AUGUST 16, 2021 — The University of Texas at San Antonio recently launched a week-long program to strengthen the skills of graduate assistants, graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants. The goal of the Roadrunner Assistantship Academy is to ensure that students who graduate from UTSA are prepared to navigate the rigors of the classroom and to conduct groundbreaking research.
The academy, a partnership between The Graduate School and the university’s Academic Innovation team, will provide returning and graduate assistants with the skills necessary to provide high quality instruction to the institution’s undergraduate students.
The program is representative of UTSA’s ongoing efforts to provide new classroom-to-career educational opportunities for students. By creating programming and training beyond traditional classwork, the academy ensures that the university is building on its commitment to student success.
“The new Roadrunner Assistantship Academy aligns with UTSA’s vision—creating bold futures for our students,” said Ambika Mathur, vice provost and dean of The Graduate School. “Graduate teaching assistants play a vital role in our mission to provide the highest quality of instruction to our undergraduate students.”
“The academy provides in-depth professional development for graduate students in assistantship positions,” Mathur added, “and prepares graduate teaching assistants for success in the classroom to advance this mission.”
The first day of the program will support grad students in assistantship positions. The remaining four days will offer instruction tailored to graduate teaching assistants.
The majority of the training will be focused on the seven classroom teaching modalities, pedagogy, cultivating digital literacy, teaching philosophies, managing a classroom, and diversity and inclusivity in the classroom.
“As we are reshaping the future of flexible teaching and learning experiences, it is essential to cultivate digital literacy and inclusive pedagogy to transform the academic experience at UTSA,” said Marcela Ramirez, interim assistant vice provost of UTSA Academic Innovation. “Within this boot camp, we aim to support graduate teaching assistants with innovative teaching and learning practices supported by digital tools to create powerful learning experiences and promote creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.”
The Roadrunner Assistantship Academy complements the development of the new seven-day faculty training called “The Bold Beginnings at Roadrunner Nation” as part of the university’s New Faculty Academy. The program is a multimodal and experiential series of seminars and workshops created by Academic Innovation and Faculty Success. New faculty will focus on “BOLD” objectives, including Belonging, Organization, Learners and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, from several of UTSA’s faculty and university partners as they engage in discussions about current trends in teaching and learning, take part in hands-on sessions, and build a tool-kit of best practices for teaching and learning at UTSA.
“We wanted to do something like the ‘Bold Beginnings’ program to support graduate teaching assistants,” said John Shaffer, The Graduate School’s associate director for student success and professional development. “The Roadrunner Assistantship Academy will elevate the training and expertise of graduate students who will be assisting faculty with their courses.”
During the program, the teaching assistants will develop personal teaching philosophies that are meant to reflect their personal values and values about teaching as well as examples of what they do in the classroom to support those beliefs.
Those who complete the week-long training and submit their teaching philosophy will receive a Teaching Philosophy micro-credential badge they can add to LinkedIn, portfolios and social media.
“When our graduate students leave UTSA and are interested in looking for a faculty position, they will be prepared to conduct high-quality research in their discipline of study and conduct a high-caliber classroom experience for their students,” Shaffer said. “That’s a win-win for them and for their students.”
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At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusJoin us for a tribute to Willie Velásquez, honoring the legacy of Willie Velásquez, a pivotal figure in shaping the history of Latino and Hispanic participation in the American voting process. Delve into his life and contributions as a champion of Latino voting rights. Moderated by UTSA's Teresa Niño, the event will feature influential voices, including Jane Velásquez, María Antonietta Berriozábal, Dora Oliva, and Anthony Gonzales.
Buena Vista Building, Gregory Luna Room, Downtown CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.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.
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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 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.
