The Westside Community Center has helped more than 200 families acquire clear legal titles to their homes and helped small businesses.
AUGUST 19, 2024 — The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) named UTSA a finalist for two Innovation & Economic Prosperity Awards. UTSA is in the running for the IEP Economic Engagement Connections Award. The top prize in the awards competition, it recognizes excellence across various categories.
UTSA also is competing for the IEP Place Award, which recognizes a university’s achievements in place development through public service, outreach, extension and community engagement.
UTSA is one of six universities vying for the Economic Engagement Connections Award. Finalists also include the University of Alabama at Birmingham, East Carolina University, the University of New Mexico, the University of Memphis and Wayne State University.
UTSA recently boosted its economic impact in San Antonio through several initiatives, enhancing collaboration among students, researchers and businesses. Earlier this year, the Carlos Alvarez College of Business and the Small Business Development Center introduced the Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship (SURE) program, enabling students across disciplines to serve as consultants to local startups, craft fundable business plans and hone consulting skills such as client understanding, goal setting and trust-building.
“The Carlos Alvarez College of Business strives to build connections within our community that contribute to the San Antonio business ecosystem,” said Jonathon Halbesleben, dean of the College of Business. “Our SURE program provides a valuable service to both small business owners as well as our students who benefit from the experiential learning opportunity. We look forward to growing the program in the future.”
UTSA's Valdez Institute for Economic Development coordinates 10 public service centers aimed at strengthening the economies of San Antonio and South-Central Texas. This comprehensive institute offers training, advice, mentoring and support for entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses across a 79-county region along the Texas-Mexico border.
In 2023, the institute served over 40,000 clients, facilitated 545 new business launches, supported 900 expansions and helped secure over $200 million in new financing and investment. These and other institute efforts generated a $2.6 billion windfall for the state’s economy in 2023. for the state’s economy in 2023.
“The UTSA Valdez Institute for Economic Development was founded over 40 years ago and is committed to growing the local economy through entrepreneur and business development,” said Rod McSherry, UTSA associate vice president for innovation and economic development. “UTSA is excited about the economic opportunities in San Antonio and Bexar County, and we thank the APLU for recognizing our campus-wide efforts to support and serve our community.”
UTSA’s Westside Community Center is situated in the heart of San Antonio’s historic West Side, which is renowned for its Mexican and Tejano cultures. The center serves as a collaborative hub where students, faculty and staff partner with local organizations, civic leaders and businesses to develop impactful community services.
Key initiatives include addressing digital literacy and the digital divide in this historically underserved area. The center has helped more than 200 families acquire clear legal titles to their homes and helped small businesses with mentoring and advising services.
To be eligible for an IEP award, an institution must first earn the IEP designation from the APLU, which recognizes institutional commitment to regional economic development. UTSA received this designation in May 2023. The designation process requires that universities conduct a rigorous self-study of their economic engagement activities that includes input from external stakeholders. Each institution identifies areas for growth and improvement within its economic region and develops an improvement plan. This work demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in this kind of engagement, which is vital to universities and their regional partners.
Award applicants use the APLU’s Economic Engagement Framework to measure and communicate the institutions’ collaboration with public and private sector partners in their respective states and regions to promote economic growth, competitiveness and opportunities through a variety of efforts across three IEP categories.
“Congratulations to our 2024 IEP Awards finalists on their outstanding efforts to support talent development, drive innovation and spur place-based development,” said APLU President Mark Becker. “We’re excited to spotlight the exemplary work of our IEP Award finalists in driving innovation and prosperity across their regions.”
UTSA is a designated Hispanic Serving, public research university with a longstanding commitment to powering the Texas economy and building bold futures for students and members of the broader community. Over 7,000 students graduate from UTSA each year, 90% of whom stay and contribute to the Texas workforce.
UTSA's expanding Downtown Campus serves as a cornerstone of San Antonio's revitalization. Established to address a critical need for higher education in the community, the university has grown exponentially since its founding in 1969. The Downtown Campus has been instrumental in expanding access to higher education for underserved populations. With new buildings, public art and infrastructure improvements, UTSA is transforming the urban landscape and fostering a stronger, more connected community.
At the same time, the university's commitment to collaboration with the city and local businesses is driving economic development and enhancing the overall quality of life for San Antonio residents. Last week, UTSA announced its plans to purchase One Riverwalk Place, which will complement its existing downtown footprint.
The APLU fosters a community of university leaders collectively working to advance the mission of public research universities. The association’s membership consists of nearly 250 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems and affiliated organizations spanning across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico.
The IEP winners will be announced during the association’s annual meeting in November.
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The Roadrunner Pantry/Whataburger Resource Room has joined efforts with the campus community for the Move-In Market! Come shop for some great items for your room or apartment to get you started and set up for success. The best part about it--everything is free! Bring your UTSA student ID to receive shopping credits.
Student Union Annex (BK Lot 5 next to Campus Garden)UTSA parents and family members are invited for appetizers and drinks to meet other Roadrunner families following Move-In Week. Students are encouraged to attend Comedy Night and Late Night at the Rec, while family members celebrate their student’s next chapter.
Willie's Roadhouse, 4051 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78257Late Night at the Rec features an evening of fun, games, giveaways, and excitement. It's also a great way to learn about the facilities, recreation programs, and wellness services offered at the Main and Downtown campuses.
Campus Rec Center, Main CampusCome show your Roadrunner Spirit by joining our very own Rowdy, The Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band (SOSA), your fellow students, as we light the Monument at our Main Campus entrance at the stroke of midnight to mark the start of a new academic year.
Main CampusAnnual Giving will host a First Day of School celebration to welcome students back to campus. We will have giveaways and photo opportunities.
Sombrilla PlazaA sweet start to the Semester. Join the University College to customize your own sugar cookie while enjoying connecting with other UTSA students.
Airport Lounge (SU 2.02.00D,) Student Union, Main CampusJoin us for a tabling event with the UTS Bold Careers Program! Start the academic year off right with our team to discuss experiential learning and career development.
In front of the Rowdy Campus StoreThe 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.
