UT System announces leadership transition for UTSA

Steve Leslie, UT System Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, today shared the following message with UTSA faculty, staff and students.

(March 3, 2017) -- Dear UTSA community,

With tremendous gratitude for your patience and understanding, I write to inform you that Dr. Ricardo Romo is stepping down as president and retiring from The University of Texas at San Antonio effective immediately. We are profoundly grateful for his service and for the privilege of working with him.

Below is a statement from Chancellor McRaven as well as a copy of Dr. Romo's statement.

The search process for a new president is proceeding as planned, and we look forward to appointing a president in the fall, prior to the start of the next academic year. In the meantime, Dr. Pedro Reyes will serve as president ad interim.

Sincerely,

Steve Leslie, Ph.D.
UT System Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Statement from Chancellor McRaven:
"I am grateful to President Ricardo Romo for the many accomplishments The University of Texas at San Antonio has achieved under his leadership. During his 18 years as president, he has put the University on a critical path toward Tier One status and changed the culture of education in San Antonio. I know that Ricardo and Harriett look forward to continuing their special relationship with the San Antonio community. I wish him all the best."

Statement from Ricardo Romo:
I have been made aware that the manner in which I embraced women made them uncomfortable and was inappropriate. I understand and respect Chancellor McRaven's concerns about my behavior and I deeply apologize for any conduct that offended anyone.

I have worked hard over the years with the dedicated staff of the Office of the President to serve UTSA with distinction and honor. I know that my dedicated staff is the very best anyone in my position could hope to have. Together we have achieved extraordinary success for UTSA.

My intent to retire in August of this year was announced in September of 2016. It is now my desire to step down as president and retire from UTSA effective immediately. This will eliminate the possibility of any distraction or disruption of the great work going on at UTSA.

I had planned to spend one year after retirement with the Institute of Texan Cultures. I am now declining the position of Director of the Texas History Center, and instead plan on continuing my work with Father David Garcia and San Antonio's World Heritage Designation efforts, as well as completing assignments for San Antonio's Tricentennial Celebration.

My love for UTSA is profound and there are no better students anywhere in America. I wish all Roadrunners the very best in their journeys as I continue to find new opportunities to serve my beloved San Antonio in the future.

GO ROADRUNNERS!

Dr. Ricardo Romo

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Events

Thursday, May 1, 8:30 a.m.

Klesse College Tech Symposium

Each fall and spring semester, students convene at the Main Campus at UTSA with booths, ideas and prototypes. A crowd of judges, local organizations, students, faculty and sponsors walk around and talk to the students about their projects and ask questions. Students get the real-life experience of "pitching" their project with hopes of getting funding or support to move to the next level.

UTSA Convocation Center, Main Campus

Thursday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doctoral Conferral Ceremony

Join the doctoral candidates for the Doctoral Conferreal Ceremony and celebrate their accomplishments.

Arts Building Recital Hall, Main Campus

Sunday, May 18, 10:00 a.m.

UTSA Commencement Ceremony One

Celebrate the graduates from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and University College.

Alamodome

Sunday, May 18, 5:30 p.m.

UTSA Commencement Ceremony Two

Celebrate the graduates from the College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and College of Sciences.

Alamodome

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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.