Every year, thousands of Roadrunners arrive on campus carrying dreams of a brighter future, but the cost of college, the pressure of providing for family and the weight of uncertainty can make staying enrolled a daily challenge. For university students, the path to a degree is shaped just as much by perseverance as it is by ambition.
For many, it’s the difference between college being a dream or a reality.
“There are so many students like me who never imagined they’d have a chance to attend college,” says Ricardo Ayala ’25, a recent Honors College graduate in cybersecurity and Bold Promise recipient. “My parents didn’t go to college, and I often felt lost with no one to turn to for guidance.”
However, UTSA has made it a priority to ensure challenges like this don’t become roadblocks. Over the last few years, the university has expanded access to food resources, emergency assistance and scholarship support to provide students with the stability they need to stay enrolled, stay focused and excel. The notable increase in these resources can be credited to the overwhelming support received through Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future.
The Roadrunner Pantry provides nutritious food to students struggling with food access and insecurity.
Aydan Villarreal ’25, who served as president of the 2024-2025 Student Government Association, has witnessed the impact firsthand.
“The resources that donors have provided through the Be Bold campaign have genuinely changed lives,” he says. “Sometimes it’s the difference between a student staying in class or having to drop out. Other times, it’s simply knowing they’re seen, supported and not alone. That kind of support matters. It keeps students moving forward, even in their most difficult moments.”
One of the most visible examples of that support is the Roadrunner Pantry, which has provided students with groceries and daily essentials since 2017. In 2020, UTSA partnered with Whataburger and the San Antonio Food Bank to keep the pantry stocked year-round and establish additional support at the Downtown Campus. The Roadrunner Pantry remains a welcoming space where students can access what they need.
In January 2025, that foundation grew even stronger thanks to a generous gift from Harvey E. Najim, contributed through the San Antonio Food Bank, which expanded the pantry’s reach across both campuses. With mobile food distributions and consistent access to fresh produce and pantry staples, the pantry continues meeting students where they are, reducing stress, removing barriers and helping them stay on track.
“The pantry doesn’t just provide food. It helps ease the stress that comes with worrying about whether your basic needs will be met,” Villarreal says.
WATCH: Aydan Villarreal talks about the importance of Roadrunner Pantry.
For students facing sudden financial emergencies, whether it’s the loss of stable housing, a medical crisis or an unexpected bill, even a small setback can disrupt their path to a degree. The Student Emergency Fund offers short-term assistance during these critical moments, helping students stay focused on their education when life becomes unpredictable.
With early support from longtime partner USAA, UTSA expanded the fund in 2020 to meet growing student needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued generosity from donors has since transformed what began as a temporary solution into a permanent and essential part of the university’s student support system.
“The last thing we want is for a student to feel like they have to drop out or fall behind because of something beyond their control,” says Villarreal. “The Student Emergency Fund makes sure they can keep moving forward, even when life gets hard.”
Beyond immediate needs, donors have also invested in long-term student success through scholarship programs. A transformational gift from MacKenzie Scott and a generous contribution from USAA have helped expand the UTSA Bold Promise initiative, which allows eligible students from the San Antonio area to attend the university without the burden of tuition.
Ayala, a first-generation student, says the scholarship opened the door to something bigger.
“Receiving the Bold Promise scholarship was the first time I truly believed I could succeed and reach my goals,” he says. “Hopefully I can even inspire others along the way.”
By removing financial and personal barriers, UTSA’s student success initiatives are not only helping students stay enrolled, but they’re also creating ripple effects that strengthen families, communities and the workforce. That effort was nationally recognized in April 2025 when UTSA earned the Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation by the Carnegie Classifications, affirming its role as a model for student-centered investment and social mobility.
While national recognition affirms UTSA’s momentum, the clearest evidence of impact is found in the lives of students who are graduating because of the support they’ve received.
Villarreal believes the Be Bold campaign has transformed what it means to be a student at UTSA.
“Students are prouder to be Roadrunners than ever,” he says. “They feel more supported and better prepared to enter the workforce and make a meaningful impact in the world.”
He added that this philanthropic support goes beyond financial aid. It helps students build confidence, make connections and take ownership of their journey.
“We’ve seen new pathways open and new opportunities come to life because of the Be Bold campaign,” Villarreal says. “It’s exciting to be part of a university that listens to its students and works with them to solve problems. That’s what makes UTSA different.”
No comment yet, add your voice below!