PaCE works: A year of growth and innovation for UTSA’s professional and continuing education programs

JANUARY 13, 2025 — UTSA is amplifying its impact across the San Antonio region. Over the last year, it has enrolled a record number of students in its Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) programs, and it has partnered with local business leaders to bridge workforce gaps and ignite personal and professional growth.

This significant growth highlights PaCE’s commitment to addressing workforce needs and providing accessible educational opportunities for the community. Over the past year, PaCE has seen a 9% increase in legal program students, a 41% increase in education program students and a 40% increase in business-related program enrollments.

PaCE recently documented its new programs, organizational success and students’ achievements in its 2024 Impact Report.

“Our programs are equipping students with in-demand skills that make an immediate impact in the regional workforce, while also fostering a spirit of lifelong learning in our community,” said Melissa Mahan, associate vice provost for PaCE. “For the first time ever, we had more than 7,000 students in a single year seeking pathways to advance their careers, gain new skills or explore their creativity.”

UTSA’s continuing education programs connect South Texans with accessible, high-quality professional development, workforce training and community art programs. PaCE’s success is built on partnerships with local employers, ensuring these programs meet industry needs.

For example, PaCE creates custom training programs for employers through the Corporate Connection initiative. In the past, it has partnered with organizations like YMCA of Greater San Antonio and Lancer Worldwide. These collaborations have driven growth across PaCE’s communication, leadership and cybersecurity trainings, contributing to a 47% increase in corporate program participation.

One of PaCE’s most impactful collaborations is with SA Ready to Work, a city-led initiative that has helped thousands of San Antonio residents improve their quality of life through education and career advancement. PaCE ranks fourth among all initiative partners when ranked by the number of students it serves, demonstrating UTSA’s leadership in workforce development.

“For the first time ever, we had more than 7,000 students in a single year seeking pathways to advance their careers, gain new skills or explore their creativity.”

Providing foundational knowledge across emerging fields

In 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) continued to disrupt and transform entire industries. During that time, PaCE launched several new AI-related programs, including a boot camp and several certificate programs. PaCE instructors also empowered AI practitioners to level up their expertise, with multiple sessions designed for intermediate and advanced learners that touched on AI and topics like cybersecurity, data science and education.

Randy Quinn, a UTSA faculty fellow for corporate education, innovation and entrepreneurship and a PaCE instructor, helped San Antonio residents leverage AI to start their own businesses in his course, AI for Entrepreneurs.

“I was really interested in helping our students use AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth,” Quinn said. “UTSA’s team at PaCE is always looking for strategic programs with hands-on learning that allow participants to get real-world experience — and when it comes to something as rapidly evolving as AI, we’re proud to help our students build their confidence and skills to not only be prepared for dramatic changes in the workplace but to thrive.”

In 2025, PaCE will continue to expand its AI-focused curricula with new programs designed to help working professionals leverage AI in their fields. For example, PaCE’s medical billing and coding curriculum will include lessons on using AI to streamline claims processing, while similar approaches will be applied to courses in other fields, like leveraging AI in the legal field.

Lending expertise and growing in-demand skills

Since its launch in March 2023, PaCE’s Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) program has set an impressive standard by training 106 students with a perfect 100% passing rate. The students’ achievements highlight the program’s rigorous curriculum and quality of instruction. As health care administration becomes increasingly complex, PaCE’s focused training ensures participants are prepared to manage data accurately and navigate the challenges of an evolving medical field.

The CBCS program is just the latest edition to PaCE’s extensive portfolio of industry-specific training and certification programs. From the Paralegal Certificate Program, which is taught by local legal practitioners, to its pharmacy technician courses, the mediator certifications and AP Summer Institute that prepares educators, PaCE equips students with the practical skills and credentials needed to thrive across a variety of industries.

Expanding community arts for the next generation

PaCE’s commitment to innovation extends to the arts, where Community Art Programs foster creativity and growth for both youth and adults. Since the merger of UTSA with the Southwest School of Art in 2021, these programs have achieved a 53% increase in enrollment, serving a total of 4,651 students in FY 2024. Community Art offers diverse classes and workshops that empower individuals to explore their artistic potential, develop new skills and engage with the local arts community. This work contributes to San Antonio’s cultural vitality.

Looking forward, PaCE will embrace opportunities to bridge education, industry and the community, advancing its vision of transformative lifelong learning for all.