UTSA program is finalist in Higher Education Coordinating Board Star Awards
(Nov. 27, 2012) -- The Academic Development Program (ADP) in the UTSA Tomas Rivera Center for Student Success was one of eight finalists for the 12th annual Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Star Awards presented last month in Austin. The keynote speaker at the ceremony was Raymund Paredes, Texas commissioner of higher education.
"Congratulations, Academic Development Program at The University of Texas at San Antonio," said Paredes. "Your program and the students, faculty, administrators and other staff who have created, developed and carried it out are providing valuable services to Texas and its people by helping us close the gaps in education. The Coordinating Board and I commend everyone who has contributed to the program."
The ADP team was represented at the event by Cynthia Rodriguez, ADP director, and academic advisers Jessica Williams, Venesa Matthews and Phillip Casarez. The UTSA staff members hosted an elaborate display highlighting the program’s services and successful initiatives.
ADP was established in 1996 to assist students provisionally admitted to UTSA. The program housed in the Tomas Rivera Center originally served an average of 100 students through an optional five-week summer bridge program. In 2004, the admissions term for provisional students moved from summer to fall, and the program grew to an average of 500 students. Because of the program's success, the university now requires all provisional students to participate in the ADP until they clear provisional status. There is no additional cost for students to participate in the program.
The program facilitates the transition between high school and UTSA for provisionally admitted students by providing support through academic advising, specialized programs and enhanced campus affiliation. In keeping with the university's aspirations toward Tier One research status, the ADP centers on helping to improving freshman retention and, in turn, the graduation rate.
"Provisional students often come to the university academically and socially under-prepared for the college experience," said Leticia Duncan-Brosnan, executive director of the Tomas Rivera Center. "These students are given the opportunity to adjust to college life, while improving their academic skills. From orientation to program completion, ADP offers many ways to assist in student success."
Events
The UTSA Office of Undergraduate is proud to celebrate National Undergraduate Research with an annual event sponsored by the (OUR) featuring students will showcase undergraduate student research and creative endeavors from all disciplines across campus.
Various LocationsDía en la Sombrilla, formerly Fiesta UTSA, is a festival hosted each spring as a part of Fiesta® San Antonio events. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions, the event features music, food, confetti, games, event t-shirts, and more.
Sombrilla Plaza and Central Plaza, Main CampusFiesta Arts Fair features contemporary art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S., Fiesta favorite foods, drinks, live music by local and regional performers, and a Young Artists Garden providing opportunities for budding artists to learn, explore and express their creativity.
UTSA Southwest CampusJoin the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventThis event is to achnowlege the graduating seniors and induct the new cohart of scholars to our program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140,) Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome