JUNE 29, 2021 — The University of Texas at San Antonio today announced the formal launch of the College of Engineering and Integrated Design (CEID), effective September 1, 2021. The announcement follows recommendations from UTSA’s Integrated Design Initiative Task Force, deep and broad consultation with internal and external stakeholders, and approval by The University of Texas System on behalf of its Board of Regents.
The new college combines the academic departments and programs now under the College of Engineering and the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning. It will be administratively organized into two schools: one that includes Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Construction Management and a second that includes Architecture and Planning. The new college will also house three departments: Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering.
CEID will be home to approximately 4,300 students, 117 faculty members and 41 staff members.
“San Antonio is home to some of the world’s best architecture, engineering and construction firms, large and small. As a top HSI research university, UTSA is committed to serving our city and state preparing our students to succeed in the modern workforce,” said Kimberly Andrews Espy, UTSA Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. “By intentionally bringing students and faculty in these complimentary disciplines together in the learning environment, the College of Engineering and Integrated Design will ensure our students are well-prepared not just for their first job but for their bold future in these professions.”
The establishment of the new college comes after more than a year’s discussion and deliberation by UTSA’s Integrated Design Initiative Task Force. Launched in April 2020, the initiative sought to fully leverage the university’s expertise across architecture, construction, planning, historic preservation, interior design and engineering, and optimally position the university on the cutting edge of transdisciplinary research, academic programming and workforce preparation for students. CEID Dean JoAnn Browning led the initiative task force, which included academic leaders from both existing colleges and key partner departments across campus. The task force also held several forums to solicit ideas from internal and external partners.
“The formation of the College of Engineering and Integrated Design serves a tremendous strategic purpose,” remarked Browning. “Choosing to house these complementary disciplines in one college allows greater opportunity for collaborative research and experiential learning. Our students will have more frequent opportunities to experience a modern, integrated and collaborative workforce that will equip them with the marketable skills needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive employment market.”
Faculty and students in the College of Engineering and the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning previously have collaborated on several cross-disciplinary projects. Under the new college structure, students in the fields of engineering, architecture, construction science, urban planning, interior design and historic preservation will have more opportunities to work together, preparing them for the reality of working in their desired fields.
The formation of CEID also improves UTSA’s positioning as a competitive recruiter of faculty and postdoctoral researchers, which will lead to increased investment from outside sources. “This merger improves our ability to compete for extramural and large-scale grants that require interdisciplinary teams to address societal grand challenges,” said Krystel Castillo, GreenStar Endowed Associate Professor in Energy in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and director of the Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute. “Our centers and institutes can work together to create a potent platform for upcoming research funding opportunities.”
An explicit commitment to experiential, hands-on learning is a cornerstone of CEID. In future years, all students will be required to complete either an internship, a research project, a study abroad experience or a service-learning initiative while pursuing their degree. In doing so, Roadrunners will develop new skills, sharpen existing ones and positively impact the world around them.
“The new college structure is an exciting first step toward expanding the intellectual, administrative, and physical resources for our programs,” said Ian Caine, associate professor and director of the UTSA Center for Urban and Regional Planning Research. “CEID is positioned to become a powerful engine for transdisciplinary research and teaching, allowing faculty and students to explore the complex problems that occur where physical and social systems intersect.”
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Join us for an engaging conversation with President Eighmy to learn more about UTSA’s progress to date on the strategic plan, the goals of the mid-point refresh process and its importance to the Roadrunner community.
Buena Vista Theater (BV1.326), Downtown CampusJoin us for our annual Winterlude concert series featuring students from across all areas in the School of Music for a half-week of holiday cheer and delight. This three-day celebration continues to showcase both contemporary and traditional holiday works and will include performances by the UTSA Orchestra, Choirs, Bands, Jazz Ensemble, Lyric Theatre, and Dance Studio.
Recital Hall, Main CampusJoin us for our annual Winterlude concert series featuring students from across all areas in the School of Music for a half-week of holiday cheer and delight. This three-day celebration continues to showcase both contemporary and traditional holiday works and will include performances by the UTSA Orchestra, Choirs, Bands, Jazz Ensemble, Lyric Theatre, and Dance Studio.
Recital Hall, Main CampusLavender Graduation is a celebration of the academic accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ students. Students are given a stole to wear for Commencement showing their pride. This is a validation and celebration of each student and their identity. The Lavender Student Leadership Award is presented during the celebration.
Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28,) Main CampusJoin us for our annual Winterlude concert series featuring students from across all areas in the School of Music for a half-week of holiday cheer and delight. This three-day celebration continues to showcase both contemporary and traditional holiday works and will include performances by the UTSA Orchestra, Choirs, Bands, Jazz Ensemble, Lyric Theatre, and Dance Studio.
Recital Hall, Main CampusOne of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, Ujima stands for collective work and responsibility. This graduation celebration honors Black students and their academic accomplishments. Students are given a custom stole to remind them to continue to work collectively to better the communities in which they work and live. The UJIMA Student Leadership Award is presented during the celebration.
HEB Student Union Ballrooms, Main CampusThe Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will take place for doctoral graduates at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 8, in the H-E-B Student Union Ballrooms (HSU 1.104).
H-E-B Student Union Ballroom (HSU 1.104,) Main CampusThe 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.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
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 ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
