A world of adventure awaited Manuela “Nell” Gutierrez ’80 after she graduated with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UTSA. She says it’s because her cherished alma mater enabled her to create a successful career that afforded her opportunities to travel globally.

From quality education to career exploration, Nell was thoroughly prepared for the job market. And for a young, first-generation Latina who had her eye on working in the business sector during the early 1980’s, she knew her training at UTSA would give her the edge needed to be successful.

“I was fortunate enough to use the UTSA career center, and I interviewed for various positions at numerous companies. That’s how I found my first job out of college,” she said.

Nell took her first job at Transco Energy Company in Houston, which was later acquired by the Williams Company in 1995. A fresh college graduate in her twenties, Nell was attracted to the opportunity to travel while working in the internal audit department.

Manuela “Nell” Gutierrez ’80 and her spouse, Barbara Conte,
enjoy a trip to Florence, Italy.

“When I got my first job, I was able to travel domestically. I traveled to New Orleans six times per year. By the time I had moved to my third company, I started traveling to Europe for six weeks at a time. What a wonderful life for a young Hispanic in that era.”

Nell worked in the energy industry for 35 years, and throughout that time she remained connected to UTSA. Today, she stays up to date by reading university publications and regularly attends football games. Her and her spouse, Barbara – a Rice University alumna, make sure to attend the UTSA v. Rice game every season. Over the years, Nell says she has loved seeing UTSA’s phenomenal growth.

“What an amazing change from when I was there. I have been inspired by the fact that UTSA has grown to become a Tier One university. I have been inspired by the academic achievements and grants that have been given to the university, the top tier faculty that they have recruited and how well their athletics programs are doing.”

Perhaps the most impactful way she has remained connected is through her charitable giving. Through a matching gift, Nell created the Houston Roadrunner Alumni Endowed Scholarship, which provides support for students who have graduated from a Houston area high school and are interested in attending UTSA.

Gifts to the endowment can grow the funds generated for scholarships awarded to students each year. Houston area alumni are encouraged to consider a gift to the fund during UTSA Giving Day coming up on April 4-5, 2023.

“I’m just so grateful for the great education that I received and I think that UTSA heavily contributed to my success. I want to see other young people participate in what I achieved and I’d like to see it happen with really smart kids in the area. I owe everything to where I came from. I just hope this will inspire more contributions to scholarship funds for really fabulous students who want to attend UTSA.”

Today, Nell is retired and continues to travel around the world with Barbara. She says she’s traveled to at least 30 U.S. states and multiple countries including England, Indonesia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Belgium, France and Ireland, to name a few. Her adventures will continue with three trips already planned to Colorado, Michigan and London in 2023.