OCTOBER 20, 2023 — A project between UTSA and Six Flags Fiesta Texas is getting the word out about some high-tech experiential opportunities available to students.
The ESIX Gaming Arena is a development between University Technology Solutions’ (UTS) Bold Careers Program, Roadrunner Gaming at UTSA and Six Flags. The arena has created experiential learning opportunities for Roadrunner gamers working for the venue, while also providing access to high-end gaming hardware to park-attendees.
With the esports field valued at over $1 billion—including players, teams, and sponsorships—there is a growing push for universities to embrace gaming, according to Vanessa Hammler Kenon.
“Partnerships are vital to keep up in the growing fields of esports and experiential learning,” said Kenon, who is the UTS associate vice president of technology compliance and community engagement.
ESIX was recently in the spotlight, during the 2023 Govtech Leadership Summit. UTS joined forces with TechTables, a design and technology podcast, to bring Govtech to San Antonio.
TechTables Founder Joe Toste said that the purpose of the summit was “to build upon the research excellence of the university with a real-time collaborative roundtable and boldly jumping into the future at the ESIX gaming arena at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.”
Local attendees included Craig Hopkins, chief information officer for the City of San Antonio; Jo Ana Alvarado, director of innovative technology for Opportunity Home San Antonio, formerly known as the San Antonio Housing Authority; and Kendra Ketchum, vice president for information management technology and CIO at UTSA.
The event, which was also a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, featured a dinner at Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia. The dinner was an opportunity for participants to show their support for the city’s Hispanic leaders. The gathering at Mi Tierra also served to honor UTSA, a Hispanic Serving Institution that recently received recertification of the prestigious Seal of Excelencia.
For students enrolled in the Bold Careers Program, the summit was a chance to witness first hand exchanges of idea among participants.
“The leadership summit was a great opportunity to talk and connect with chief innovation officers from public and private sectors across the country on a more personal, comfortable environment compared to job fairs,” said Jacques Ballou, a student in the BBA cyber security program and Bold Careers intern. “I especially enjoyed listening to the panels on business management, leadership development and cybersecurity.”
By 2028, UTSA aims to have 75% of its students participate in one or more experiential learning opportunities. Initiatives such as the UTS Bold Careers Program are helping the university to reach that goal.
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This academically rigorous mathematics-based summer enrichment program prepares middle and high school students for advanced studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Participants learn about problem-solving systems, develop greater awareness of STEM careers and strengthen their research skills.
UTSA Main CampusArchaeology 101 will introduce campers to archaeology and build on learned skills through experimental activities (like cave painting, weaving, and garbology).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusThe camp exposes rising high school juniors, rising seniors and incoming college freshman to the many facets of the criminal justice system. Students will have opportunities to learn the functions of police in society and apply scientific theories to criminal investigations by examining a mock crime scene.
UTSA Main CampusThe Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center invites you to join us for the Summer Bridging Institute. This institute will focus on being lifelong growers and continually seeking to increase our skills as educators.
UTSA Downtown CampusArchaeology 201 will briefly go over the foundations of archaeology and related skills, followed by a different topic over the course of this week (like skeletal analysis, global cultures, and more).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusCraft a comic to create your own narrative and find your voice through storytelling. Participants will learn to create characters that are self-reflective and through a community lens.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusCome enjoy a discussion on art as a self expression in the age of moving technology and telling your story with a community.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusThe 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.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
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.
