UTSA launches task force to enhance campus experience for Roadrunners

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 — UTSA recently completed its yearlong strategic plan refresh process, outlining its continued efforts in transforming the institution into a leading Hispanic Serving, public research university. The refresh resulted in affirming destination one and modestly refining destinations two and three.

Destination three now specifies that UTSA will be an innovative place to work, learn and discover. As a result of these updates, which will be presented to the UT System Board of Regents for approval in November, the university has launched a task force to lead the effort toward achieving the destination’s goals to enhance the campus experience for faculty, staff and students, both in-person and online.

“By supporting an inspiring and engaging campus experience, we can create an environment where our students, faculty and staff will thrive,” said Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Enterprise Development Officer Veronica Salazar. “In doing so, we provide valuable support for our community to succeed in their studies, their work and their careers.”

“We are committed to providing the opportunity for representatives from across the university to share input, so all voices in our UTSA community can be heard.”

Salazar will serve as an executive sponsor for the Campus Experience Task Force alongside Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley. The task force will collect data and share insights from various internal stakeholders regarding ways to promote an exceptional campus experience, including guidance for flexible work arrangements and optimized academic courses, program modality and support services for employee success.

Co-chaired by Senior Associate Vice President for Administration and Operations Mary Hernandez and Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Operations and Strategic Initiatives Angela Griffith, the task force is comprised of more than 20 university representatives from divisions, colleges and programs and will be supported by People Excellence, Space Management, and Institutional Research and Analysis.

“We are committed to providing the opportunity for representatives from across the university to share input, so all voices in our UTSA community can be heard,” said Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley. “This feedback is a vital element in our efforts to draft solid recommendations for President Eighmy that will advance our progress toward our third strategic destination of becoming an innovative place to work, learn and discover.”

The task force launched earlier this month and will collect data and benchmark best practices throughout the fall semester. While collecting and analyzing data from the campus community, the task force will pair findings with institutional priorities, such as considerations on space allocation and utilization, downtown campus connectivity efforts, capital project development strategies, student success metrics and upholding the university’s three strategic destinations.

Upon completion of their work, the task force will present its findings on promoting an exceptional campus experience to university leadership, with a goal of implementing the recommendations by summer 2024. 

The task force’s next meeting is scheduled for October 4.

— Kimberly Maldonado