Colleagues, welcome to the 2023-24 academic year!
August 21, 2023
Colleagues,
Welcome to a new academic year! If this is your first-semester joining UTSA, welcome to our Roadrunner community. If you are a returning colleague, welcome back. While I hope the summer gave you a well-deserved break, I also hope you’re as excited as I am to jump back into a routine. We have many celebrations, milestones and gatherings to anticipate this year. To name just a few:
Celebrating our achievement of NRUF eligibility
As shared earlier this month, UTSA has officially met the State of Texas’ eligibility criteria and passed the audit to participate in the National Research University Fund (NRUF), solidifying our position as a university capable of tackling society’s grandest challenges. Now, we look ahead to the National Research Support Fund (NRSF) for other, additional resources contingent upon legislative policy. As mentioned, I will share updates as we learn more about these projected increases.
Completing our strategic plan refresh
As Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley recently shared, the strategic plan refresh committee has completed its year-long work and presented a plan to shape the university’s future. For those of you who participated in a survey, town hall, or listening session, thank you for your contributions and ideas. I know you’ll all be proud to see the results, and I look forward to sharing more details on next steps in the coming months.
Breaking ground on new buildings
Earlier this month, we announced plans for Blanco Hall, a new residence hall that will expand our housing options for first-year students and sophomores on Main Campus. Additionally, at our Downtown Campus, we have plans to break ground on San Pedro II, the Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Careers (IEC) building that will be home to interdisciplinary and collaborative programs in business, engineering, and sciences.
Supporting Roadrunner Athletics
As many of you know, UTSA recently joined The American Athletic Conference, elevating our Athletics program to the national stage. Our new conference will bring increased name recognition to UTSA, which will enhance the value of a UTSA degree and benefit all students. Be sure to check out our 2023 Football schedule and other athletic events happening throughout the semester.
State of the University Address
Looking ahead, I invite you to join me at our next State of the University Address tentatively scheduled for January 22, 2024. Similar to our 2023 program, I’ll reflect on last year’s milestones, look ahead to next year’s opportunities, and explore pathways of future success for our students and university with fellow colleagues on stage.
As always, I wish you all a healthy and productive semester. I am continuously grateful for the work that you do daily to make our Roadrunners shine.
With appreciation,
Taylor Eighmy
President
