U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis speaks with UTSA veterans

From left, at their visit to UTSA are VA employees Barbara Brookins and Wendy Foster, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and VA employee J. Michael Silva

By Staff Members in Office of the Associate Provost for Faculty and Student Diversity and Recruitment

(Nov. 14, 2012) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio hosted U.S. Department of Labor Secretary, Hilda L. Solis at the "Young Veterans Forum: Training for the Future" on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at the UTSA Downtown Campus. The conversation centered on veteran's education and training.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff introduced Solis, who discussed how the U.S. Department of Labor assists veterans making the transition from the military to educational or vocational programs and employment. She also answered questions from student veterans on topics such as the difficulty veterans with disabilities have gaining employment, transition assistance programs and in-demand job industries.

The Department of Labor is a strong supporter that helps veterans go from military service to the civilian labor force. Throughout her career, Solis has been a champion of education and training programs for veterans.

"Helping to provide the skills and training that our vets need to succeed when they come home has been one of the most rewarding parts of this job," said Solis.

"We were honored to have Secretary Solis take the time to visit with our student veterans here in San Antonio and provide her insight," said Lisa Firmin, UTSA associate provost for faculty and student diversity and recruitment. Her office organized the secretary's visit.

According to Firmin, UTSA is working hard to serve its large population of student veterans. UTSA certifies more veterans and family members than any other four-year public or private university in Texas. Currently, more than 2,500 UTSA students are using VA educational benefits or Hazelwood benefits to help them through school. Nearly 40 percent of those students are women, and 42.6 percent are Hispanic.

Solis is one of only two presidential cabinet members to visit UTSA in recent years. Last spring, Gabriela Lemus, her senior advisor, visited UTSA to meet with student veterans. Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. secretary of health and human services, was the keynote speaker at a UTSA graduation ceremony in May 2011.

Events

April 15-19, various times

Spring 2024 Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry Showcase

The UTSA Office of Undergraduate is proud to celebrate National Undergraduate Research with an annual event sponsored by the (OUR) featuring students will showcase undergraduate student research and creative endeavors from all disciplines across campus.

Various Locations

Wednesday, April 17, 11:00 a.m.

Asian Fanfair

Asian Fanfair is an event that highlights our APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) identities on campus. The event will feature performances from our AAPI interest Student Organizations, a tabling fair, and some cultural cuisine.

Student Union Paseo, Main Campus

Wednesday, April 17, 11:00 a.m.

UTSA Veteran Resource Fair

Join us for a day dedicated to supporting and empowering our UTSA veterans! We're excited to announce our upcoming resource fair, designed specifically to ensure that our veteran students have access to the resources and networking opportunities they need to thrive in their academic and post-military lives.

Student Union Lawn, Main Campus

Wednesday, April 17, 4:00 p.m.

Text Analysis Using Python

This workshop will introduce participants to the basics of text analysis using Python and Jupyter Notebook on the Constellate Lab platform. We will create datasets in Constellate to analyze patterns, trends, and relationships of contents and more.

John Peace Library (JPL 3.02.32), Main Campus

Wednesday, April 17, 5:30 p.m.

Phi Kappa Phi Hosts Last Lecture with esteemed professor Diane Abdo

What would award-winning writing professor Diane Abdo say if it were her last lecture? Join us for our annual Last Lecture series on Wednesday April 17.

Multipurpose Room (BSE 2.102), Main Campus

Friday, April 19, 11:00 a.m.

Día en la Sombrilla

Día en la Sombrilla, formerly Fiesta UTSA, is a festival hosted each spring as a part of Fiesta® San Antonio events. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions, the event features music, food, confetti, games, event t-shirts, and more.

Sombrilla Plaza and Central Plaza, Main Campus

April 20-21

Fiesta Arts Fair

Fiesta Arts Fair features contemporary art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S., Fiesta favorite foods, drinks, live music by local and regional performers, and a Young Artists Garden providing opportunities for budding artists to learn, explore and express their creativity.

UTSA Southwest Campus

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Spotlight

UTSA’s Mission

The 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.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

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.