Rowdy Corps program celebrates largest cohort, graduating class and community impact

MAY 30, 2023 — The Rowdy Corps Community Scholars program is a signature community-engaged leadership opportunity for UTSA students that has been gaining in popularity over the last few years. This year, 34% more students participated in the program compared to last year.  

The program supported 58 students in the 2022-2023 academic year, up from 43 students last year. This year’s scholars completed 22,854 service hours, which translates into roughly $682,000 in economic impact in the community. 

Managed by the UTSA Civic and Community-Engaged Leadership team, Rowdy Corps Community Scholars is a community-based, federal work-study program that engages UTSA students with the broader San Antonio community. The program provides work-study eligible students the opportunity to get real-world professional experience in a paid internship at more than 45 nonprofit and government agencies throughout the city. This experience, in turn, makes them more marketable job candidates. 

“The Rowdy Corps program is intentionally designed to prepare students to be community engaged, socially responsible and career ready.”

In addition to the community-based work placements, the program incorporates critical reflective analysis, leadership and professional development training, networking events and service-learning projects in the community.   

“The Rowdy Corps program is intentionally designed to prepare students to be community engaged, socially responsible and career ready,” said Maria Alejandro, director of the UTSA Office of Civic and Community-Engaged Leadership. “Many Rowdy Corps Community Scholar alumni can be found making an impact across the business, nonprofit, education and public sectors within and outside of San Antonio as teachers, accountants, marketing executives, IT support specialists and other service-centered positions.”  

 More than 190 students have participated in the Rowdy Corps program since it began in 2015. This spring, 12 graduating seniors completed the program together, marking the largest cohort of graduating Rowdy Corps scholars thus far. 

Rowdy Corps scholar, Alinna Garcia '23, graduated this month with her bachelor’s degree in finance. The Honors College student participated in the program for two years and worked off campus at the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology. She helped coordinate events and projects for the museum and assisted with its financials using QuickBooks and Salesforce. 

“I learned so much over the past two years and was able to hone my public speaking skills, networking abilities and attention to detail,” Garcia said. “Throughout my experiences, I kept realizing how determined and ambitious I am, and how it’s only going up from here. Being a part of the Rowdy Corps program helped me develop meaningful relationships that will last for years to come.” 

Daniel Ramirez ‘23, graduated this month with his bachelor’s degree in cyber security and information systems. As a Rowdy Corps Community Scholar, he worked at Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society, primarily supporting the organization with web development.  

“I was able to develop important skills like how to manage my time and complete tasks efficiently, and how to run a meeting,” Ramirez said. “I also learned how to not be discouraged when facing challenges, which is important on both a personal and professional level. The Rowdy Corps program was able to connect me to inspiring and supportive people who I know will always help in the future and continue to support me in everything I do.” 

 Ramirez is one of only 25 students in the country who will participate in the University of Texas at Austin’s iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3) over the next year, beginning this summer. I3 is a competitive research and leadership development program that prepares students from underrepresented populations for graduate study and careers in the information sciences. 

Rowdy Corps Community Scholars is a year-round program that accepts applications on a rolling basis. Work-study eligible students must submit an application along with a copy of their class schedule and proof of financial aid work-study award. The Summer 2023 application is available on UTSAEngaged. 

The Office of Civic and Community-Engaged Leadership empowers students, faculty and staff to serve society through community-engaged scholarship that enriches learning, promotes civic literacy, and contributes to the study of community needs and resources. The office is part of the UTSA Career-Engaged Learning unit within Academic Affairs, which is charged with advancing the university’s Classroom to Career initiative.

— KC Gonzalez