UTSA honors the life of development leader Kim Fischer

Kim Fischer joined UTSA in 2009 as the director of development for the UTSA College of Sciences. Photo: Nash Baker.

APRIL 20, 2022 — The University of Texas at San Antonio is remembering the life of Kim Fischer, beloved colleague, friend, and chief academic development officer for UTSA College of Sciences. She passed away on April 15, 2022.

Kim joined UTSA in 2009 as the director of development for the College of Sciences, a role in which she served with a commitment to advance research to solve society’s grand challenges, enhance access to higher education, and attract the brightest minds to the university.

In that position, she led fundraising efforts to advance UTSA research leadership and excellence, especially in brain health, drug discovery, precision medicine, infectious diseases, and STEM teacher training. Kim secured philanthropic support for countless other projects in the college, working closely with faculty, researchers, and leadership to translate the impact of their work to those outside the university.

“We will forever remember Kim and celebrate her vibrant, beautiful life.”

In 2020, Kim assumed her most recent positions – two roles that encompassed fundraising for multiple colleges and units across the university, in addition to her work in the College of Sciences. She held the titles of UTSA chief academic development officer and senior executive development officer for the College of Sciences. In these roles, she advised high-level gift strategy, created community engagement and speaking opportunities for UTSA leadership, and consulted on donor stewardship while maintaining an impactful portfolio for the College of Sciences.

Across campus, many knew her name but more importantly, the impact of her work. Over the course of her tenure with UTSA, Kim raised millions of dollars in support of student scholarships, graduate fellowships, endowed faculty positions, research, programs, and more. 

“Kim loved working at UTSA and was so proud of our collective accomplishments and potential. She was instrumental in connecting people to our mission in meaningful ways and her enthusiastic advocacy for UTSA was boundless—especially with advancing the sciences. But, most importantly, Kim was the most caring, thoughtful, kind, and generous mentor to many,” President Taylor Eighmy said. “Kim will be deeply missed by Peggy and me, her colleagues in Development and Alumni Relations, and our entire Roadrunner community. Our hearts go out to Michael, Joshua, Sarah and Kim’s beloved grandchildren. We will ensure that her advocacy will be memorialized and perpetually embraced as an exemplar on how best to connect people to mission.”

Beyond the respect she earned as a development leader at UTSA, Kim had a great passion for her community. Throughout her life she assumed membership and board member roles with 15 organizations. Most recently, she was an engaged member of the Rotary Club of San Antonio, The Blood and Tissue Center Foundation, Cappy’s Breakfast Group, SA 100, and Trinity University where her husband, Michael Fischer, is the Janet S. Dicke Professor in Public Humanities in the Department of English and previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“Kim Fischer was a beloved friend, colleague, mentor, and leader not only in our division but throughout the College of Sciences, UTSA, and this community. We will forever remember Kim and celebrate her vibrant, beautiful life. She loved her family, her work, and her community,” said Karl Miller-Lugo, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. “Her legacy is all around us in the tangible effects of her stellar fundraising which advanced the College of Sciences and UTSA, and, more importantly, in the strong, lasting relationships she nurtured with her professional colleagues throughout our campus and the many donors and friends throughout San Antonio and beyond. We will all miss her more than words can express. Our thoughts are with her husband Michael, her two children, and her two grandchildren.” 

Kim’s work led to meaningful collaborations with many university supporters and foundations over the years. She cultivated cherished relationships with UTSA donors throughout San Antonio and beyond.  Because of that work, students and faculty in the College of Sciences continue advancing their studies and research in profound ways.  

“Kim blossomed at UTSA. She loved helping scientists tell their stories in a way that was understandable to potential donors and others, and she loved connecting with people on a personal level. She was a great friend, and I miss her so much,” UTSA Campaign Leadership Council member Pat Semmes said.

“Thanks to Kim’s tireless efforts and passion, philanthropic support enables scholarships for hundreds of College of Sciences students each year and catalyzes our most impactful research outcomes,” said David Silva, dean of the College of Sciences. “She was also an amazing friend, mentor, and partner for many people in the college. We are heartbroken for her family and will miss her terribly.”

Kim Fischer impacted so many throughout her life and her work will forever have a lasting effect. She exemplified passion in everything she did and loved helping others. Her Roadrunner family will miss her dearly as we work to carry out her legacy of excellence and kindness.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 22, at Christ Lutheran Church located at 6720 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. The service will also be available via livestream on Youtube.

To honor her life and impact to our community, the Kim Fischer Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in the Sciences has been created at UTSA. The fund will support undergraduate students pursuing a degree in the College of Sciences. Donations to the fund can be made at giving.utsa.edu/KimFischer.