President Eighmy launches new office and provides operational updates ahead of integration with UT Health SA

APRIL 29, 2025 — Editor’s note: The following message was sent via email from UTSA President and UT Health San Antonio Acting President Taylor Eighmy to all faculty and staff.

Over the last seven months, our efforts surrounding integration have grown considerably. Since the UT System Board of Regents’ announcement last August, we've established an Integration Steering Committee and launched seven initial Task Forces to begin various focused efforts critical for integration. Our first phase of a multi-phased process will continue through the current fiscal year and remain heavily focused on securing SACSCOC accreditation to prepare for a successful day one launch as a new, unified powerhouse university.

Integration Management Office

As we continue our planning efforts and prepare for subsequent phases, we’ve reached a point in the process where we must create an internal framework to support current and future integration efforts. With that, I am excited to announce the launch of the Integration Management Office (IMO) to oversee this critical work. Executive Vice President and Chief Enterprise Development Officer Veronica Salazar will lead this new office and oversee integration planning efforts.

To start, the IMO will lead a functional discovery process to assess the current operations and business functions across both universities, forming the foundation for a transformative future state. This effort will continue the work of existing integration Task Forces while also supporting new cabinet members as they begin designing merged functional areas for the new university.

Related to Veronica’s new role and in support of building long-term integration capacity, we are beginning to scale back the consulting services provided by Huron and are actively building the internal infrastructure needed to support the ongoing integration of our two institutions. This transition reflects our commitment to creating a sustainable internal capability to manage the complexity of our merger and to support future growth and operational alignment.

Current and Future Operations

As announced in my February update regarding the new leadership structure for the university, Veronica Salazar and Andrea Marks, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, are both essential members of the new cabinet structure taking effect on September 1. Throughout the first phase, Veronica will continue to lead operations, finance and administration for UTSA while she takes on the added role of leading the IMO. Andrea will continue to lead operations, finance and administration for UT Health San Antonio while she transitions to encompass responsibility for UTSA as well.

Subsequent to the merger, Andrea will provide leadership and strategic direction for the new university’s entire business, finance, and operational functions, ensuring alignment with the vision and long-range plan for our integrated institution. Veronica will continue her oversight of the IMO and will play an expanded role focused on a new division of enterprise development and transformation—driving strategic growth initiatives, identifying new market opportunities, and building key partnerships to support the university’s long-term goals. This operational design and enterprise development work is vital to building our world-class university.

I want to thank both Veronica and Andrea for their leadership, collaboration and commitment to preparing for our future university. Their thoughtful planning efforts over the coming months and years will ensure the development of an innovative operational model that advances the mission of our institution.