UTSA announces College of AI, Cyber and Computing

DECEMBER 30, 2024 — Editor's note: This article was originally published on December 12, 2024.

UTSA has announced plans to launch the College of AI, Cyber and Computing, advancing the university’s strategic vision to integrate emerging technologies with interdisciplinary approaches. This innovative college will build on UTSA’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data science and related disciplines to address the demands of an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

The announcement follows recommendations from an advisory task force that launched in January, as well as deep and broad consultation with internal and external stakeholders over the past year.

Slated to formally launch in fall 2025, the new college is expected to enroll well over 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Its faculty and staff will work closely with employers and community partners to align its academic programming with workforce needs, ensuring UTSA graduates are well-prepared for emerging career opportunities.

“Our newest college is at the epicenter of the digital convergence that will shape the future, as it focuses on thought leadership, new innovations, transdisciplinary collaboration and future applications of AI, computing and data science,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “Moreover, this first-of-its-kind college reinforces our position as a leader across disciplines, driving the workforce and economic development that our city, state and nation need.”

“UTSA’s commitment to innovation is deeply tied to our role as a catalyst for economic growth in San Antonio and beyond.”

Fueling workforce growth in San Antonio’s Tech Corridor

A focus on workforce development is a cornerstone of the new college, as demand for expertise in AI, cybersecurity, computing and data science continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in data science and cybersecurity alone is projected to exceed 35% by 2031, with millions of positions opening worldwide in these and related fields.

Building on the success of the UTSA School of Data Science, launched in 2018, the establishment of the College of AI, Cyber and Computing represents the university’s next step in meeting the region’s growing demand for skilled professionals. As a key component of UTSA’s downtown expansion, the college will serve as a dynamic hub for education and research while deepening UTSA’s connections with industry and government partners.

“UTSA’s commitment to innovation is deeply tied to our role as a catalyst for economic growth in San Antonio and beyond,” said UTSA Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley. “By anchoring the new college downtown and aligning its programs with workforce needs, we’re creating unparalleled opportunities for our students and amplifying our city’s reputation as a destination for top talent and innovation.”

Headquartered at the UTSA Downtown Campus in San Pedro I and the under-construction San Pedro II, the college will expand UTSA’s role as a cornerstone of San Antonio’s tech ecosystem. By fostering strong ties with local and national partners, UTSA is solidifying San Antonio’s position as the largest information security hub outside Washington, D.C.

Most notably, Shipley added, these collaborations will offer students hands-on learning opportunities, including internships, research and real-world projects, ensuring they graduate with the skills to excel in high-demand fields.

Focus areas

The UTSA College of AI, Cyber and Computing will comprise four specialized departments, structured to maximize current expertise and collaboration across computer science, computer engineering, information systems and cyber security, and data science and statistics. These departments will collectively oversee a robust portfolio of undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to prepare students for high-demand careers while advancing UTSA’s role as a research powerhouse. 

“The nexus of disciplines will accelerate innovation across industries by creating smarter, more secure and efficient systems,” Eighmy said. “The rapid pace of technological advancement makes it critically important to integrate cyber into the foundation of AI and data operations.”

Academic programs in the new college will be structured as follows: 

• A department focused on computer science will combine the university’s existing degrees in computer science and a newly approved undergraduate program in software engineering, also scheduled to launch in fall 2025.
  • Computer Science (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.)
  • Software Engineering (B.S.)
    
    
• Bridging software and hardware, a department focused on computer engineering will house degrees in computer engineering and artificial intelligence.
  • Artificial Intelligence (B.S., M.S.-MDST)
  • Computer Engineering (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.)
    
    
• Addressing critical needs in cybersecurity and information systems, a department focused on information system and cyber security will offer degrees such as
  • Applied Cyber Analytics (B.S.)
  • Cyber Security (B.B.A.)
  • Cyber Security - Information Technology (M.S.)
  • Cyber Security Science (M.S.)
  • Information Systems (B.B.A.)
  • Information Technology (M.S., Ph.D.)
    
    
• Finally, a department focused on data science and statistics will drive innovation in data-driven decision-making.
  • Applied Data Science (B.A.)
  • Applied Statistics (Ph.D.)
  • Data Analytics (M.S.)
  • Data Science (B.S.-MDST)
  • Statistics and Data Science (B.S., M.S.)

More than 5,000 UTSA students currently are enrolled in these degree programs.

By aligning existing programs and creating opportunities for new ones, the college will also enable UTSA to respond swiftly to emerging technologies and market needs.

Advancing research and collaboration

The new college structure also will provide students with unparalleled opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary research and will foster collaboration and innovation among university faculty and researchers, Shipley added.

The college will align closely with two university-level research centers to expand its impact. The UTSA AI Consortium for Human Well-Being (Matrix AI) is dedicated to transformative research on designing and deploying AI technologies to enhance human life. It fosters a transdisciplinary approach to preparing future leaders with forward-looking, sustainable solutions. Similarly, the Open Cloud Institute (OCI) supports university-wide initiatives in cloud computing, data science, AI and machine learning, driving innovation and discovery across multiple domains.

The College of AI, Cyber and Computing also will unite three UTSA research centers — the Institute for Cyber Security (ICS), the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) and the Cyber Center for Security and Analytics — under one administrative home. Collectively, these centers will drive innovation and address critical societal challenges.

The ICS leads groundbreaking studies in cybersecurity models, architectures and technologies, with a strong focus on doctoral education and partnerships across academia, government and industry. The CIAS enhances state and community cybersecurity capabilities through grassroots initiatives, education and training, while fostering a culture of preparedness nationwide. The Cyber Center bridges cybersecurity and data science to deliver practical solutions in areas such as machine learning, cyber forensics and advanced cyberinfrastructure, serving as a trusted partner for public and private organizations.

“By integrating and aligning these centers, the new college will amplify UTSA’s ability to secure competitive funding, foster transdisciplinary partnerships and deliver real-world solutions,” Shipley said. “This collective expertise positions the college as a national leader in addressing the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly digital and interconnected world.”

Looking ahead

UTSA plans to launch a nationwide search for the founding dean of the College of AI, Cyber and Computing in January 2025. College leadership, including department chairs, is expected to be in place when the college begins in August 2025; following the initial launch, the dean will lead the college in a strategic planning process.

As the college takes shape, UTSA will continue engaging with stakeholders to ensure its programs, partnerships and initiatives reflect the needs of the university and the community.

— Rebecca Luther