UTSA SGA President Jasmin Paquet-Durand Ford
AUGUST 22, 2022 — Editor’s Note: The following is a back-to-class message from UTSA Student Government President Jasmin Paquet-Durand Ford:
Welcome, Roadrunner Nation! My name is Jasmin Paquet-Durand Ford and I have the honor of serving as your 2022-2023 student body president. I’m excited to welcome everyone to the new school year and would like to share some tips and tricks I’ve learned throughout my years at UTSA.
UTSA is a growing university, but in our 53-year history, we have distinguished ourselves nationally as a Hispanic Serving Institution and are nationally recognized for research excellence. We have a rich history that has been woven into our annual traditions and a deep connection to the San Antonio community. There is truly no university like ours.
The UTSA Student Government Association (SGA) is a sponsored student organization created with the mission to be the primary advocate and voice for the student body.
We are here to assist students in accessing resources, voicing grievances, and creating an environment where all students feel welcomed and valued. Recently, like other organizations, our membership has declined, and student engagement dwindled. But we are rebuilding! It’s a great time to get involved. We’re moving SGA back into a position where it can effectively advocate for student interests. If you’re interested in joining us on the journey of rebuilding and reimagining what SGA can be, there are so many ways to do so.
This brings me to my first piece of advice: Get involved!
UTSA has 300+ student organizations with foci ranging from professional and career-related to hobbies and interests, advocacy and volunteering. No matter what your interests are, there’s an organization for you. Or, if you see a need on campus, you can register your own student organization. Getting involved is one of the best ways to build our community, discover opportunities, make connections and grow as an individual.
Not sure where to start?
Roadrunner Days are full of events aimed at helping students identify and access resources and opportunities. Swing by the Get Involved Extravaganza from 5 to 7 p.m. on September 1 or to the Black Convocation from 4 to 7 p.m. on August 29 to learn more about all the organizations and departments on campus.
While it is important to get involved, one of the biggest mistakes I have seen students make, and one that I’m guilty of myself, is getting too involved.
There are so many opportunities and things to do, and many of us feel pressure to do everything. Your #1 priority should be taking care of yourself and finding what balance means to you. UTSA has countless resources to assist students mentally, academically, socially and professionally.
This brings me to my second piece of advice: Take care of yourself and utilize all available resources.
There is sometimes a stigma attached to asking for help, but the most successful students are those who use every resource to their advantage.
UTSA has a myriad of resources to support students' academic, professional and personal success. I encourage you to explore our Whataburger Resource Rooms (formerly the Roadrunner Pantry), departmental tutoring services or supplemental instruction sessions, free exercise classes at the recreation center, and UTSA Wellbeing Services. These are just a few of the many resources available to you. If you’re not sure where to look, SGA is here to help.
It is an exciting time to be a Roadrunner. I trust you will find your home here just like so many others have. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone around campus this semester and remember: you have a voice, and that voice matters.
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.
The UTSA Office of Undergraduate is proud to celebrate National Undergraduate Research with an annual event sponsored by the (OUR) featuring students will showcase undergraduate student research and creative endeavors from all disciplines across campus.
Various LocationsDía en la Sombrilla, formerly Fiesta UTSA, is a festival hosted each spring as a part of Fiesta® San Antonio events. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions, the event features music, food, confetti, games, event t-shirts, and more.
Sombrilla Plaza and Central Plaza, Main CampusFiesta Arts Fair features contemporary art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S., Fiesta favorite foods, drinks, live music by local and regional performers, and a Young Artists Garden providing opportunities for budding artists to learn, explore and express their creativity.
UTSA Southwest CampusJoin the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
AlamodomeCelebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
AlamodomeThe 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 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.
