Advancing Belonging and the “Out of Classroom” Experience in the Digital Era
Charge
As UTSA looks to the future, we aspire to be recognized for excellence and leadership on the state and national level, especially in reinforcing our HSI identity and our unparalleled role in preparing a broad, inclusive mix of learners for the 21st century workforce in Texas through a UTSA learning environment driven by innovation and personalized, engaged, future-focused experiences in- and out-of the classroom. Our collective experience with remote technologies during the spring term and our decision to remain in that mode for the summer term has accelerated UTSA’s progress towards that future and created an intensified sense of momentum and enthusiasm amongst our students and faculty.
The Tactical Team for Advancing Belonging and the “Out of Classroom” Experience in the Digital Era will embrace our institutional momentum and enthusiasm to build recommendations for Fall 2020 as a stepping stone towards our three-year horizon and beyond.
As UTSA moves toward more academic programming being delivered in hybrid and online modalities, we will need to intentionally elevate student engagement and a sense of belonging in innovative ways to support student success and provide resources to all aiding in UTSA’s mission. We must be particularly cognizant of and focused on developing steps to reduce the impacts of differential access caused by technological and economic challenges. The highest priority recommendations will focus on approaches from the full range of student experiences that occur out-of-the-classroom. By necessity, these recommendations will be shaped by the realities of public health operations necessitated by the current pandemic following the recommendations and guidelines of the recently formed UTSA Public Health Task. Discussion and recommendations will also be presented about how to personalize the student experience to solidify students’ identities as Roadrunners with a strong affinity for UTSA during this pandemic. All delivered recommendations should be provided as first stops in a roadmap to Fall 2023 and beyond.
| Gerry Sanders, Co-lead Dean of the College of Business |
LT Robinson, Co-lead |
| Diane Abdo Distinguished Senior Lecturer, Writing Program, University College Faculty Senate Representative |
Tracey Bass |
| Edwin Barea-Rodriguez Associate Dean for Student Success & Instructional Innovation, College of Sciences |
Saadet Beeson |
| Sabina Bhattathiry-Kapoor Director, Academic Advising, Student Placement, Student Success Staff Senate Representative |
Traci Guinn Buckley |
|
Lydia Bueno |
Stefanie Cisneros |
| Erica Clark Assistant Director, International Engagement, College of Business |
Erika Cox |
| Maggie Floyd Director, Student Development & Leadership, Student Success |
Cié Gee |
| Josh Gerken Assistant Vice President, Campus Planning, Business Affairs |
Paul Goodman Associate Vice President of Facilities, Business Affairs |
| Mary Hernandez Associate Vice President for Business Affairs Administration and Operations |
Melissa Hernandez Director of Counseling & Mental Health Services |
| Charlin Jones-Chavez Senior Associate Director, Student Activities |
Steve Kudika Assistant Director, Fitness/Wellness, Recreation Center, Student Affairs |
| Mark Leung Department Chair & Professor, Management Science and Statistics, College of Business Department Chairs Council Representative |
Bryan Lugo Business Relationship Manager, University Technology Solutions |
| Ryan McPherson Lecturer III, Department of Communication, College of Liberal & Fine Arts |
Jenesis Montemayor Student Government Association Representative |
| Kevin Price Senior Associate Vice President for Housing & Campus Services, Business Affairs |
Em de la Rosa Associate Director, Residence Life and Education, Student Success |
| Amy Rushing Assistant Dean, Special Collections, Libraries |
Patricia Sanchez Department Chair & Professor, Department of Bicultural and Bilingual Studies, College of Education and Human Development |
| Lorenzo Sanchez Director, Emergency Management & Business Continuity |
Jana Schwartz Administrative Manager for Student Success, College for Health, Community & Policy |
| Ann Margaret Trujillo Associate Director, Multicultural Student Center for Equity & Justice, Student Affairs |
Strategic Plan Midpoint Update (Fall 2022)
UTSA’s Tactical Team for Advancing Belonging and the “Out of the Classroom” Experience in the Digital Era completed its final report on July 7, 2020. Co-led by Gerry Sanders, (former) Dean, College of Business and LT Robinson, Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the Tactical Team was aided by two sub-committees, the first addressed Student Engagement, Success and Support and the second focused on Public Health and Safety. The team’s recommendations included 17 Action Items concerning:
- Belonging/Connectedness
- Logistical Concerns
- Event Planning
- Technology/Equity/Access
By fulfilling its objectives, this Task Force enabled UTSA to deliver mission-critical operations while prioritizing the health, safety, and wellbeing of all members of the roadrunner community.
This Initiative Supports Strategic Destinations
Destination One: Model for Student Success
