Walk the streets of downtown San Antonio and you’ll see the city’s story unfolding through architecture, culture and the rising presence of UTSA.
In just seven years, UTSA’s footprint has expanded from its primary downtown presence along Frio Street into an expanded campus presence and vibrant network of classrooms, studios and community hubs. These spaces are opening doors to education and collaboration, fueling creativity and strengthening the university’s ties to the city it calls home.
A New Chapter Begins at Santa Rosa and Dolorosa
At the corner of Dolorosa and Santa Rosa streets, San Pedro I stands as a bold addition to the city. Home to the School of Data Science and the National Security Collaboration Center, its central location deepens UTSA’s connections to civic partners, local businesses and national security collaborators.
It also creates new pathways for students and researchers to work alongside industry and government leaders on real-world challenges.
Graham Weston, a founding advocate for the School of Data Science, believes its impact will be far-reaching.
“Great companies waging the global battle for tech talent will know that the road to victory goes through San Antonio, Texas,” he says.
Fast Facts
- SDS has 32 faculty members
- The school has over 400 graduate students enrolled across five master’s and one Ph.D. program in Applied Statistics
- San Pedro I is 167,000 sq ft and six stories tall
- About 84,000 sq ft is devoted to SDS Classrooms, labs, and offices support
- The NSCC, a major research hub for government, university, and industry collaboration, is 81,000 sq. ft.
Innovation Takes Root at San Pedro Creek
Across the creek, San Pedro II is rising as the future home of UTSA’s College of AI, Cyber and Computing.
This new facility will bring together several of the university’s leading research and career-preparation programs, including the Harvey E. Najim Center for Innovation and Career Advancement, creating a dynamic environment where academic discovery and workforce development go hand in hand.
“We want students to graduate from UTSA with the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive in their first jobs,” says San Antonio philanthropist Harvey E. Najim. “That’s essential to their success and, in turn, to San Antonio’s economic development.”
Creativity Finds a New Home on Augusta Street
A few blocks east, a different kind of transformation is taking place. The former Southwest School of Art, now the UTSA Southwest Campus featuring the Amy Shelton McNutt Historical Arts Center, was named in honor of one of the site’s most devoted patrons. Amy Shelton McNutt’s passion for arts education and her endowment to protect the campus gardens and historic buildings continue to shape the space today. What began as her gift to safeguard the grounds has become a preserved landmark where creativity flourishes, history is preserved, and future generations are inspired.
The UTSA Southwest campus is home to two distinct types of programming: academic courses and community arts programming, which offers non-credit courses for learning of all ages. This inspiring campus gathers students and participants to deeply explore the arts through ceramics, painting, sculpture, digital media and more.
“This was my first real classroom experience with art,” says one student. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I discovered abilities I never knew I had. The confidence and joy I felt in that room made me wish we could meet every day.”
With support from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, UTSA also has expanded its Young Artist Programs, nurturing creativity and confidence in children across the city, helping to build a strong foundation for future learning.
UTSA’s Youth Artist Programs allow lots of opportunities for children and teens to experiment with different art mediums.
Business Growth Begins on Buena Vista Street
A short distance west, the Jude Valdez Institute for Economic Development continues to drive small business growth and entrepreneurship across the region and state.
Named in 2024 for Jude Valdez ’72, a UTSA alumnus and founder of the Institute, it reflects his decades-long commitment to expanding economic opportunity in San Antonio and beyond.
Valdez played a central role in shaping UTSA’s downtown presence, founding and growing the centers that would ultimately become the institute. Today, its programs provide guidance, training and resources for entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage of development.
A legacy gift through the Be Bold campaign also established the Jude Valdez Economic Development Excellence Fund, ensuring continued support for the institute’s mission and lasting impact on the region’s economic vitality.
By the Numbers
- 10,000+ small businesses served annually
- $2.6 billion in direct economic impact since 2018
- 15 centers and programs supporting business growth, government contracting, and entrepreneurship
- 2,500+ new jobs supported each year
- Programs span across rural, urban, and regional economies in Texas
What We’ve Built, Together
Across downtown San Antonio, buildings that once existed only in blueprints now house classrooms, studios and centers where learning, discovery, innovation and creativity thrive. Programs once imagined are now transforming lives and transforming our region.
This is what happens when a community believes in bold ideas and works together to bring them to life.
Thanks to the trust and generosity of donors who supported Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future, UTSA’s downtown presence isn’t just growing, it’s helping shape the future of Texas.
1 Comment
Great stuff. Thanks for capturing all of this positive UTSA momentum for our downtown.