Q&A: Alumni Association president Jacob Cavazos ’06 encourages alumni to remain engaged

DECEMBER 13, 2024 —Born and raised in San Antonio, Jacob Cavazos ’06 earned his B.B.A. in Management, following his parents’ Roadrunner footsteps, Eddie Cavazos ’82, M.A. ’92 and Laura Cavazos ’85, M.A. ’11. From a young age, Cavazos became familiar with the UTSA campus, visiting the university as an elementary-school student while his dad pursued his master’s degree. When it was time to choose his own college path, UTSA was the “natural choice,” Cavazos said.

After completing his degree, Cavazos worked for Frost Bank as a personal banking officer and later became vice president of marketing. Today, he serves as the chief community reinvestment and corporate responsibility officer for Broadway Bank.

Cavazos also serves as president of the UTSA Alumni Association – a term that will run through September 2025. He said he plans to continue serving on the board and remain engaged in other capacities to support students at the university.

As a member of a Roadrunner legacy family and the son of two career educators, Cavazos says that “there is nothing more meaningful to me than to be able to give back and invest in student success.”

UTSA Today spoke with Cavazos to learn more about the lessons he learned while attending UTSA, his career and his role as president of the UTSA Alumni Association.

Tell us about your role at Broadway Bank.

JC: I'm the chief community reinvestment and corporate responsibility officer at Broadway. I can't imagine a better job because I get to partner with so many nonprofits around our community. I focus on how the bank can give back and reinvest in the community. This takes the form of providing service opportunities for our employees and managing our corporate philanthropy and giving programs. I find meaningful and impactful programs in the communities we serve and help reinvest in those organizations.

“Be proud of your accomplishment. You worked so hard for this diploma, and walking across the stage is a huge deal. You should be very proud of that.”

How did your time at UTSA prepare you for your career?

JC: Like many UTSA students, I worked full time while going to school. I was able to get a job at Holt Development Services right out of high school. We did a lot of soft skills training for Holt and other entities like the Spurs. This gave me great perspective on organizational development and real-world experience that complemented my business classes at UTSA. After college, I got a job at Frost Bank, working on the banking side before moving into community reinvestment. I did that for several years, covering San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley regions, working with nonprofits, schools and municipalities. Then I received the opportunity to move to Broadway Bank and oversee community reinvestment and philanthropy.

What attracted you to UTSA and how did your education there influence your professional life?

JC: I was born and raised in San Antonio and went to Northside ISD schools. My dad attended UTSA, and I have memories of him going back to get his master's degree when I was in elementary school. My mom would bring us to campus, and we'd wait for him to get out of class. Seeing my father invest his time in continuing his education and investing in himself was very inspiring. Those memories made UTSA a natural choice for me. I wanted to continue in his footsteps and invest in myself the way I saw him invest in himself.

UTSA taught me the importance of dedication and hard work. The classes were challenging, and I had to balance studying with working full time. This work ethic translated into my professional life, where I learned that there's no skipping steps. You must invest time in learning and see the fruits of your labor. UTSA helped me learn how to do the work, devote time to it and not skip any steps.

When did you get involved with the Alumni Association and why is membership important?

JC: While UTSA has been a significant part of my life and my family's life, I didn't join the Alumni Association right away. Like many others, it was the creation of the football program in 2011 that brought us back to the university. My wife and I began with the Alumni Association Annual Membership in 2014, and we became Life Members in 2020. Following the UTSA 50^th Anniversary Gala, I became involved with the Association’s Board of Directors and eventually took on the role of president. It's been a huge blessing to serve in various capacities and support the university in many ways.

One of the most amazing parts of being on the board in recent years has been launching the UTSA Birds Up Podcast. We highlight alumni stories, and it has been amazing to hear my own story reflected in so many others. Working and going to school can feel isolating, but hearing other successful people's stories made it clear that it's a common experience. It's not linear; there are steps back and forward. It has been inspiring to hear stories emblematic of the UTSA experience. The Alumni Association plays a crucial role in keeping graduates connected with the university. We've been very purposeful about being involved in students' lives from the beginning of their educational journey, and we want students to be familiar with our services and how we give back and serve the UTSA and San Antonio communities.

What are some of the signature events organized by the Alumni Association?

JC: The Alumni Association serves as a unique connector for alumni. It's like the college experience – you get out of it what you put into it. If your goal is to grow your network, reconnect with other alumni, or even if you want to find places to watch games during the football season, you can do that. There are so many ways to get plugged in and connect. We host our Diploma Dash 5K, which raises money for student scholarships and is coming up in February 2025. We also host a Golf Scramble every Spring, which also supports student scholarships. If you're interested in volunteering, there are various opportunities to help with these events. We also have tailgates during football season and our big annual Alumni Gala before the fall semester. Each Alumni Chapter also organizes events and gathers alumni in their cities.

What advice do you have for UTSA graduates?

JC: First, be proud of your accomplishment. You worked so hard for this diploma, and walking across the stage is a huge deal. You should be very proud of that.

Second, stay engaged. Join the Alumni Association, get involved in one of our networking groups, hang your diploma on your wall, and wear your Rowdy gear proudly around the city you're living in.

Third, say yes to new opportunities. Be open to new experiences and treat everything as an opportunity to learn and grow your network. Saying yes and being open to opportunities can lead to invaluable growth and advancement in your life.

— Jennilee Garza