“Dream no small dreams,” Taylor Eighmy said in his inaugural address as UTSA’s sixth president. His big dreams have resulted in significant achievements in the university’s key areas of focus: student success, research excellence and strategic growth. On this five-year anniversary of his time at UTSA, Sombrilla Magazine looks at how Eighmy harnessed the trust, support and enthusiasm of the San Antonio community to pave the way for lasting greatness for the institution.
September 2017
UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium is created, assembling leading brain health researchers to develop groundbreaking approaches for treating brain diseases and injuries.
October 2017
Eighmy unveils a 10-year strategic plan based on student success, research excellence and strategic growth.
April 2018
The future of the Downtown Campus is charted in a presidential initiative, advancing UTSA's urban-serving mission.
August 2018
The Presidential Initiative on Research Excellence is unveiled, propelling UTSA’s Tier One efforts.
September 2018
Business leader Graham Weston donates $15 million to UTSA's downtown expansion; UT System Regents fund $70 million.
October 2018
The Classroom to Career Initiative launches and expands students’ hands-on learning opportunities.
January 2019
The Office of Inclusive Excellence is established with programs to promote a diverse and welcoming campus.
January 2019
The UTSA Urban Education Institute is formed as a catalyst for school district partnerships, serving students in need.
January 2019
The Strategic Faculty Hiring Initiative is created to bolster faculty diversity and expertise.
February 2019
A comprehensive initiative to prevent sexual assault and misconduct is launched.
May 2019
The Texas House of Representatives introduces a resolution recognizing UTSA for its role as a national leader in cybersecurity education, research and training.
September 2019
The Westside Community Center opens; the Westside Community Partnerships Initiative is launched to support educational, economic and cultural programs.
September 2019
The Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Pilot Project is established to support resources for youth with a history of foster care.
September 2019
UTSA is the first university in the nation to implement the Tracy Rule and model the NCAA’s most comprehensive serious misconduct rule.
October 2019
UTSA co-creates the San Antonio Partnership for Precision Therapeutics to explore solutions in personalized medicine.
October 2019
The UTSA College for Health, Community and Policy is established to advance studies in human health and community well-being.
November 2019
UTSA becomes an Adobe Creative Campus, giving students, faculty and staff full access to the Creative Cloud suite.
December 2019
UTSA launches Bold Promise, a groundbreaking program that covers 100% of tuition and fees for undergraduates in need.
January 2020
The university partners in the R&D League with the City of San Antonio, SwRI and USAA to address local research needs.
March 2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UTSA implements a comprehensive effort innovating a remote learning structure.
May 2020
The U.S. Department of Energy selects UTSA to lead the $111 million Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII).
August 2020
The Science and Engineering Building opens with cutting-edge labs, classrooms and collaborative spaces.
August 2020
UTSA achieves record enrollment with nearly 35,000 students, and for the first time in history, awards more than 7,400 degrees in an academic year.
September 2020
The Academic Success District opens as a centralized environment for student success resources.
September 2020
Local philanthropist Harvey E. Najim donates $3 million to establish the Najim Innovation and Career Advancement Center at UTSA.
October 2020
UTSA earns the prestigious Seal of Excelencia for its commitment and ability to accelerate Latino student success.
October 2020
The university conducts its first comprehensive Faculty and Staff Campus Climate Survey, kicking off a multi-year effort to make UTSA a great place to work.
March 2021
Carlos and Malú Alvarez give a transformational $20 million for College of Business endowed faculty positions and undergraduate research.
April 2021
UT Health San Antonio and UTSA develop a new health care partnership to leverage their combined capabilities, resources and expertise.
June 2021
UTSA receives a $40 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott inspired by the university’s efforts to advance Latino student success.
June 2021
The university engages with the community for the launch of the Institute of Texan Cultures Centennial 2068 visioning process.
August 2021
Guadalupe Hall opens to serve a growing freshman population's need for campus housing.
August 2021
The Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence opens, supporting student-athletes’ academic, health and wellness success.
September 2021
The College of Engineering and Integrated Design is launched to promote collaboration among students and faculty in engineering and architecture disciplines.
October 2021
As its national stature rises, UTSA announces it will jump to the American Athletic Conference in 2023.
December 2021
Margie and Bill Klesse make a $20 million gift for UTSA College of Engineering and Integrated Design student scholarships and faculty endowments.
December 2021
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges grants UTSA reaffirmation of accreditation until 2030.
February 2022
UTSA earns the Carnegie R1 Classification, adding the university to the nation’s top 4% of research institutions.
June 2022
UTSA becomes a founding member of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, advancing opportunities for Latino students and faculty.
June 2022
UTSA and UT Health San Antonio establish the joint University of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio.
July 2022
UTSA and the Southwest School of Art finalize their integration, propelling high-quality arts education in B.F.A. and community programs.
August 2022
Forbes names UTSA a top employer in Texas, landing the No. 5 spot out of the state’s 100 best employers.
October 2022
Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future launches with a $500 million fundraising goal.
November 2022
The UT System Board of Regents approves the new Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Careers building (San Pedro II), UTSA’s next phase of downtown development.
January 2023
U.S. News and World Report places UTSA Online in the top quarter of all online bachelor’s degree programs, making a dramatic jump from No. 246 in 2021 to No. 85 in 2023.
January 2023
UTSA opens San Pedro I, home to its National Security Collaboration Center and new School of Data Science, growing the city’s downtown tech corridor.
