APLU Place Award recognizes UTSA’s growing economic and community impact

Former HUD Secretary, San Antonio Mayor and City Councilman Henry Cisneros spoke to SURE participants at the program’s first graduation.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 — UTSA was named a winner of the Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) Place Award by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) at its annual meeting in Orlando last week. The award recognizes the university’s exemplary initiatives in social, cultural and community development.

To win an IEP award, institutions must first earn the IEP designation from APLU, recognizing institutional commitment to regional economic development. Designees undertake a rigorous self-study of their economic engagement activities, incorporating input from external stakeholders. They then develop and implement a plan to optimize and expand their economic impact. UTSA received the designation in May 2023 and was named a finalist in August 2024.

“Our university is deeply committed to driving prosperity and development for our city, region and beyond,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “This award highlights that commitment and exemplifies our shared dedication to continuous learning and improving in this space. I am proud of our work with APLU to chart this course and the dedication of my colleagues whose leadership drove us toward this important milestone.”

“Public universities are major drivers of economic growth through their talent development, innovation and community development efforts.”

This photo was recently taken of the first cohort of students and business partners graduating from the Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship (SURE) program. SURE exposes UTSA students to entrepreneurship and allows them to apply their business knowledge to assist local small business owners.

UTSA was recognized for several key services and initiatives that have emerged or expanded in recent years. Among the contributors is the Valdez Institute for Economic Development (IED), which includes 10 public service centers that are strengthening the economies of San Antonio and Texas. The IED promotes economic development through a range of free and low-cost services, including training, advising, mentoring, research as well as support for entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses across South and West Texas.

“It is an honor to receive this distinguished award and to recognize the ongoing partnerships and collaborations that support economic growth and prosperity,” said Rod McSherry, UTSA associate vice president for innovation and economic development. “We are proud of the economic development that UTSA has fueled in San Antonio and Bexar County, and we thank APLU for once again recognizing our commitment and impact in our community.”

IED has grown its foothold in the Texas economy in recent years, generating $2.6 billion in direct economic impact for the State of Texas in 2023. That same year, the institute served over 40,000 clients, facilitated 545 new business starts, supported 900 expansions and helped secure over $200 million in new financing and investment.

“Public universities are major drivers of economic growth through their talent development, innovation and community development efforts,” said APLU President Mark Becker. “We’re pleased to recognize institutions that have made a remarkable impact on their community, states, nation and beyond in these critical areas.”

Another key initiative is the UTSA Westside Community Center, a collaborative hub on San Antonio’s historic West Side where students, faculty and staff partner with local organizations, civic leaders and businesses on economic-development efforts.

The center is advancing several initiatives, including programs to address digital literacy and the digital divide in this historically underserved area of San Antonio. The center has helped more than 200 families acquire clear legal titles to their homes and has helped small businesses with mentoring and advising services.

In an effort to engage students in UTSA’s economic development work, the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA and the Valdez IED’s Texas South-West Small Business Development Center Network introduced the Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship (SURE) program earlier this year. The program exposes students to entrepreneurship and allows them to apply their business knowledge to assist local small business owners. Working with business mentors, they craft fundable business plans for their clients to implement.

— Audrey Gray