Dozens of student success programs are available for Roadrunners

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 — The University of Texas San Antonio strives to see its students succeed, inside and outside the classroom, with the end goal of obtaining their degree. To help all Roadrunners reach this goal, the university has several resources and programs in place.

“We intentionally offer programs at UTSA to help students succeed. We want to make sure that we're giving them the skills and the tools they need to become lifelong learners who are successful in the workforce,” said Tammy Jordan Wyatt, UTSA vice provost for student success. “We're trying to break down barriers and walls for students. By utilizing all these services, they’ll be much more successful.”

“We're trying to break down barriers and walls for students. By utilizing all these services, they’ll be much more successful.”

From the university’s signature First Year Experience to Tutoring Services, there are a variety of resources available in-person and virtually for students who need them.

“Over the past year, we’ve been able to provide services in various ways. We can offer support online or in-person to meet the students’ needs,” Wyatt said. “We’re really wanting to try to make all of our services accessible.”

Students who utilize the university’s support services perform better than those do not take advantage of them, Wyatt said.

“They persist and end up graduating at much faster rates. They’re also building connections on campus,” she said. “What we’ve tried to do is make sure that faculty and staff across the university know about all of our programs so they can direct students to the resources they need most.”

Many UTSA colleges are building dedicated student success centers, where students will have access to resources dedicated to their areas of study, Wyatt said.

“The colleges are gearing up to have their own centers to provide the support for upper-division questions and assistance,” Wyatt said. “At the Student Success Center, we're here to get you started early on and then build that bridge as you go and become more embedded in your program of study.”

The following is a partial list of available student success programs at UTSA, including those for new students and current students.

New and transfer student programs:

• Transfer & Transition Student Success Services
  UTSA is committed to support its students by empowering, supporting and assisting transfer students before, during, and after their transfer to the university by providing timely, accurate information and a seamless transition by providing a wide variety of tools and services.
  
  
• First-Generation & Transfer Student Center
  The First-Generation & Transfer Student Center supports students that identify as a first-generation or transfer student as they pursue their undergraduate degree. The center is focused on ensuring that students make the most out of their university experience through mentorship, student success activities, and community building.
  
  
• First Year Experience
  The First Year Experience Program (FYE) is committed to supporting first-year-in-college- students through peer mentorship as they transition into university life. FYE peer mentors meet with students one-on-one to provide academic, social, and personal support in order to enhance student success.
  
  
• LEAD Student Success Program
  This program provides opportunities for students to “take a LEAD” by enrolling in two courses, connecting with a peer mentor, developing strong academic skills, and learning about campus resources.
  
  
• TRIO Student Support Services
  The TRIO program provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements and motivates students to successfully complete their postsecondary education. The goal is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.

Current student programs:

• Academic Advising
  UTSA Academic Advising engages students in planning and navigating their academic careers. The advising team is available during normal business hours for assistance.
  
  
• Academic Success Coaching Program
  Academic Success Coaching fosters the development of skills for academic and personal growth through individual coaching and group workshops focused on a variety of topics.
  
  
• Access College and Excel Program
  The Access College and Excel (ACE) program is a scholarship and retention program for students who graduated from specific San Antonio area high schools. Scholarships, academic assistance, a college success seminar course, and mentoring are available for ACE students during their first two years.
  
  
• First-Gen STEM Scholars sponsored by USAA
  This special program fosters first-generation undergraduate student success through reducing loan debt, increasing graduate rates and emphasizing career engaged learning.
  
  
• Fostering Educational Success Center
  This center is dedicated to supporting students with a history of foster care. Enrolled and prospective students using the Tuition and Fee Waiver are supported through the center in order to be academically successful.
  
  
• Graduation Help Desk
  The Graduation Help Desk serves as a hub for students facing roadblocks towards graduation. Together with other campus offices, the Graduation Help Desk assists those experiencing unique challenges.
  
  
• SOAR Student Success Program
  SOAR (Success, Opportunity, Achievement, and Resilience) is designed to support and empower students needing academic support and assistance during their second semester and/or second year at UTSA.
  
  
• Supplemental Instruction
  Supplemental Instruction (SI) provides weekly study sessions for students enrolled in core and gateway courses at UTSA. The SI sessions work to improve learning strategies through lecture notes, text material and preparing for tests.
  
  
• Tutoring Services
  Tutoring Services provides academic support to students enrolled in supported core curriculum courses. Additionally, several undergraduate courses this fall will be supported by TutorMe, an on-demand 24/7 online tutoring platform.

— Valerie Bustamante and Ingrid Wright