Top scholars at UTSA are learning to be leaders and researchers

(October 13, 2016) -- The brightest students in Texas are learning how to become future researchers and leaders through The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Top Scholar program.

This fall, 10 new scholars joined the program, bringing the total number of UTSA Top Scholars to 29. The Top Scholar experience focuses on academics, leadership and community service. Students enrolled in the program are also part of the UTSA Honors College and are provided with support for study abroad experiences and internships.

Top scholars gain access to research opportunities with top-tier faculty on campus. Cory Nguyen, a first-generation American studying Biology, is working in a microbiology lab as a junior.

“Working in this lab has allowed me to apply the concepts that I’ve learned in the classroom, as well as strengthen my passion for science,” said Nguyen. “These skills will help me to know what I’m looking for when I am researching internships and graduate programs related to my studies."

Senior university and community leaders mentor Top Scholars, giving them opportunities to learn about different career paths.

“This program offers me individualized opportunities, such as connecting with a mentor,” said Caroline Williamson, who is part of the first cohort of Top Scholars. “Through discussions with English professor Bridget Drinka, I decided on my honors thesis, and she will help me throughout the process.”

Williamson is researching German translations of a few of Shakespeare's sonnets for her honors thesis.

The UTSA Top Scholar program is the first of its kind in San Antonio to offer a merit-based scholarship combined with personalized experiences in academics, leadership, and community service. High caliber students from San Antonio and throughout Texas are recruited to join the program. The most competitive candidates are ranked in the top 5% of their graduating high school class, score well on the ACT and SAT and have a record of community service. Those selected to be Top Scholars receive a four-year scholarship that includes funding for tuition, fees, and room and board.

- Kara Mireles

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Learn more about the UTSA Top Scholar program.

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Events

April 15-19, various times

Spring 2024 Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry Showcase

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 Locations

Friday, April 19, 11:00 a.m.

Día en la Sombrilla

Día 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 Campus

April 20-21

Fiesta Arts Fair

Fiesta 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 Campus

Wednesday, April 24, 11:30 a.m.

Denim Day

Join 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 Campus

Wednesday, April 24, 5:00 p.m.

Simplifying Citations With Zotero

Learn 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 Event

Friday, May 3, 11:30 a.m.

McNair Scholar's Spring Celebration

This event is to achnowlege the graduating seniors and induct the new cohart of scholars to our program.

North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140,) Main Campus

Friday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.

Commencement: Ceremony One

Celebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.

Alamodome

Submit an Event

Spotlight

UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.