APRIL 11, 2025 — Recently, more than 200 middle school students and family members gathered at the UTSA Main Campus for Day of Discovery, an interactive event designed to inspire young learners and introduce them to future career pathways. Through hands-on activities, engaging sessions and campus exploration, families gained valuable insights into higher education and the opportunities available at UTSA.
For more than a decade, UTSA has hosted family-focused events aimed at fostering a college-going culture within families across San Antonio. Previously held at the Downtown Campus as Family Summit, this year’s reimagined event — now known as Day of Discovery — took place at the Main Campus for the first time and focused heavily on career exploration.
UTSA endowed professor Erika Tatiana Camacho, Ph.D., visits with UTSA G-Force student mentor Vonshay Burciaga at Day of Discovery.Erika Tatiana Camacho, the Manuel P. Berriozábal, Ph.D. and María Antonietta Berriozábal Endowed Chair at UTSA and a professor in the College of Sciences, delivered an inspiring keynote address. Camacho shared her journey as a first-generation college graduate who has become a highly accomplished mathematical biologist and educator. Her story about dreaming big, showing up and working hard resonated with students and families, emphasizing the transformative power of higher education.
Throughout the day, families participated in interactive sessions spanning various fields, from art to engineering, where they engaged with UTSA faculty and students to explore how education can align with their career interests.
The event also featured a resource fair, providing families with access to information and support services to help guide students toward college and career readiness.
“As middle school families begin to select endorsement pathways for high school, it’s important they have the resources to support their children’s aspirations,” said Taylor Cole, UTSA assistant director of community outreach and organizer of the event. “UTSA is proud to host Day of Discovery as part of our commitment to educational access and community engagement.”
UTSA coordinated with several partners including Communities in Schools, Northeast Independent School District, the Military Child Education Coalition, Alamo Colleges, and Education Service Center-Region 20 to host the event. Thanks to support from H-E-B, families enjoyed lunch, received a tote bag and had the chance to win H-E-B gift cards.
Day of Discovery is presented by the UTSA Office of Community Outreach and Transfer Recruitment within the division of Strategic Enrollment. As part of UTSA’s broader mission to create pathways to higher education, the university offers year-round initiatives such as the Mobile Go Center, Roadrunner for a Day, and classroom presentations to support college awareness and preparation.
As a nationally recognized leader in social mobility, UTSA is committed to increasing educational access and economic opportunity for students of all backgrounds. The university has been designated with the prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Classification since 2015, affirming its deep partnerships with the San Antonio community to support student success and workforce development.
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AlamodomeThe 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, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
