JULY 24, 2023 — Wanda Guntz has been a staff member at UTSA for over 21 years and has spent 14 of those years proudly giving back to the university. She began her career as an administrator for the Department of Kinesiology. She is currently the senior academic administrative manager in the College of Sciences’ (COS) Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology. She has worked with and mentored many students over the years, and she says they inspired her to begin giving back to UTSA through the Dean’s Fund for Excellence.
“I just really wanted to be involved and provide support. I worked with a couple of student organizations and served in an advisory role. It was just such a pleasure and inspiration to work with them,” recalled Guntz. “I want students to engage in their academic careers without financial barriers so they can take advantage of all the resources UTSA has to offer.”
After her transition to the COS, Guntz decided to increase her philanthropic contributions and began giving to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence in that college. As a member of UTSA’s Black Faculty & Staff Association, she also started contributing to the association’s Black Student Initiative Fund. Her support helped to establish the Black Student Leadership Council, where student leaders are elected to help decide how their resources will be used, including events and programs that support unity and community-building. Guntz shared that she is passionate about helping students find ways to play an important and integral role in campus life.
In the spring of 2021, Guntz took her generosity one step further and began contributing to the Roadrunner Staff Emergency Fund. The fund was created in 2021 to act as a source of hope and support for university staff who have been adversely affected by emergency situations.
“When UTSA’s staff have emergencies and need assistance because of unforeseen circumstances, it is wonderful that they can come to the place where they work and get assistance to help them through that. That’s a worthwhile expenditure for me, knowing that I am helping my colleagues,” expressed Guntz.
Having had such a positive experience working for UTSA, Guntz is proud to support the university and looks forward to growing her contributions in the future. She recently took up her latest area of support, Roadrunner Athletics.
Guntz has also begun to think about her future beyond UTSA. She will retire at the end of this month, and then she and her husband are relocating to Georgia so they can spend more time with their two-year-old granddaughter.
As for giving back to UTSA, Guntz encourages other staff members to join her in giving back, pointing out the value of starting small.
“I want to tell others that they don’t have to be major donors to make a positive impact. We’ve got to start somewhere, and if all of us start with just five, 10 or 20 dollars, it can truly make all the difference when multiplied by the masses,” said Guntz. “For myself, it is really such a pleasure working here. In the 21 years that I have worked here at this university, there has not been one day where I woke up and did not want to come to work. I have been energized and excited every single day. How can I not invest in that?”
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Roadrunner 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, Buena Vista Theater, 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.
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