superheroes.
When I have the opportunity to speak with students, visit offices on campus, or attend events that you have planned, I can see the impact you are making. Whether you are answering questions, helping a lost student, or just listening to a concern, you’re making their experience here better. From Orientation to Commencement and everything in between, we affect lives. Events like Roadrunner Days, BestFest, and UTSA Day don’t just happen. They are successful because of teamwork: the superhero teamwork of our staff, teams and volunteers.
We are ending this year, but we’re already preparing to kick off next year! So, now is the time to plan what team you will join, how you will volunteer for programs, and how you will impact our students next. Apathy is always lurking around the corner. It’s up to us every day to get more involved and attend something new--to make sure that apathy doesn’t take over OUR campuses.
I think a superhero exists within each of us and what we do every day for the university and for our students highlights this power and impact. Thank you for all you do.
Best wishes,
Sam
We Are UTSA! We Are Student Affairs!