Community Support

Veronica Salazar
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Business Affairs

Dear Business Affairs Familia,

This has been an especially challenging past week for our Roadrunner community. It is important that we take time to acknowledge the significant losses within our UTSA familia and focus on how we can support one another and take care of our health and wellbeing during this challenging time.

Last week we experienced a loss within Business Affairs. Caitlin Jaworowski, who served as our Marketing Coordinator with Strategic Communications, passed away following a battle with cancer. Caitlin joined UTSA in 2016 and worked with many of our colleagues in Campus Services before joining the Business Affairs Strategic Communications team. You likely remember her positive energy as she hosted many of our Business Affairs events, such as Rowdy’s Brain Games and the Business Affairs Employee Forum. She was often the voice behind our social media channels, providing guidance and support to students in her role. Her presence will be sorely missed.

Last Monday, our campus community experienced another loss as Barry McKinney, Associate Dean of Students, passed away after complications from heart surgery. Barry joined UTSA in 2006. He made a considerable impact on the entire UTSA community through his work in Student Activities. He helped to create new traditions at UTSA, supported the growing UTSA football program, organized UTSA commencement ceremonies, and was an avid supporter for the Student Government Association and student organizations.

During this extremely challenging time, we share our deepest condolences with our colleagues in Student Affairs and with our Strategic Communications team. We also know that many of you are dealing with the personal loss of family members and other stressful situations. These losses are felt so deeply within our community and can feel even more challenging during the holiday season.

Please remember that the university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of support, including counseling during challenging times. As UTSA employees, you have free access to their services, and I encourage you to reach out to them when needed.

In addition, Business Affairs has coordinated two opportunities for virtual and in-person support on Wednesday, December 7.

• Join us on Zoom for a stress debriefing training provided by the Deer Oaks EAP from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. This session will offer strategies and solutions for processing grief, stress, and anxiety.
• Two EAP counselors will be on-site to meet individually with employees from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The following rooms have been reserved for confidentiality: 1st Floor NPB 1.412 and 4th Floor NPB 460F

Over the coming weeks, I ask that you please take care of each other, offer support to your colleagues, and focus on taking care of yourselves as well. While these losses to our community will be felt deeply, I hope we may find comfort in one another and in the memories of those we have lost.

Sincerely,

Veronica Salazar 
Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice President for Business Affairs