What’s new at UTSA as over 34,000 Roadrunners start classes today

AUGUST 22, 2022 — The fall semester is officially underway, as today marks the first day of classes for more than 34,000 UTSA students. The undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students will be pursuing degrees in over 180 programs to become leaders in the workforce of the future.

A few of those degree programs are brand-new to the university. Starting this fall, UTSA is offering a B.S. in Applied Cyber Analytics that will give students the skills to secure data and analyze potential threats attempting to penetrate data networks. Graduates from this program will learn about cloud security, risk management and threat intelligence. By training in data analytics and cybersecurity, they will gain an understanding of the cyber domain and its unique datasets and business intelligence needs.

Another new Bachelor of Science—in Neuroscience—is being offered through the College of Sciences. The degree program gives students the opportunity to explore brain function and disease across multiple disciplines, including neurobiology, psychology and computational sciences. The undergraduate degree is an outstanding preparation for graduate school, medical or dental school, as well as a wide range of careers in biotechnology, teaching, artificial intelligence and other health professions.

The College of Education and Human Development will also be starting its new B.A. in Equity & Education. Students in this program will explore what it means to be a culturally responsive, community-based agent of change via innovative course and field experiences. The knowledge and professional skills provided in this new degree program will prepare graduates to work with diverse learners across a variety of school settings.

In addition to those new bachelor’s programs at UTSA, the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design is launching a new M.S. in Aerospace Engineering. The master’s degree is designed to prepare degree-seeking students or degree-holders in mechanical engineering or a related field with the fundamental engineering knowledge that is necessary for a successful career in the aerospace industry.

Along with new degree programs, nearly 100 new full-time faculty are making their debut in UTSA classrooms today. Marking another year of outstanding new hires, they bring their talents from a host of prestigious institutions from around the nation and world. Notably, within this cohort, over 75% of the tenured and tenure-track faculty received their terminal degrees from Carnegie R1 research institutions.

UTSA is also welcoming students at the university’s Southwest Campus, following the university’s integration with the Southwest School of Art. In July 2022, UTSA warmly welcomed six faculty and 25 staff members to the university who will primarily support students at the Southwest Campus. The new campus reaffirms UTSA’s commitment to supporting the long-term continuity of high-quality arts education for the benefit of the entire San Antonio community—from youth to lifelong learners—and honoring and preserving the beauty and history of the campus. The site promotes education and enrichment and is located in proximity to other cultural and arts centers, including the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

San Pedro I will open to the public in January 2023.

One mile south of the UTSA Southwest Campus, construction is complete on San Pedro I and the new structure is undergoing interior finishes for its grand opening in January 2023. The $91.8 million, 167,000-square-foot, six-story building is the first of several planned for UTSA’s downtown expansion, serving as a catalyst for economic and community investment in the San Pedro Creek area.

San Pedro I will house the new School of Data Science, which will feature programs in artificial intelligence, computer science, data analytics and statistics, as well as at least 16 UTSA research centers, institutes and college-level labs, including the MATRIX: AI Consortium for Human Well-Being and the Open Cloud Institute. The entire data science community will also benefit by working closely with the National Security Collaboration Center, which will anchor the building’s top two floors with its embedded ecosystem of government contractors and federal partners.

At the Main Campus, another innovative new building is being prepped for its grand opening this fall. The Mesquite Living Laboratory will host summer camps and K-12 field trips throughout the school year, along with workshops for community members to help them understand what they can do to protect the Edwards Aquifer. Supported by the City of San Antonio through Proposition 1 funding, the living lab and surrounding area will be used to illustrate how low-impact developments like bioswales, green roofs and rain gardens can improve water quality.

Roadrunners will notice construction taking place at another Main Campus mainstay. Crews are advancing an exciting project to add windows to the third floor of the John Peace Library (JPL). Later this semester, the north and south sides of the third floor will boast brighter spaces and excellent views of campus, improving the environment for learning, studying and working.

UTSA is offering several new campus dining options this fall.

Students and employees may also look forward to a refreshed and renovated Roadrunner Café and several new dining options this fall. The university now boasts more healthy food options and more choices for those with specific nutritional requirements. Rising Roll is new to the Student Union (SU) food court, offering gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads in addition to proudly serving a Starbucks coffee menu. Meanwhile, Freshens Fresh Food Studio brings fresh-blended smoothies, vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options to the JPL food court. Further enhancements are taking place at Panda Express, the JPL RowdyMart and the seating area of the SU food court.

With so many new things going on this fall at UTSA, students and employees shouldn’t miss the opportunity to soak in the university’s traditions—whether it’s participating in Roadrunner Days events over the next two weeks or simply snapping a selfie in front of the legendary Sombrilla Fountain. The beginning of the school year is arguably the best time to cherish all that it means to be a Roadrunner.

— Shea Conner