MAY 8, 2023 — Angel Morales knows what he wants in his life, and he’s spent the last few years working to make it happen. As graduation closes in, he’s one step closer.
This spring, Morales will earn his bachelor’s degree in business administration with his eyes set firmly on finding a career in human resources at a local company that places the same values on family as he does.
The San Antonio native will be the last of his siblings to graduate from college, an accomplishment he says his mother wasn’t able to pursue for herself but prioritized for her children. Morales has an older sister who earned two degrees, in Spanish and dance, and a twin brother, who also earned his business degree.
“I’ll be the third of us to graduate, but I am also the youngest,” he jokes. “I am excited. I think proud is the right word for what I feel.”
Morales continues, “My mom was the first generation to be born in the U.S., and she has worked hard for us as a single parent. We’re all here because of her and my grandparents who moved here from Nueva Rosita, Mexico. Graduating feels like paying homage to my mom—that all of her children have graduated college.”
A degree in business wasn’t always on Morales’ radar. Fresh out of high school with a bit of uncertainty about what to do next, he thought a career as a coach seemed like the right fit for him. He began classes at UTSA in kinesiology.
As often happens, life took him down a different path. He joined the workforce and didn’t make it back into the classroom until 2020. Morales has been a VIA bus operator for the past five-and-a-half years.
During his time away from college, his grandfather passed away and the pandemic hit. These experiences made him rethink his life plan. He put more thought into what he wanted in a career and decided on working toward a business degree like his brother. Morales says he’s always looked up to his slightly older twin.
Morales’ workload increased during the pandemic. He drove through the streets of San Antonio six days a week picking up people with places to go. That’s when he decided he needed a change. He enrolled in UTSA and took courses online.
“Because of those things, my perspective changed,” he said. “I didn’t want to be a bus driver for the rest of my life. It’s a good job, but I’ve always wanted something more to provide for my family – they mean the most to me – and I want to be able to continue taking care of my mom and my grandmother.”
Now in his final semester at UTSA, his workload at VIA hasn’t changed. He is currently taking classes on campus three days a week and driving the bus overnight six days a week.
Through it all, he made the UTSA President’s List in spring 2021 and 2022 and again in fall 2022. He made the Dean’s List in fall 2021 and the honor roll in fall 2020.
Morales has served as vice president of the Society for Human Resource Management at UTSA this semester, and he’s explored other interests.
“I am a very busy guy. I don’t like to stay in the same area for long,” Morales said. “I am involved in so many different types of things I love learning and working on improving myself.”
He earned his CrossFit coaching certification about a year ago.
Bitten by the acting bug, Morales also hired an acting coach about six years ago so he could do something he’s always wanted to try since childhood. Over the last couple of years, he’s landed several roles as an extra and has appeared in the background on productions such as the CW’s “Walker,” Netflix’s new “Spy Kids” movie and in a recent commercial for the San Antonio Zoo.
But it’s the business world and human resources that will offer him the fulfillment he gets from helping others. More importantly, it will enable him to continue caring for his family, including his mother and grandmother. Plus, his career path will likely keep him in the city he loves.
“I am glad I came back to UTSA. It’s where I started, and where I wanted to finish,” Morales said. “I am just grateful for the opportunity to put the UTSA colors on. UTSA is where my heart is, and San Antonio is always home to me. I am very proud of that.”
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Join 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.
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Virtual EventThis event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt 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 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.
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