JUNE 3, 2024 — UTSA will host the Teagle Foundation’s “Knowledge for Freedom: Migration, Democracy and the American Experiment” (K4F) program for area high school students. This initiative aims to immerse 15 rising seniors from local high schools in a profound exploration of democracy, citizenship and the pivotal role of humanities and social sciences in society.
The K4F program aims to enhance college readiness by providing participants with an outstanding academic experience, which includes educating them about the significance of civic engagement and how political action impacts their communities. Through collaborative projects, community outreach initiatives and experiential learning opportunities, K4F cultivates a generation of informed citizens who are equipped to engage meaningfully to society.
The program posits the idea that the humanities and social sciences are among essential components to creating the next generation of professionals who will ensure upward mobility for all Americans. One of the featured goals of the curriculum is to introduce highly aspirational, hard-working students to the fundamental concepts of democracy where they intersect with immigration throughout Western and American history. K4F aims to inspire a new generation of civic leaders who understand and value the contributions of the humanities and social sciences to a thriving democracy.
The curriculum was created by Jennifer Dilley and Sean Kelly, two award-winning professors in the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA). With their extensive experience in high school student recruitment and mentorship, they designed a program that will inspire a robust dialogue around the intersections of democracy, immigration and the American experiment.
Structured under the UTSA School for Interdisciplinary Engagement in the Humanities and Social Sciences (ISE), in partnership with the university’s Honors College, students will live on-campus in triple-occupancy rooms at Guadalupe Hall and receive dedicated support from academic advisors, counselors, professional and peer mentors, success coaches and others who will help them experience the range of academic support and social engagement programs that make UTSA a model for student success.
“We aim to teach about democracy and to show who democracy benefits. This initiative will challenge and expand students’ understanding of their roles within a democratic society, encouraging them to become active participants in shaping its future,” said Kelly, ISE school director.
The participants, chosen from schools serving San Antonio’s most underserved communities, will be immersed in a curriculum that spans the breadth of democratic thought. From ancient philosophies to contemporary debates on citizenship and rights, students will explore seminal works and participate in Socratic seminars, developing critical thinking, academic writing and public speaking skills.
Beyond academics, the program includes field trips, college-readiness workshops and opportunities for civic engagement projects, offering a holistic educational experience.
The program will welcome its first students in July and expects to expand its reach to more students in successive semesters.
The Teagle Foundation champions liberal arts education as an essential building block for meaningful careers, active citizenship, and personal fulfillment. With a mission to revolutionize teaching and learning within the arts and sciences, the foundation also addresses pressing issues of financial sustainability and accountability in higher education.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Archaeology 201 will briefly go over the foundations of archaeology and related skills, followed by a different topic over the course of this week (like skeletal analysis, global cultures, and more).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusYou will get the opportunity to learn about the importance of psychopharmacology, common medications for pediatric populations, and best practices for collaborating with health care teams and families.
Virtual EventThe UTSA Veteran and Military Office will be holding a social event for our new military-affiliated students to come out and meet our office, staff, and other students.
MB 0.100, Ground Floor Lobby, Main BuildingThe Student Union invites you to join us for Kickback at the Union, a fun event designed to get you acquainted with all of the services available in the Student Union!
Student UnionInterested in learning more about the different fraternities and sororities in the Multicultural Greek Council? Come meet our organizations and enjoy free food and music.
Retama Galleria (SU 2.02,) Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.