College success centers provide students with academic support and career guidance

OCTOBER 6, 2023 — UTSA students can find academic assistance, classroom-to-career resources and specific support for their academic disciplines inside their college’s student success center.

The college student success centers are part of UTSA’s Academic Success District, a collection of key student support hubs centrally located on the Main Campus. Students can find these resources wherever they see the Academic Success District logo, an image inspired by the Sombrilla Plaza canopy and a graduation mortarboard, with the plaza in the background.

“UTSA continually evaluates and evolves its support services to respond to the diverse needs of our students,” said UTSA Senior Vice Provost for Student Success Tammy Wyatt. “As a result of increasing collaboration between the student success hubs and the college student success centers, more students are participating in university level academic support programs than ever.”

“UTSA continually evaluates and evolves its support services to respond to the diverse needs of our students.”

The college success centers are run by professional and student staff who work closely with the Division of Student Success. They provide students with inviting access points to UTSA’s many student academic support projects. The programs, many of which are nationally recognized, have been designed to increase engagement, encourage retention and positively impact graduation rates.

Additionally, many student success centers provide special programming unique to the sponsoring academic college. From hosting career-engaged learning opportunities and workshops, from connecting students with peer mentors, to providing career counseling or simply giving UTSA students space to gather and build camaraderie.

“Each college may have its own approach or goal that directly reflects the unique needs of its students, but we are so interconnected that all their work complements what we are doing at the university level,” said Wyatt. “Together, we ensure that all students get the support they need to thrive and graduate from UTSA and be prepared to enter their careers or graduate studies.”

Other Academic Success District resources

The Academic Success District initiative, developed throughout 2020 and 2021, was a collaborative effort by Academic Affairs’ offices of Academic Innovation and Student Success and Business Affairs’ offices of Space Management and Facilities. The initiative’s team took an inventory of UTSA’s student support services, streamlined and connected those programs, and ensured students could more easily access them.

The Academic Success District hubs complement the existing hubs located throughout the Academic Success District. For example, students can address all their advising needs, from enrollment through graduation, in the University Student Success Center. The Tomás Rivera Center for Academic Excellence is the central location for tutoring and success coaching. Students seeking supplemental instruction can find it in the Collaborative Learning Hub. First-generation and transfer students will find customized support programs through the Mentoring Hub.

Regardless of which Academic Success District hub or center students visit, they can connect with someone who can help—whether it’s an advisor, a tutor, a well-being coordinator or other UTSA staff. Each partner in the student success center model shares a commitment to creating career-engaged learning experiences, providing academic support, fostering belonging and well-being, advancing digital fluency and ensuring staff are well-prepared to assist students.

“The student success hubs and college student success centers that are part of the Academic Success District advance UTSA’s momentum as a model for student success,” said UTSA Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley. “No matter what path students choose, UTSA faculty and staff are ready to help them chart an enriching and empowering academic journey.”

Additional support on the horizon

This fall, UTSA is finishing the development of a new student success tool that allows them to connect with their academic advisors more easily and stay on track to graduate. Civitas Inspire will enable students to schedule advising appointments directly by viewing their advisor’s open appointment slots and picking the time that best fits their schedule.

Additionally, the Division of Student Success continues its UTSA Thrive initiative with a series of workshops for faculty, staff and students. This grant-funded project allows UTSA to explore and define what it looks like when its students thrive. Through a series of focus groups and workshops, UTSA aims to enhance support and advocacy by developing a thriving student framework that builds on students' assets and strengths.

— Brett W. Copeland and KC Gonzalez