September 21, 2020UTSA receives $3 million commitment for Najim career and innovation center
Local entrepreneur and philanthropist Harvey E. Najim has committed $3 million to establish the Harvey E. Najim Innovation and Career Advancement Center at UTSA. The center will drive the university’s Classroom to Career initiative as part of its 10-year strategic vision and mission on student success.
“My vision is that every student who participates in the center is better prepared for a career when they graduate from UTSA and gives back to UTSA when they are financially able to. I chose to invest in career readiness because I have seen it work at Baylor and St. Mary’s University. I want every student who graduates from UTSA to get a diploma and a job offer. Earning a college education is the most important thing that you can do to realize your dreams and change your life,” said Najim.
The center will serve as a hub that offers programming aimed at ensuring that UTSA students in all majors are able to develop career pathways and leverage experiential learning opportunities that hone their career readiness skills. Under the leadership of Provost Kimberly Andrews Espy, programmatic components within the center will include innovation challenges, career navigators, career faculty fellows, business innovation internships and community innovation internships.
“Experiential learning helps students gain marketable skills and explore career interests before graduation, and the Harvey E. Najim Innovation and Career Advancement Center will allow UTSA to expand our efforts in developing experiential learning opportunities for students,” said Espy. “We are grateful to Mr. Najim for his support of our Roadrunner students and his vision for how the center, in turn, will support the San Antonio community by increasing connections to area business, nonprofits and government organizations.”
My vision is that every student who participates in the center is better prepared for a career when they graduate.
