Fall 2012 Dear Friends, CONTENTS executive editor CONNECT ONLINE Jude Valdez, Ph.D. Welcome to the inaugural issue of Find the online edition of Community Vice President for Community Services Community Connect, the magazine Connect at utsa.edu/communityconnect. managing editor Ashley Festa dedicated to telling the story of UTSA’s PICTURES & ChartS University Marketing involvement with our community. in partnership with 4 Travel back in time The Office of the Vice President for University Higher education in the United Advancement and University Marketing to the Wild West States has traditionally included a contributing writers threefold mission: teaching, research 24 Summer Session James Benavides Claire Jenkins and public service. At UTSA, public Robert Benchley Olivia Lopez 9 IED’s Snapshots of Amy Dalrymple Sherrie Voss Matthews service is a robust and dynamic Ashley Festa Rhonda Moses component of our work, engaging Excellence 2011 report Christi Fish Cindy Tumiel virtually all sectors of the community 33 Outreach Activity at UTSA, in economic development, lifelong Athletics engagement Community Services Departments learning, cultural enrichment and Ricardo Romo, Ph.D. Jude Valdez, Ph.D. Institute for Economic Development community-university partnerships. Robert McKinley, associate vice president For our economy, UTSA’s extension services, which reach more Departments Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) than 37,000 businesses every year, are critical to stimulate growth 10 Rudy Reyna, Ph.D., executive director and job creation for our graduates, elevating both labor supply and Institute of Texan Cultures Office of Community Outreach demand. Top-tier programs providing technical assistance, strate- ITC welcomes new executive director Belinda Saldaña, director 4 gic planning, training and applied economics research generated a Office of Extended Education 5 41st annual Texas Folklife Festival quarter of UTSA’s $1.2 billion economic impact on the state. Frank Salazar, director A Maverick’s Texas Institute of Texan Cultures For our children, UTSA works with schools to promote a 2 Students from Pasadena photograph their culture Institute for Economic Development Angelica Docog, executive director college-going culture and raise college awareness. UTSA also 8 SBDC model expands globally Office of P-20 Initiatives conducts bridge programs for thousands of area students to ease Rachel Ruiz, Ph.D., assistant vice president the transition from high school to college. Business Therapy 8 UTSA and Honduran university will 6 Shawn Fluitt finds success at the SBDC collaborate on new SBDCs UTSA Mexico Center For our society, the university offers learning and cultural Harriett Romo, Ph.D., director enrichment through the fine and performing arts and our museum, Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute Service Learning at UTSA Harriett Romo, Ph.D., director the Institute of Texan Cultures. UTSA also provides forums for Real Life Lessons New park benefits community and students public discussion of critical community issues. Pressing social, 10 Architecture students get hands-on experience with energy-efficient designs 11 civic and educational issues are addressed through this type 14 Students make community improvements Submit news, story ideas and comments to: of engagement. Getting Prepped 14 UTSA receives national honor for service Community Connect magazine For our future, faculty research and outreach scholarship pro- 16 PREP graduates find their passion in STEM fields 15 Student earns award for volunteerism Office of the Vice President for Community Services vide insight and possibilities for transforming our community. The University of Texas at San Antonio 501 W. César E. Chávez Blvd. This first issue of Community Connect highlights a slice of P-20 Initiatives San Antonio, TX 78207 UTSA’s community engagement activities. We hope you enjoy A Change in Environment 210-458-2401 18 Budding engineers conduct research for NASA 23 High school students learn research reading it, and we welcome your comments and suggestions for techniques in TRIO future issues. Building the Future Mexico Center For more information on outreach 20 8th graders construct cars while Parent Academy gets community talking 29 Student’s research project focuses on activities at UTSA, visit healthcare of undocumented immigrants utsa.edu/community Crossing Borders 30 Mexico partnerships benefit universities Ricardo Romo, Ph.D. Jude Valdez, Ph.D. 26 DREAMers participate in research aimed at changing public perspective on both sides of border President, The University of Texas at San Antonio Vice President for Community Services 31 Scholar network develops immigration book Community Connect is published annually by the Community Services division at The University of On the cover City of San Antonio Texas at San Antonio. The magazine is dedicated Dancers from Sarita’s Dance Studio performed at the 41st annual Texas Folklife to the mission of Community Services: extending 32 College of Public Policy joins SA2020 UTSA beyond its campuses and into San Antonio Festival at the Institute of Texan Cultures in June. Photo by Mark McClendon and South Texas through public service, outreach and community education.

©2012 The University of Texas at San Antonio

Community Connect 1 INTRODUCING INSTITUTE CONNECT ONLINE Pasadena Memorial High School students OF TEXAN have even more photos and drawings to A display in our slideshow. Visit utsa.edu/ CULTURES communityconnect. “Steps to Pride” (left) by Stephen Alcala The Institute of Texan Cultures “Reminiscent” (below) by Shawnna Hill encourages the understand- Maverick’s ing and appreciation of Texas High school and Texans through research, students present collections, exhibits and pro- Texas grams. A Smithsonian affiliate, snapshots of the museum strives to become the nation’s premier life in Pasadena institution of contemporary cultural and ethnic studies by Ashley Festa focusing on the diverse cultural communities that make Texas tudents from Pasadena, Texas, special guest to speak to students. He what it is. recently put their stories on dis- explained some essential photography S play; stories of culture, heritage techniques, such as the use of lighting As part of UTSA’s Tier One and life in Texas. when capturing a shot. aspirations, the institute offers Earlier this year, Pasadena Memo- “The kids didn’t know who he was, schoolteachers new, innovative rial High School became the first high but I knew who he was,” said Tish content while developing their school in Texas to display an exhibit at Eubanks, assistant principal at the skills in teaching social studies, UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures. high school. Originally from Alabama, “Carrots” by Sadie Burt “Violin” by Myrna Rodriguez history and related disciplines. The institute’s leadership wanted an Eubanks learned much about Texas and opportunity to pair students with Griff its history by reading Texas Highways. submissions, only 30 photos and 10 of a bunch of carrots, which was one of Smith, photo editor of Texas Highways, It wasn’t until the students visited their drawings were chosen to be included in Eubanks’ favorite images. The carrots where he has been a photographer exhibit and viewed the “Griff Smith’s the exhibit. were part of the last crop to be har- for more than a quarter century. The Texas: A Retrospective through the Lens Unlike Varela, some students were vested from Burt’s grandfather’s garden hope also was to include students from & Images from Texas Highways” that new to the photography world. Amy Tru- before he passed away. outside the San Antonio area to show a they realized Smith’s contribution to ong, 16 and a junior, submitted a photo In another photo, a violin represents wider view of Texas. Texas photography. for the fun of it. After being selected as Myrna Rodriguez’ heritage of Mexican Ashlie McKenzie, an education spe- Fernanda Varela, 18, submitted an one of the exhibitors, Truong wants to music. As a Mexican-American, she cialist at the museum, contacted Pasade- image of one of the Mavericks in her become more active in photography. “I’m plays mariachi music and in an orches- na Memorial where she formerly worked photo titled “High School Football.” For already taking more photos,” she said. tra. For her, the violin is a connection “High School Football” as an AP history teacher. her, the image represents Texas heat “My parents think it’s a great op- between those cultures, Eubanks said. by Fernanda Varela “We wanted them to be able to tell the and one of the state’s favorite sports. portunity for me,” she said, adding that “We don’t teach enough about what story of their town,” McKenzie said. “To “I’ve always been into photography,” the exhibit marked her first time visiting goes into making a Texan,” Eubanks show Texas through their eyes.” she said, but it became a passion for a university campus. She decided she said. “This gave our students an op- And show Texas they did. “I was just her during her senior year. As she grad- would like to attend college to pursue portunity to see what really goes into blown away with what students captured uated in the spring, the exhibit became art in some way. making a Texan. The students got to in their pictures,” McKenzie said. an exciting send-off, and she plans to A former art teacher, Eubanks learn that culture is about people. Named for the school’s athletics continue her education studying art, worked with the head of the art depart- “Culture is in the eye of the be- teams, “A Maverick’s Texas” was open photography and journalism. ment to select the best images. holder,” Eubanks said. “It’s carrots for CONNECT ONLINE from March 12 through June 17. “Not many people my age get to Some photos had special mean- one and a violin for another. These Find resources for multiple Before accepting student submis- have their photo displayed,” she said. ing for the young photographers. For kids deserve to know who they are and audiences at texancultures.com. sions, the school invited Smith as a That’s true. Out of hundreds of example, Sadie Burt submitted a photo where they come from.”

INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES 3 New tastes and sights at 41st Folklife

Several new groups showed off their wares, their cooking and their talents at this year’s Texas Folklife Festival, which just celebrated its 41st year at the Institute of Texan Cultures. About 50,000 people joined the festivities. Joining the festival for the first time, Ritmo Colombiano, a group of performers clad in Colombian costume, entertained the crowd with traditional New director dances from the South American coun- try. The dancers even got the audience leads museum up on its feet during the show. Festival-goers were able to sample As its name implies, the Institute of Texan Cul- Bangladeshi cooking for the first time, tures focuses on promoting the many cultures and at the Crêpe Crazy booth, guests of the people it serves. For the first time, the tasted delicate French pancake-like institute has a bicultural leader at the helm. snacks. Also new to the festival were This year, Angelica M. Docog became the two car displays – Volkswagens and executive director at the museum, bringing 14 vintage cars – as well as ballet per- years of museum experience to the position. San Antonio city slickers formers, a Brazilian display, a sculptor She came to San Antonio from the Charlotte and a harpist. Museum of History. go back to the Wild West Don’t miss next year’s celebration. “I’m entrusted with such a tremendous Mark your calendar now for the 42nd honor,” said Docog, who is also the first Trail bosses, pioneers and U.S. Cavalry soldiers visiting annual Texas Folklife Festival on June texas travels woman to lead the institute. “It’s daunting, from the 1800s descended on HemisFair Park this sum- (Clockwise from top) 7-9, 2013, at HemisFair Park. but exciting because I’ve seen the passion mer to show guests what it was like to work and play on Trey Duncan and his grand- —Ashley Festa people have for the ITC. the Texas frontier. mother Janet Nolte visit with junior docents and handle “My mother is Mexican, and my father is The Texas Trails and Tales summer season at the some of the tools used by Filipino. My father was in the Navy, so we had Institute of Texan Cultures invited the community to visit early Texas settlers. the opportunity to travel all over the world,” re-created period buildings and learn about the lives of Sun up to sun down she said. “My own ethnic background and the Texans who made these places their homes. Visitors try to guess why a barn being a military dependant pretty much paved Costumed junior docents led guests through the was vital to a pioneer family. the way for my future career in museums and daily lives of early settlers of the Wild West, making (Hint: It housed their tools and farming implements, livestock interest in the preservation and interpretation stops at the one-room schoolhouse, frontier fort, and work animals.) The barn at of cultures.” adobe house, log house and barn. Each stop offered the Back 40 is of typical German “As a scholar and museum professional a demonstration; inside the one-room school house, construction, indicative of the Texas Hill Country. with a proven track record of success, Ms. for example, junior docents showed students a typical Docog is the optimal choice to lead the Insti- school day, with slate board writing and reading aloud Playtime on the frontier Some of the Texas Trails and tute of Texan Cultures in its mission to serve from a primer. Tales volunteers enjoyed Dances from Colombia Dancers from Ritmo the community and provide access to unique In addition to the frontier’s Spanish settlers, the United schoolyard games. Hoop- Colombiano got the audience up on its feet during learning opportunities, as UTSA transforms States Army built forts to house infantry and cavalry units rolling races were a popular their performance at the Texas Folklife Festival. into a Tier One research institution,” said commonly known as the Buffalo Soldiers. At the Back 40’s children’s activity. Jude Valdez, UTSA vice president for Com- frontier fort, guests learned map reading and flag etiquette Household chores CONNECT ONLINE munity Services. skills and they heard stories about life in the regiment. Visitors glimpse into the home Experience the Texas Folklife Festival all over again in life of early settlers. the photo slideshow. Visit utsa.edu/communityconnect. — Ashley Festa —James Benavides

4 INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES 5 Better business sense Shawn Fluitt INTRODUCING and his wife, Donna, saw their business flourish with assistance from the UTSA INSTITUTE FOR Small Business Development Center. The challenge for ECONOMIC program. “The problem is, you can go Eagle Ford Shale out of business just as quickly when you DEVELOPMENT are growing. You have to manage your Shawn Fluitt is far from being the only growth; you can’t let it manage you.” business owner to benefit—now or For more than 30 years, UTSA’s For Fluitt, the program and his ongo- in the years to come—from the Eagle Institute for Economic Develop- ing relationship with Sifuentes have paid Ford Shale play. Long term, hundreds, ment has been dedicated to off in a big way. “Taking that course is the maybe thousands, of companies will creating jobs, growing busi- best thing I’ve ever done,” he said. “Eagle find opportunity in the massive oil nesses and fostering eco- Ford was just starting to be developed, and gas discovery. A study released in and the timing was perfect. Our business May by the Center for Community and nomic development. With its has skyrocketed; we’re probably up 300 Business Research at UTSA’s Institute 13 centers and programs, the percent, and we’re still growing.” for Economic Development reported institute serves clients at all And as his business has grown, that, “In 2011 alone, the play generated levels: from the entrepreneur Fluitt added more employees, creating over $25 billion in revenue, supported who is just starting a business, jobs for about 150 people at Timekeep- 47,000 full-time jobs in the area and to the experienced business ers. At a second company he spun off provided $257 million in local govern- called Tier One Security Management, ment revenue.” owner looking for new markets, he has about 180 contractors, up from But Eagle Ford is just getting to communities seeking to only 45 in 2009. started, said Gil Gonzalez, director of improve economic health. But, as Sifuentes noted, the most the institute’s Rural Business Program, said. “We touch almost every piece of the important takeaway for Fluitt has been with the latest projections being $90 As Texans increasingly seek oil and gas business—drilling, comple- learning to manage that growth. “Our billion in revenues through 2021, creat- expert advice in starting tion, fracking, pipeline—but in 2009, I world changes about once a week,” ing 117,000 new jobs. and growing businesses, the wasn’t sure which way we were headed. Fluitt said. “A customer will come up “It’s a game-changer for a lot of institute continues to expand Oil and gas prices were down. So were with a new requirement. Insurance will communities,” Gonzalez said, “but it Business our revenues, by about 30 percent.” throw us a curve ball. When someone also brings challenges, such as the its client base. Every year, the Fluitt had a plan, though. The year be- asks for something different, we say social impact, and housing and em- IED helps its business clients fore, the Eagle Ford Shale—an oil and gas yes and then figure out how to get it ployment considerations. Much of the increase net sales, contracts play of historic proportions—had been dis- done. I just got into the equipment development is in rural areas and small and exports by millions of dol- Therapy covered, and it promised unprecedented rental business this morning that way. towns. They’re overwhelmed because lars. IED programs serve San opportunities for business in South Texas. We’ve moved into new offices twice and there isn’t the infrastructure that you Antonio and the Texas-Mexico Security firm owner develops plan Fluitt wanted to get his company in on the changed banks two or three times.” find in an urban area.” border area as well as regional, action, but he knew he wasn’t prepared to Fluitt’s wife, Donna (he calls her “the The institute is trying to help com- for growth thanks to expert advice manage the growth that would come when boss’s boss”), still helps out in the office, munities learn to plan. That means national and international Eagle Ford started to take off. Then he but today there are eight full-time people focusing on business development, stakeholders. by Robert S. Benchley describing his dreams or talking about heard about the SBDC’s Building Business working there. “Before, it was just me community development and work force his childhood, Fluitt often has sessions Excellence program, and he decided to driving around in my pickup,” Fluitt said. development at the same time. hawn Fluitt offers up a big South while driving his pickup truck, with sign up. “I’ve put two of my guys through the same “In an urban center, they can happen Texas laugh when he describes Sifuentes riding shotgun. Fluitt takes The program, which held classes program; I thought it was that valuable. independently, but in a rural setting, S his relationship with Richard Si- Sifuentes to every important meeting twice a week for four months, was a real Now when Richard comes out to the of- the steps to those efforts have to be co- fuentes, assistant director of UTSA’s Small he has—bankers, insurance brokers, eye-opener. “People in very different fice, he spends time with them, as well as ordinated,” he said. “If we can capture Business Development Center (SBDC). “I you name it—and the two talk about businesses from mine were talking about with Donna and me.” the windfall Eagle Ford will bring to this CONNECT ONLINE tell everyone he’s my therapist,” he said. everything from managing payroll and forecasting five years out,” Fluitt said. The most valuable change, Fluitt area and gain sustainability, then when Register for workshops, online It isn’t far from the truth. Fluitt, own- retaining good employees to customer “For me, six months was a miracle.” said, is that he has learned how to run things come to a close someday, the courses, one-on-one advising er of Timekeepers, a private security service and work-life balance. “The program is for companies that his business like … well, like a business. communities and businesses in the area and more at the Small Business firm, and Sifuentes have met roughly For Fluitt, the relationship has meant are really ready to commit to going to “Heck,” he said, laughing again, “now can continue on, not just bust.” Development Center’s website. every other week since October 2009. everything to his company’s growth. “I the next level,” said Sifuentes, who we have a process for things we never — Robert Benchley Visit sasbdc.org. But instead of lying back on a couch started Timekeepers back in 1996,” he became Fluitt’s advisor as part of the knew we needed a process for.”

INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 7 San Antonio’s opportunities Snapshots of Excellence expand with SERVICE RESULTS, 2011 ECONOMIC IMPACT RESULTS, 2011 As one of the top-performing pilot program university-based economic UTSA’S Institute of Economic Development UTSA’S Institute of Economic Development development centers in the 37,806 2,660 To boost trade growth in San Antonio country, the UTSA Institute for TOTAL SERVED JOBS CREATED and economic development in Hondu- Economic Development is proud 22,442 4,874 ras, UTSA hosted a training program to share its recent accomplish- TRAINING PARTICIPANTS JOBS RETAINED to transfer its Small Business Devel- ments and contributions to the opment Center model to that Central community. The following are 8,130 472 Clients Counseled NEW BUSINESS STARTS American country. achievements from 2011, the A team from UTSA’s International most recent year for which com- 73,756 425 CONSULTING HOURS BUSINESS EXPANSIONS Trade Center completed a four-month plete results are available. SBDC Diplomado training program $197,185,874 in July, and as a result, the Honduras SERVICE PROJECTS EXPANDING LOCATIONS CAPITAL ACCESS secretary of industry and commerce $675,283,111 announced the establishment of the first Energy Saving Solutions The institute is branching out into new offices sales/contracts/exports two pilot SBDCs in the Golfo de Fonseca The institute pioneered an Energy locally and globally to accommodate growing Saving Solutions program to help businesses. $28,356,289 and Olancho regions. Six regional SBDCs TAX REVENUE GENERATED small businesses improve their are expected to open across the country bottom line. In collaboration with by year’s end. UTSA’s College of Architecture, 44 “Small business trade growth is audits have been conducted to SBDC Rural Business Program in Carrizo Springs the low-hanging fruit for economic date in a variety of businesses to reduce costs, improve competitive- An extension office in Carrizo Jude Valdez, UTSA vice president for Community Ser- development at home and abroad,” said International collaboration ness and save energy. Springs will better serve vices (left), signs an agreement with Rector Carlos Avila Molina of Universidad Jose Cecilio Robert McKinley, UTSA associate vice the needs of entrepreneurs Southwest Trade del Valle. The universities will create business training programs in Honduras. Rural Business Conference president for economic development. starting businesses related Adjustment Assistance As part of its work in the Eagle Ford to the burgeoning Eagle Ford Center in Louisiana “UTSA’s global presence and leader- Shale area, the Rural Business Shale oil and gas play. A Houma, La., office will help ship fulfills our mission of community Program held its 2nd Rural Business small businesses recover Universities’ partnership will service and creates job opportunities Challenge Conference. from the 2010 Deepwater for our graduates by expanding the San Experiential Learning Activities Horizon Gulf oil spill. develop SBDCs in Honduras Antonio regional economy.” Institute for Economic Develop- As part of President Obama’s Small ment programs provided more than The UTSA Institute for Economic Devel- university in Honduras,” said Robert Business Network of the Americas 100 students with service-learning New suites at Washington opportunities in which students Place on Downtown Campus opment has signed a new international McKinley, director of the UTSA Institute initiative, the State Department asked earn valuable practical experience agreement to expand the institute’s for Economic Development. “One of UTSA to help establish SBDC networks Space at 215 S. San Saba that also benefits the institute’s accommodates the institute’s growing presence in Central America. their priorities is preparing their gradu- in developing countries across Latin business clients. staff and programs. The new offices The agreement allows UTSA and ates to become active in helping create America and the Caribbean. Building house the expansion of the SBDC

Universidad Jose Cecilio del Valle in small businesses.” SBDC networks internationally will Procurement Technical Assistance TOP RANKING Center, which advises businesses Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to begin de- Molina, a former Honduran Min- expand trade growth opportunities interested in growing their market veloping certificate training programs ister of Education, wants to eliminate among all SBDC clients, whether in the The Minority Busi- with public contracting opportunities. SBDC models in and a Small Business Development his country’s “brain drain” of highly United States or international. ness Development Classroom training complements Latin America those offerings. Agency (MBDA) Center project modeled on similar SBDC educated Hondurans leaving the Last year, the UTSA International SBDC in New Braunfels The institute is expanding the programs in the United States. country for opportunities elsewhere. He Trade Center helped San Antonio-area Business Cen- SBDC model in Latin America, ter, formerly the Office will serve strengthening partnerships entrepreneurs and UTSA Vice President for Community wants to use the Institute of Economic clients add $210 million in new trade Minority Business in Mexico, Colombia and El Services Jude Valdez signed the agree- Development as a model for a similar growth, primarily through partner small-business owners Salvador, and starting new Enterprise Center, achieved a in Seguin and ment with Rector Carlos Avila Molina of organization that could be developed agencies in Mexico, El Salvador and No. 1 ranking in the nation for projects in Dominican Republic, New Braunfels. Honduras, Costa Rica Highest Total Procurement Dollars the Universidad Jose Cecilio del Valle. across Honduras. Colombia. and Panama. Secured from the U.S. Department “It is known as the entrepreneurial — Sherrie Voss Matthews — Amy Dalrymple of Commerce.

8 INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 9 INTRODUCING BREAKING GROUND Community members gathered to celebrate the June 1 groundbreak- ing of the new public park at Sky Harbour Elementary School in Southwest San Antonio. Victoria Gaeta (from left), Irene Rodriguez, Brenda Patrick, and Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft (par- SERVICE tially hidden), all from the Southwest Independent School District; Dr. John Murphy, dean of the College of Architecture; Councilman Reed Williams; and Councilman Rey Saldana LEARNING helped officially begin construction. AT UTSA

Experiential learning and service-related community engagement projects provide UTSA students with the op- portunity to put their classroom lessons into practice. More than volunteerism, service learning allows students to gain skills relevant to their chosen fields of study while demonstrating how those skills can strengthen their communities.

The Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, home of service-learning at UTSA, sup- RECYCLED STEEL Architecture students used steel shipping containers to design one of their ports faculty, students and com- energy-efficient options for San Antonio Alternative Housing. munity partners by providing practices while it added to the supply of New park offers wellness opportunities training, resources and match- affordable rental housing in an inner city ing students with placements San Antonio neighborhood. for community, experience for students A dozen graduate students have in the community. Students spent the past two years working with UTSA’s architecture students can now room learning to the real world by host- have opportunities to learn San Antonio Alternative Housing Corp., include the design of a new Southwest ing neighborhood discussion groups from community leaders and Real Life a West Side San Antonio community Side community park on their profes- to determine what types of facilities practitioners, and projects can agency, to erect three experimental sional résumés. should be included in the new park. help students clarify their career rental houses that will answer some This summer, the UTSA College of “I think we were able to relate and goals. questions about the future role of Architecture collaborated with the non- get a real feeling of the community by Lessons energy-efficient building materials in profit San Antonio Sports on a new city interacting with them on such a personal affordable housing. project that has seen success in Hous- level,” said Britta Moe, a master of archi- Architecture students put theories “It is community outreach that adds ton: the SPARK School Park Program. tecture student. new rental housing to a redeveloping The project aims to transform unused Then students used their skills to into practice to benefit community neighborhood,” said Taeg Nishimoto, areas on school property into publicly design the park, and with professional associate dean for research, outreach and accessible parks to promote health and architecture and landscape architecture by Cindy Tumiel How much energy do these types of houses graduate studies at the College of Archi- wellness in the community. firms – Marmon Mok and Bury+Partners – use, and do lower gas and electric bills offset tecture. “But it also includes the bigger “The College of Architecture has made the designs plausible with regard to erhaps one day, all new houses the potentially higher cost of construction for concepts of research and creative activity.” been the backbone of making this park topography and drainage. will be built of energy-conserving a family with a modest income? Nishimoto’s students designed three program possible,” said Susan Black- “It was a really amazing experience P materials like aerated blocks, Students and faculty from UTSA’s Col- experimental houses that include ener- wood, executive director of San Antonio to see our initial schematic designs insulated panels or recycled steel. lege of Architecture are working on answers gy-conserving features such as sprayed Sports. “I’m so appreciative of their transformed into real-life plans,” Moe CONNECT ONLINE For now, though, architects, builders and to that puzzle, thanks to a community foam insulation, attic fans and solar willingness to jump right in. It’s been a said. “Not only were we able to receive Learn more about service learning energy specialists are still learning about the service project that offered students hands- lot of fun to watch the students work.” at UTSA at utsa.edu/ice. practicality of using such building materials. on experience working with green building Continued on next page COA students brought their class- Continued on page 13

Service Learning at UTSA 11 project manager for all four houses. CONTINUED “The city inspectors are excited to community park see these alternative ideas for build- CONNECT Online ings, but at the same time, they are not the hands-on training we need in the More on Facebook: Watch the entire just going to give you a permit,” James field, but we were able to contribute and construction process through photos. Visit utsa.edu/communityconnect. said. “We had to demonstrate this was a give back to the community. It was all viable idea.” very rewarding.” Under construction At right, workers Construction began in early 2012 “They were passionate about the put the final touches on an energy-efficient with a budget of $68,250 for each work because they know they’re making a house designed by students from the house. Students negotiated with some meaningful contribution to San Antonio,” College of Architecture. Below, an artist’s rendering of the completed houses reveals suppliers for discounted and donated Blackwood said. “It’s a fantastic way to the students’ vision. materials, which helped the contractor reach the community.” with budget restraints. Construction began at the first park The final cost for each house was June 1 with a groundbreaking ceremony $72,500, which included items like fencing, at Sky Harbour Elementary School in the sheds, engineering and environmental Southwest Independent School District. work performed for the container home, “What SPARK provides is a unique said Greg Cooper, construction manager situation in which our graduate students for San Antonio Alternative Housing. are involved in the development of the The project wrapped up in the program with people from the school summer months with the application and community, which isn’t available in a of brightly hued exterior paint – red- classroom environment,” said Taeg Nishi- orange, blue-gray and vibrant green. moto, COA’s associate dean for research, “These are houses that fit in with the outreach and graduate studies, who character of the neighborhood,” Cloudt helped coordinate the project. said. “They are happy houses.” “It is a great experiential learning As families move into the new houses, opportunity for our students to work as CONTINUED families it serves. ect had been demolished in a federally different exterior materials into their the second phase of the project begins. a team with real people from the com- theories into practice The project was conceived several supported renovation effort, Radle also house designs. One was designed with Sensors will collect data on the renters’ munity,” he said. years ago when Nishimoto met Rod Radle, had a location to build the new rentals. autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, use of energy, and over the next few — Ashley Festa water heaters. The exteriors are made now-retired executive director of San The nonprofit built one traditional which are manufactured with a process years, UTSA architecture students will be of three different materials: autoclaved Antonio Alternative Housing, through Mis- wood-frame house, and Radle put Nishi- that blows insulating air into the blocks. able to study which of the construction aerated concrete blocks, prefabricated sion Verde, a regional collaboration that moto and the architecture students in A second design used prefabricated types is most energy efficient. The results insulated panels and recycled steel works to test and improve eco-friendly charge of designing the other three with wood and foam insulated panels. The could help define the future of green shipping containers. technologies in buildings. the same energy features, but using third used three tractor-trailer-size technologies in affordable housing. A fourth house, designed by a pro- “We both wanted to get involved alternative exterior “skins.” metal shipping containers, which were “The real success is not seeing the fessional architectural firm, is traditional with bringing in university students to Students divided into three teams, cut and assembled on the site to form buildings done,” Nishimoto said. “The wood-frame construction, but has the do educational projects in the neighbor- each taking one house. They designed the exterior. Students then designed an real success of this project is how the same energy-efficient interior features hood, and [Nishimoto] suggested devel- one floor plan with three bedrooms, two interior wood frame for insulation, wall next step unfolds from here.” as the test houses. oping a project to test energy-efficient bathrooms and 1,050 square feet. board and other indoor necessities. For the students, the project offered All four houses contain energy-moni- materials in some affordable housing,” “We researched energy-efficient Because the materials are not typi- the chance to test how different environ- toring sensors to allow UTSA students to Radle said. alternative building materials,” said cally used in home construction, part of mentally friendly alternatives would collect data on utility usage during the In 2011, Radle secured funding master of architecture student Clare the learning process for students was perform in affordable housing. next few years. San Antonio Alterna- through the Texas Department of Hous- Cloudt, who’s leading the effort to earning approval from city authorities “Nishimoto wanted us to be active tive Housing, a 20-year-old nonprofit ing and Community Affairs’ Neighbor- monitor energy use after construction. for the building permits, said Joel James in the community while gaining real- that provides affordable housing and hood Stabilization Program to build “A lot of energy-efficient technology M.Arch. ’11. He started working on the world experience with architectural support services for low- and moderate- four rental homes. Because the nonprof- can really help the monthly budgets of designs as a UTSA student, and after projects,” Cloudt said. “This was a Giving back Susan Blackwood, executive director of San Antonio Sports, accepts income communities, owns the houses it owns some lots on Guadalupe Ybarra these families.” graduation, he was hired by general project that helped us accomplish both a donation from Toyota to go toward the and will use them as rental units for the Street where an old public housing proj- The students incorporated three contractor Camilo Garcia Inc. as the those goals.” SPARK program.

12 Service Learning at UTSA Service Learning at UTSA 13 activity and love it. … Service is an act University is Student earns of the heart.” The award honors an outstanding honored for award for her student for time, effort and personal commitment to volunteerism and com- service efforts dedication to munity enhancement. As someone who embodies the true spirit and UTSA showed off its recent report card volunteerism UTSA mission of civic engagement and with pride because the university has volunteerism, Oyeteju also received the been listed on the 2012 national honor “Service is an act of the heart.” $500 Sandra Cisneros Scholarship that roll for its community service efforts And it’s because Janet Oyeteju has accompanies the award. throughout San Antonio. such a big heart for service that she was “I think that the work we do for oth- The Corporation for National and named the 2011-12 Student Volunteer ers, without ego, without expectations of Community Service (CNCS) and the of the Year by the UTSA Inclusion and return, is the highest work we can do as U.S. Department of Education recently Community Engagement Center. spiritual beings,” Cisneros said. “I was honored UTSA, among other universi- As a freshman, Oyeteju volunteered surprised and honored when UTSA cre- for the Love of service Senior Janet ties, for its commitment to improving for one activity as a way to meet people. Oyeteju earned the Student Volunteer of the ated this scholarship bearing my name. I the community through service and Soon, she joined VOICES, a student Year award for her service work. asked that the scholarship go to someone service-learning. Noted were its efforts service group at UTSA. She became an who understands this generosity of spirit. in mentoring, college access and out- officer, and also joined Women of Honor, “I liked how we had a part in helping In my own lifetime, I have been blessed reach, economic outreach and develop- a group working to discredit stereotypes families have their first house. I liked be- with rewards when I have worked on ment, wide-ranging volunteerism, and of minority women. Now as a senior, ing part of the family history and putting behalf of others with humility. I think the service-learning efforts. she’s the vice president of alternative life into the house,” she said. rewards of volunteering are greater than “Through service, these institu- spring break, and she has logged count- Oyeteju also coordinated the first fame or fortune.” tions are creating the next generation less hours of service at a variety of San Extreme Makeover UTSA event, which “Many students logged lots of hours of leaders by challenging students to Antonio-area nonprofit organizations. brought together more than 250 stu- of community service, but Janet gave tackle tough issues and create positive “My favorite aspect of volunteering is dents working on projects to beautify really thoughtful answers about why impacts in the community,” said Robert the impact it has on an organization and the university campus. “The purpose she volunteers, the impact service has Velasco, acting CEO of CNCS. “We the community in general,” Oyeteju said. of the event was to make students feel on the community and the impact it has Service with a purpose UTSA student volunteers helped complete painting projects applaud the honor roll schools, their “It makes me feel good to make them proud to go here,” she said. on her peers,” said Jennifer Rames, as- for Catholic Charities during the eighth annual United to Serve day of service. faculty and students for their commit- smile, even for a moment.” In her application for the award, sociate director of service learning. Ra- ment to make service a priority in and Originally from Houston, Oyeteju Oyeteju wrote, “I encourage friends to mes added that Oyeteju’s leadership in out of the classroom.” dedicated Fridays and Saturdays to her start by doing projects with things they the Extreme Makeover event also made Hundreds of Roadrunners help “Preparing students to participate in volunteer projects. One of her favorites like. Their love for service will grow, her stand out from other applicants. our democracy and providing them with is working with Habitat for Humanity. and then they can do any volunteer — Ashley Festa make community a better place opportunities to take on local and global issues in their course work are as central Take 400 Roadrunners, 25 student paint the Immigration Services Build- to the mission of education as boost- groups and 17 service projects, add them ing. “They made our building look ing college completion and closing the all together, and you’ll come up with a beautiful,” he said. achievement gap,” said Eduardo Ochoa, whole lot of smiles around San Antonio. “Without our volunteers, it would U.S. Department of Education assistant The eighth annual United to Serve be nearly impossible to make the Walk secretary for postsecondary educa- event is a UTSA tradition and UT for Autism such a great success,” said tion. “The honor roll schools should be system-wide initiative to mobilize vol- Stephanie Jerger, of Any Baby Can. proud of their work to elevate the role of In honor of National San Antonio Mentoring Forum Summit San Antonio Mentoring unteers in their communities. In April, “The volunteers at Boysville were service-learning on their campuses.” Mentoring Month, mentoring Forum Summit is hosted students volunteered their time with really dedicated to improving and The President’s Higher Education professionals and advocates Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 by the UTSA Office of nonprofit projects such as staffing for beautifying the grounds,” said Cristina Community Service Honor Roll recog- from across Texas are invited 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. P-20 Initiatives. to share best practices, Any Baby Can at the annual Walk for Dominguez, UTSA graduate assistant for nizes higher education institutions that UTSA Downtown Campus Visit utsa.edu/mentoring program successes and the Autism, landscaping for Boysville Inc., volunteer services at the UTSA Inclusion reflect the values of exemplary com- Mentoring Recognition for more information. latest news in mentoring. and painting at Catholic Charities. and Community Engagement Center. “It munity service and achieve meaningful Awards Luncheon to follow Rene Amaya, of Catholic Charities, was clear they were having fun.” outcomes in their communities. appreciated the students who helped — Ashley Festa — University Communications

14 Service Learning at UTSA Service Learning at UTSA 15 INTRODUCING CONNECT Online PREFRESHMAN Apply online between Nov. 1, 2012, and Jan. 31, 2013, to be part of next year’s program. Sign up for PREP online at ENGINEERING www.prep-usa.org/portal/saprep. PROGRAM Getting Team work PREP grad Marisa Martinez Palmer (at left) now manages a team of six at San Antonio Water System where she The Prefreshman Engineering enjoys problem solving and opportunities Program (PREP) is a statewide for teamwork. project founded by Dr. Manuel Prepped Berriozábal in 1979. Through the curriculum, middle and high school students are intro- Prefreshman Engineering duced to academic activities Program readies students in science and engineering in preparation for following for careers in STEM fields related studies throughout by Ashley Festa Marisa Martinez Palmer Jessica Perez their education. The program at UTSA, under the direction of ometimes all it takes is a little the work was eye-opening.” She became others in the program. cially exciting for her, helping her realize Rudy A. Reyna, Ph.D., encour- push in the right direction for a the first in her family to attend college “It’s critical for engineers,” said her enthusiasm for that field. ages underrepresented popu- S bright student to find the right path. and the only one of her siblings to earn a Palmer, who leads a team of six. “Many “I felt like I could do a lot more,” Perez The survey says... lation groups in those career The Prefreshman Engineering Program, college degree. She was also the only one like to work by themselves, and it’s said. “You got to see things before you fields. or PREP, offered at UTSA is designed to be to attend PREP. important to learn to work in groups.” took [those classes] in school. It gave me In the 2011 annual survey of PREP graduates, that push, and the path leads to careers Already a strong student, Palmer Echoing that sentiment is another an advantage and potentially helped me 5,080 respondents revealed these facts: In 2011, PREP enrolled 1,344 in science, technology, engineering or was encouraged to apply to the PREP grad, Jessica Perez, who is working get better grades.” students. More than half were mathematics, known as STEM fields. PREP program in sixth grade because of toward her doctorate in biological and She had always enjoyed research female, and 71 percent were motivates and prepares middle and high her advanced math skills. During her chemical engineering at Northwestern and study, and PREP introduced her to 99% school students for success in one of these summers at PREP, she honed that ability University after earning a bachelor’s in like-minded students. “I met people like graduate from high school members of minority groups STEM career fields during four intensive and developed an interest in science biological engineering at MIT. Though me,” she said. “They are really intense traditionally underrepresented summer sessions. PREP especially encour- and engineering. working in groups sometimes led to tak- and curious about learning.” in STEM fields. ages minority students and women, who “I listened to accomplished and in- ing on much of the responsibility alone, In fact, Perez and some of her PREP 98% traditionally have been underrepresented spirational speakers in engineering and Perez found the experience important classmates decided to create a robotic go on to being college students in STEM professions. science from our community; I took col- to developing leadership skills. Now in suit and begin their own company in their Adding to the number of PREP success lege preparatory practice exams, visited graduate school, she regularly puts those spare time outside of courses. Though stories are two native San Antonio women other college campuses, and took field teamwork skills to good use while collect- their entrepreneurial plans never came to who discovered their passion for engi- trips to places like NASA,” she said. ing research with other students. fruition, Perez’ sense of belonging with 73% of the college students are neering after participating in the program. At SAWS, Palmer is able to solve As a Sul Ross Middle School the other students was strong. Not only members of a minority group Marisa Martinez Palmer, who is real-world problems with her engineering student, Perez told her father about did she feel like she was part of some- now a supervising engineer at San background. “The work I do now fasci- PREP after learning about it from her thing special, she also had discovered Antonio Water System, found that be- nates me,” she said. “I know what it takes teachers. He never completed a college how to do research on her own, beyond ing exposed to college-level courses to treat wastewater. Lots of people take it degree, but wanted his daughter to at- the classroom. 90% of the college students graduate and becoming familiar with a college for granted.” tend college one day, so he encouraged “PREP helps you find where you fit campus during her middle school years Though she loved the problem- her to apply for the program. into the science world,” Perez said. gave her a new perspective. solving challenges, she found the team- Already interested in biology, Perez Palmer agreed. “It prepared me CONNECT ONLINE “It planted a seed, and I realized: I can building skills to be the most valuable was exposed to more in-depth science academically and allowed me to gain the 44% Find out more about the go to college,” said Palmer, who became asset she gained in PREP. From working study, which helped her develop her confidence and perseverance to enter the of the college graduates are science, San Antonio Prefreshman valedictorian of her graduating class at together on projects to collaborating on talents. The hands-on experiences, college environment and succeed,” she mathematics or engineering majors Engineering Program and Lanier High School in downtown San homework assignments, students had such as building a miniature bridge in said. “PREP was a life changing experi- apply at prep-usa.org. Antonio. “Seeing that you were able to do frequent opportunities to learn from an engineering competition, were espe- ence for me.”

Prefreshman Engineering Program 17 “This was an opportunity INTRODUCING and San Pedro Creek. Armed with video that I needed to take.” field. Some even decided they would cameras and iPads, students recorded like to study environmental engineering, Réne Landero evidence of environmental changes and rather than other concentrations they THE OFFICE mechanical engineering student discussed classroom lessons with their had intended to pursue. OF P-20 instructors and tour guide during the One group’s video project, titled Ex- interactive session at the park. tended Forecast: 100 Years, used footage INITIATIVES “We know more about climate change Because NASA funded the program, students captured at Confluence Park and A Change of in depth,” said Valentin Tinajero, who is students were invited to visit the Johnson focused on how environmental engineers With its mission “College studying petroleum engineering. “We Space Center in Houston. In addition work with nature rather than against it. Completion is Possible,” the Of- know more behind-the-scenes stuff, what to receiving exclusive visitor access, “It was out of my comfort zone,” admit- fice of P-20 Initiatives is aligned the real cause was rather than just the students also learned about professional ted Christopher Naville, who is focused on with the Texas Higher Educa- Environment human cause.” research opportunities for engineers, mechanical engineering, but he said it was tion Coordinating Board’s plan Civil engineering lecturer John Joseph, highlighting the practical side of complet- interesting to study something new. who taught the classroom portion of the ing their projects for TATE. “I’m having a lot of fun,” said Dora to increase the college-going Future engineers program, briefed students on some of Next year, Kulhanek expects an Hernandez, a civil engineering student rate of Texans over the next the environmental systems of waterways, additional 25 students from the Rio recruited by UTSA for the program. decade. Outreach programs are build a bridge such as how oxygen is dissolved naturally Grande Valley to participate, and he al- For some students, TATE was also a designed to increase college from community into river water by rocks. Throughout the ready has new ideas on how to stream- chance to change course. René Landero awareness and career readi- tour, a guide brought attention to the ar- line the program for its second year. was working at a restaurant when he ness among the students and college to UTSA ea’s indigenous vegetation, artistic details Despite its youth, TATE is already met Kulhanek, who was enthusiastic of the river’s built environment, and other having an effect. During their video that he join the program. “This was an parents it serves. Hands-on details of interest to future engineers. presentations, many students affirmed opportunity that I needed to take,” the field experiences and commu- by Ashley Festa Afterward, students learned to sto- they want to continue in the engineering mechanical engineering student said. nity outreach projects com- ryboard their videos and worked with bined with rigorous coursework n a breezy, overcast June other multimedia aspects of creating and experiences at UTSA and morning at Confluence Park in a webcast for a layman audience, said other post-secondary edu- O San Antonio, a group of Alamo Joseph Kulhanek, director of the TATE Colleges students gathered to complete program. Students eventually turned cational institutions achieve their final research project as part of over their research projects to NASA. these goals. Partnerships with UTSA’s engineering transfer program. “I really liked all the new technol- community organizations and The Transfer Academy for Tomorrow’s ogy we were introduced to,” said Storm businesses help strengthen Engineers, or TATE, provides students a Graybill, a civil engineering student. the quality of education in San bridge from the city’s community colleges In addition to the hands-on com- Antonio and South Texas from to a four-year degree program at UTSA. ponent of the program, students were The partnership was designed primarily expected to hone their writing skills. Lind- kindergarten through post- to serve first-generation students and say Ratcliffe, of UTSA’s writing program, secondary education, including help ensure their academic success as worked with students on their 25-page two-year colleges, four-year engineering majors. technical papers. She taught them the universities, and graduate and Captured on video One of the TATE This summer marked the launch of technical aspects of writing a report, professional schools. participants uses an iPad to record his the NASA-funded program, which has called “scientific prose,” she said. As part observations at Confluence Park for the been in planning stages for several of daily assignments, Ratcliffe also asked program’s final research project on envi- ronmental and climate change. years. The first cohort of 21 students students to write a journal prompted by studied climate at the local level, a lecture or field excursion, stressing the CONNECT online researched a specific aspect of climate importance of writing every day. Check out what TATE students were up change, and for their presentations, ap- “It was important to the engineer- to this summer. Some of the completed plied their findings to the global level. ing professors that there was a writing video projects are available online. Visit After two weeks of classroom teach- professor involved,” she said. utsa.edu/communityconnect. ing on the science of climate change, Learning to work effectively in groups, CONNECT ONLINE students and their professors visited Ratcliffe said, was also an important For more information about Confluence Park to observe effects component, one to which the students UTSA’s P-20 Initiatives, visit the of civil engineering decisions at the caught on successfully. “These students MORE THAN SCENERY The group’s tour guide points out indigenous vegetation, the river’s website at p20.utsa.edu. convergence of the San Antonio River are motivated, sharp.” built environment and other factors that could influence climate change.

P-20 Initiatives 19 WE GET AROUND In an effort to uphold its mission of “taking the message directly to the neighborhood,” the Office of P-20 Initiatives provides participants in the College and Career Readiness Parent Academy access to the UTSA Mobile Go Center, a sophisticated 42-foot traveling classroom. The Mobile Go Center (pictured be- low) visits many locations throughout the year to provide parents of SAISD schoolchildren access to computer workstations in their own communities. Because much of the academy program is web-based, parents must be able to use online resources. The Mobile Go Center provides access to computers and technical assistance, allowing parents to become comfortable with the equipment.

STEADY NOW GEAR UP students delicately construct their solar-powered car, hoping for victory in the day’s final races.

Awareness and Readiness for Under- graduate Programs, a federal grant Parent Academy gets neighbors given to the San Antonio Indepen- Community dent School District, provides at-risk talking about schools, community students early exposure to concepts in Big changes begin with a conversation. they need to do.” preparedness science, technology, engineering and And it’s with simple conversations Simply by listening, Kulhanek said he’s Building mathematics, or STEM, fields and helps that UTSA has begun a grassroots effort able to address concerns, raise aware- In fall 2011, the San Antonio Independent promote a college-going population to instill a sense of personal responsibil- ness, and develop solutions. He hopes School District began providing college among low-income families. The first ity in improving local neighborhoods attendees will then spread the message to readiness services to all its seventh grade GEAR UP program, held last summer, around San Antonio, especially those a wider circle as they share the conversa- students as part of a federal grant called the Future focused on leadership. areas that are consistently plagued with tion with their friends and neighbors. GEAR UP. As a partner in the project and “We’re teaching kids about college crime and drugs. He stressed the need to help par- to support its mission of “taking the Engineering workshop promotes early and engineering,” Donzis said of this To begin the dialogue, Joseph ticipants understand that by solving message directly to the neighborhood,” awareness and readiness for college summer’s focus. “We explain: This is Kulhanek, director of P-20 Programs de- problems within the community, schools the UTSA Office of P-20 Initiatives launched why you should go to college.” veloped the College and Career Readi- will be improved as a result. Part of the two programs. For parents, the College by Ashley Festa larger circle. Though the program is educational, ness Parent Academy. As the facilitator process includes formal letter-writing and Career Readiness Parent Academy Getting students moving and physi- Donzis understands the importance at one of the academy’s town hall-style workshops, so parents will feel comfort- is intended to address school and o explain why size matters when it cally involved with what they’re learning of making activities entertaining to meetings, Kulhanek asked a group of able writing formal communications to community problems. For students, GEAR comes to engineering, Joey Donzis helps them to understand the information encourage participation and increase nine parents about school and com- representatives in Congress and school UP workshops teach concepts in science, T rounded up his young assistants better, said Donzis, education specialist information retention. munity problems, generating a dynamic, boards. technology, engineering and mathematics. and organized them into two circles, one with iTEC, UTSA’s Interactive Technology “I want to show them that this is the interactive discussion. Parents also will be introduced Paired together this summer to develop large and one small. Experience Center, part of the College world around you and how you can have “We get them to tell us what’s im- to their area’s San Antonio Fear-Free a college-going culture, the academy On Donzis’ count, 14 eager eighth of Engineering. Activity combined with fun with it,” he said. “I’m trying to give portant to them,” said Dennis Gonzalez, Environment (SAFFE) officer, part of the offered academic programming for parents graders created the moving parts of academics is all part of the plan for UTSA’s them opportunities I didn’t have as a kid.” project director for GEAR UP II and city’s Community Policing Program. As in SAISD neighborhoods while students two human gears, the smaller circle of P-20 Initiatives GEAR UP II workshops. Spanish translator for the academy par- enjoyed innovative activities developed by students rotating much faster than the The second year of Gaining Early Continued on next page ticipants. “It’s not us telling them what Continued on page 23 UTSA’s engineering department.

20 P-20 Initiatives P-20 Initiatives 21 High school students develop critical skills Details, details Students at the GEAR UP workshop built their solar cars for speed in UTSA TRIO courses or strength after learning about how gears make all the difference. Instead of being lazy or getting into trouble, Dillon Paez spent six weeks of his summer doing research, attempting to prove his hypothesis that the use of technology while driv- ing influences the number of traffic fatalities. Paez’s research was part of his participation in the Up- ward Bound program, one of several federal TRIO programs designed to provide assistance to students from disadvan- taged backgrounds. At UTSA, eight TRIO programs serve 2,090 low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students as they progress from middle school through gradu- ate school. As a method of developing a college-going culture, TRIO TOp-Level attention Jude Valdez, vice president for Com- munity Services, talks with high school students about their helps these students prepare for higher education. “I know projects at the TRIO research symposium. I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I am” without this program, said Paez, a high school senior who has participated in Up- and school administrators. ward Bound at UTSA since he finished middle school. Paez focused his research this summer on the trend of During summer sessions, the Upward Bound and Upward texting while driving in the United States. He chose the topic Bound Math Science academic programs help prepare TRIO because he lost two friends to accidents caused by texting CONTINUED Donzis, who developed the sum- The students worked together, participants for the courses they’ll take in the upcoming while driving. engineering workshop mer Solar Hot Rod Workshop, used the discussing and debating the best way to school year. Taught by credentialed faculty, TRIO course With faculty mentor Ellen Wolroth, Paez and his team- human gear demonstration to show the build their cars. Donzis offered advice to options offer various levels of math studies – all the way up mates hypothesized that technology use in automobiles is on The SAISD partnered with UTSA to ways students could construct their the teams as he observed construction to pre-calculus – as well as laboratory science, literature and the rise in the U.S., increasing the number of traffic fatalities. develop a program aimed at helping project for the day: a solar panel car, to and answered questions. He encour- composition, and foreign language, including Spanish, Latin The group researched the laws pertaining to texting while communities achieve academic success, be built for either strength or speed. aged the students to walk around and and American Sign Language. A research class and sympo- driving, along with the number of fatalities attributed to dis- a goal that is already showing results. After explaining how to build the car look at the other teams’ cars. sium round out the program. tracted drivers from 1999-2008. The team organized the data Activities help students prepare for frame and attach the motor to the solar “Engineers share ideas,” he said, The research course develops students’ critical thinking by race, gender and age to present at the symposium. required standardized tests and have panel, Donzis set the students loose “because they build stuff to make the skills and also teaches them how to work as a team. Students “Upward Bound is an eye-opener to all things that are been increasing student graduation in teams of two to plan and build their world better, not worse.” also learned how to use electronic research tools. possible,” Paez said. “The program provides a head start to rates. The grant will follow the same cars. Later, they would race them to de- Students were able to use what they The culmination of the program is the research sympo- people who would not have considered going to college or do- cohort of students all the way through termine the fastest car. The cars built for learned in the workshop right away sium, a venue in which Paez and fellow UTSA TRIO students ing research. I liked it because it gave me an edge.” their senior year of high school. strength would compete for the record during this year’s GEAR UP finale, held can present their faculty-led, college-level research to peers — Rhonda Moses “We’re losing kids in middle school,” in amount of weight pulled. in late July. An interactive technology said Francisco Aranda, a college Particularly important to Donzis day at UTSA’s Main Campus was open to readiness coach for GEAR UP. He was that before building their cars, the all students who participated in events follow-up session as part of their acad- to get involved in this program.” stressed the importance of introducing students should understand how solar throughout the summer. CONTINUED emy membership. Future workshops And listening will continue as the educational programs early to prevent power works. He spent the first half of “The students were able to go to parent academy will include leadership skills, financial program progresses. Because the low-income, first-generation students in the day showing how solar energy can be the iTEC laboratories and were able to a resource to help clean up the commu- literacy and academic success planning academy is new, organizers know they underrepresented demographics from converted into electricity. That way, he participate in four activities including nity, the SAFFE officer can aid parents’ for their children. haven’t worked out all the kinks yet. becoming marginalized. said, students would be able to focus on robotics, aviation, forensics and renew- effort to prevent crimes, rather than only “I think it’s a great, great idea,” said Parents are encouraged to provide input He was especially pleased about the engineering the cars rather than wonder- able energy,” said Dennis Gonzalez, react to them. Juan M. Prado, father of middle- and about what they want to discuss. number of young women at the event. ing how the sun is used to run them. project director for GEAR UP II. “These are all things they can do elementary-school students. “I think this “If we’re going in the wrong direc- “We’re trying to empower these “It’s no longer magic; it’s science,” Planning is already under way for in their neighborhood right now,” will unite the community, all the neigh- tion, we want their feedback,” Gonzalez young girls to let them know they can be he said. “We’re talking about solar en- next summer, Gonzalez said. The new Kulhanek said. “We’re just giving them bors. If we get involved, I think we can said. “We’re developing the academy engineers in a male-dominated field,” ergy because it’s finally a viable energy. activity will be developed based on the the resources.” make a difference. I can start talking to organically with parents.” Aranda said. It could be used in these kids’ future.” surveys from this year’s events. He invited parents to attend the some of my neighbors and other parents — Ashley Festa

22 P-20 Initiatives P-20 Initiatives 23

ACCESS Your Future The ACCESS Center Lab at UTSA provides resources to assist foster care youth with Marshmallow Mania Students used college readiness, admissions, financial aid, their science skills to build catapults, housing and employment. and then competed against each other to see which team could lob the marsh- We can help with: mallows the farthest. • Goal planning • Deciding between job training or college • Money management • Résumé building • Scholarship and financial assistance • And much more!

Visit the ACCESS website at utsa.edu/capri/access to find out more. Summer A program of the Child & Adolescent Session Policy Research Institute Each year, the UTSA Office of P-20 Initiatives hosts themed camps throughout the sum- mer for students of all ages. Camps are focused on STEM (science, technology, engineer- ing and mathematics) topics to promote related career fields for children who might not have considered them otherwise. For the first time this year, a 1st and 2nd grade camp was College available, which filled up weeks in advance. At camp, students participate in hands-on, fun learning activities such as doing experiments or building rockets in an attempt to both instruct and recruit for other P-20 learning programs. PREP Destination: Discovery Robotics Camp Begins A two-week Destination: Discovery science P-20 was able to sponsor a robot- camp allowed 4th and 5th graders to explore ics camp with iTEC, the Interactive a variety of topics, such as making things Technology Experience Center from Now! glow in the dark, the myth of Pop Rocks UTSA’s College of Engineering, thanks candy with soda, slime and polymers, fizz- to funding from Rackspace intended In the San Antonio Prefreshman ing and foaming, layered liquids, the phys- to offer more students the chance to Engineering Program, 8th graders can: Engineering Robots High school ics of paper airplanes and the perennial experience iTEC. With those funds, 30 • Experience campus life students constructed robots to • Explore science and tech favorite challenge: designing a capsule to students were able to attend the camp perform designated tasks, such as career options protect an egg from a four-story drop. for free. moving an object from one location • Make new friends We dropped in on the young scientists as At the one-week camp, 9th and 10th to another, or annihilating other robots in combat. • Earn high school elective credit they designed catapults for a day of Marsh- grade students built robots to perform mallow Mania. Students received materials specific tasks and later, had a face-off Apply online at prep-usa.org, to build the catapults and later, challenged challenge in which the robots com- or talk to your child’s math or each other in a contest to see who could peted against each other. CONNECT Online science teacher. See what the students’ completed robots can do. launch their marshmallow the farthest. — Ashley Festa For more information, call the Visit utsa.edu/communityconnect. UTSA PREP office at 210-458-2060.

24 P-20 Initiatives P-20 Initiatives 25 INTRODUCING UTSA’S UTSA research project sheds light on MEXICO Crossing undocumented immigrants’ struggles CENTER t’s hard enough being a young adult her doctorate; she studied undocument- with the burdens of completing ed children and the reasons families The UTSA Mexico Center con- I school, finding a job and growing would risk bringing them to the U.S. nects existing Mexico-related Borders up. Multiply the hardship many times In her current research, “these are the expertise through collabora- by Ashley Festa over for undocumented students living same children I was working with then, tion on research projects and in the United States who add the fear of 20 years later,” she said. activities. The center addresses deportation to their list of concerns. UTSA’s Mexico Center is conducting crucial issues of how U.S. and research to discover more about the lives Mexico policies and practices of young immigrants who were brought “We’re putting a face on these affect families and commu- into the country illegally as children. As nities on both sides of the they have grown up, they’ve attended stories, these people who border. To do so, the center school, graduated and now would like the media have treated as partners with several Mexican to get jobs. Their undocumented status, however, has prevented them from doing criminals. They’re citizens in or Mexico-related organiza- so, until recently. every way except on paper.” tions and institutions. In June, President Obama signed Harriett Romo an executive order allowing young director of the Mexico Center The center’s primary goal is to undocumented immigrants to apply address and generate transna- for deferred action, protecting them tional dialogue and research on temporarily from deportation, and for public policy issues that affect work permits. To qualify, they must More than 20 students have agreed the people of Mexico and the meet certain criteria, such as being in to be interviewed for the research so far. United States. The dialogue school or already having a degree. Romo seeks to discover how students The order is a relief for many, but it’s plan to be involved in their communities, is intended to translate into not the end of the journey for those in while in school and after graduation. bilateral and cooperative policy favor of the DREAM Act, legislation that, Some of the students she has recommendations. if passed, would provide a conditional interviewed have become activists for path to citizenship for qualifying youth. the DREAM Act, joining national groups, DREAM stands for Development, Relief working to raise awareness and gain and Education for Alien Minors. support for its approval. Harriett Romo, director of the Mexico Carolina Canizales, 22, came to the Center, is collaborating with others at the U.S. with her family at the age of 10, and university to lead the research aimed at she’s been advocating for the DREAM understanding and documenting the civic Act for the past three years. engagement of such individuals. Her mother worked as a housekeep- “We’re putting a face on these stories, er in Alamo Heights, and growing up, these people who the media have treated Canizales attended school in that area. as criminals,” Romo said. “They’re citi- She didn’t realize the limitations of her zens in every way except on paper.” undocumented status until she reached The goal, she said, is to bring the high school when she wasn’t allowed to human aspect to public view in hopes take driver’s education classes. of shifting negative stereotypes. Pseud- “I was the only one who rode the CONNECT ONLINE onyms are used to keep the research from VIA bus. I was the only one who brought Find out more about UTSA’s Mexico jeopardizing participants’ well-being. Center at utsa.edu/mexicocenter. Romo conducted similar research for Continued on next page

Mexico Center 27 involved in student activities and gradu- research project. Active in the commu- Exposing inequalities ated in the top 10 percent of her class. nity as a co-founder of the San Antonio Milena Melo (at left) is Later, she was accepted to the Honors Immigrant Youth Movement and as past documenting disparities in College at UTSA, and she spent the 15 president of DREAM Act Now! while at healthcare coverage through hours per week she spent riding the UTSA, she aspires to be a voice for other her doctoral research inter- viewing borderland immi- bus to her classes doing homework and DREAMers in the San Antonio area. grants. Her faculty advisor, writing her thesis. “Being a community organizer Jill Fleuriet (below), says the She graduated this year, right after allows me to build solidarity with research will have an impact she was named Most Outstanding others’ struggles,” Reséndiz said. “We’re in Mexico and in the U.S. Student in the Honors College. Now, creating a youth that’s becoming more she’s applying to graduate schools while aware of the struggles.” working at her internship. For her, being part of the Mexico She hopes that her participation in the Center’s research project means shining research is an eye-opener for the public. a different light on the educational pro- “I hope people will get the big pic- cess, she said. “It’s giving a human face ture,” she said. “It’s hard to fight every to those statistics.” day. We’ve contributed in every way, but Working now as an intern at the Intent on change Harriett Romo, direc- we’re still not acknowledged.” Mexican American Defense of Education tor of the Mexico Center, hopes to bring a On a deeper level, separation from Fund, she hopes to go to law school in “human aspect to public view” to balance family in Mexico makes living with the future and become an immigration frequently negative media coverage. undocumented status even harder. She attorney. She graduated from UTSA had to miss her grandmother’s funeral earlier this year with a bachelor’s in Fellowship recipient uncovers healthcare CONTINUED because she and her family knew they political science. DREAM Act wouldn’t be allowed back into the U.S. Another attorney in the making, shortfalls for undocumented immigrants “I have not been to Mexico in 12 years,” Cristina Cigarroa, 25, a law student at lunch from home,” she said. “Café meals Canizales said. “I haven’t seen my family UT Austin, is helping Romo with the re- Obtaining affordable healthcare can be undocumented immigrants in the Rio feed her children.” were expensive.” but I try to keep in touch.” Since her grand- search as part of her internship with the difficult for even the healthiest of people, Grande Valley. A native of the area, “A key benefit of Milena’s research is Though she realized she was differ- father got a computer, they’re now able to Mexico Center. In conducting interviews but when plagued with a chronic illness, Melo shed light upon the difficulties her in-depth documentation of what it ent, she said Alamo Heights schools see each other via Skype. “It means a lot to and learning more about the movement, the roadblocks to getting adequate care these people encounter because they means to live healthcare disparities, day taught her to be competitive. “I wanted be able to see grandpa.” she, too, has become an advocate. can seem overwhelming. For undocu- do not qualify for healthcare coverage. in and day out,” said Jill Fleuriet, UTSA to prove I was as competent” as the Pamela Reséndiz, 23, also agreed Though she was born in Boston, she mented immigrants living in the U.S., Through her interviews with emergen- associate professor of anthropology and other students, she said. She became to be interviewed for the Mexico Center said she relates more closely to the situ- even a treatable disease like diabetes can cy room doctors, hospital administra- Melo’s faculty advisor who specializes ation because of her Mexican heritage. seem like a death sentence. tors and the county health department, in medical anthropology and health “Society generally thinks of immi- UTSA anthropology doctoral she found dialysis treatment for diabet- disparities among Hispanics in the U.S.- grants as those who don’t participate student Milena Melo, who received an ics to be a reoccurring topic. Mexico borderlands. “The Mexico Center fully in society,” she said, “but I’d say Educational Research Fellowship from When she began working toward her allows the UTSA community to develop Continue Your these immigrants are actually more ac- the university’s Mexico Center in the Ph.D. at UTSA in the fall of 2011, she de- and contribute research that has an im- tive politically and civically. Many have spring, is taking a closer look at health- cided to pursue the topic further through pact on both Mexico and the U.S.” surpassed citizens in their work.” care experiences for undocumented her pilot research. At the center of Melo’s The UTSA Mexico Center was estab- Education Cigarroa believes that raising aware- immigrants with diabetes in Texas’ Rio research are the personal interviews she lished in 2005 to connect the existing ness that DREAMers are educated and Grande Valley. The primary goal of her is conducting in the Rio Grande Valley Mexico-related expertise at UTSA and The Office of Extended Education promotes involved in their communities will help research and dissertation is to promote with undocumented immigrants seeking generate transnational dialogue in the lifelong learning by offering a variety of change what she calls an “anti-immi- healthcare access as a human right for treatment for diabetes. hope that such dialogue will translate professional development opportunities to grant society.” all U.S. residents. Melo hopes to com- “I am thankful for the funding I into bilateral and cooperative public the local community and across the nation. “But I think a lot of work still needs plete her dissertation by 2016. received from the Mexico Center through policy recommendations. Since 2007, Visit our website to find programs and to be done,” she said. Melo earned her bachelor’s degree my research fellowship as it has allowed the center has awarded 24 Mexico Cen- workshops that meet your needs. in biology and anthropology and her me to conduct these interviews and in ter Educational Research Fellowships, For information: master’s in interdisciplinary studies turn, I have really gotten a sense of their which support student/faculty research CONNECT online with a concentration in anthropol- illness experiences,” Melo said. projects on Mexico-related topics that visit us Downtown Campus, Buena Vista Bldg 1.320 Want to join the movement? ogy from The University of Texas-Pan “I had an individual actually cry require field work or consultation at a email [email protected] Go online to find event schedules online utsa.edu/ee and more. Visit unitedwedream.org or American. While there, she completed during the interview saying she cannot university or research center. universityleadership.org her thesis on healthcare access for afford both treatment for herself and to — Claire Jenkins

28 Mexico Center Mexico Center 29 Romo, Vice President for Community Services Jude Valdez, physics chair UTSA and Mexico university Miguel Jose Yacaman, and others – vis- ited with their counterparts in Mexico collaborate on immigration to discuss new ways the universities can work together. book, forge scholarly network As UTSA shares knowledge and resources, the university also benefits As part of a partnership UTSA signed from new research opportunities made with Mexico’s Universidad Veracru- possible through the collaboration. zana, Mexican and American scholars Thanks to the agreement with UAEM, have published a compilation of reports UTSA is able to conduct research with on immigration and citizenship. Pemex, a petroleum company owned The book, titled A Bilateral by the Mexico government. Perspective on Mexico-U.S. Migration, UAEM also benefits from the partner- is now available. ship. Science students from UAEM are The collaboration agreement brought able to visit UTSA for a year on scholar- together the two universities to stimulate ship, giving them access to some of the bi-national dialogue and research-based best equipment available, including the policymaking. world’s most powerful electron micro- Following the agreement, the UTSA scope, which belongs to UTSA. Mexico Center hosted an open forum and As part of the physics department at later a scholarly meeting to discuss im- UTSA, Jose Yacaman sees the partner- migration topics. ship as a way to benefit the Mexican Later, scholars with academic back- education system. Graduate students grounds in law, public affairs, history, arrive at UTSA to study nanotechnol- bilingual-bicultural studies, sociology ogy, biology and related fields. and education contributed reports for Upon graduation, many of Jose publication based on conversations from Yacaman’s students return to Mexico those two events. no more ‘Brain Drain’ Physics professor Miguel Jose Yacaman sends many of his exchange graduates back to Mexico to teach. as faculty members to teach the next The Mexico Center’s 2009 open generation of STEM (science, technol- forum, hosted with the UTSA Interna- ogy, engineering and mathematics) tional Trade Center and the San Anto- Universities share resources students. nio International Affairs Department, “We don’t keep them in the United welcomed faculty members, students, demic workshop. and research opportunities, States, so there’s no ‘brain drain’ for immigration law practitioners, com- During the day-long session at the Mexico,” Jose Yacaman said. About 100 munity support groups, government Mexico Center, professors from the benefitting UTSA and Mexico of his former students are now teaching agencies and religious organizations. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de in Mexico. Participants offered discussion topics, México, the Universidad Iberoameri- Economic development isn’t solely sities. The values and interests of UAEM These new faculty have learned ap- which included social incorporation cana, CIESAS Noreste, the Instituto focused on businesses; UTSA is also align closely with UTSA, and President plied research while studying at UTSA, and economic development in both Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad creating partnerships with several uni- Ricardo Romo signed an agreement in helping to solve real-world problems Mexico and the United States. Veracruzana, and the Benemérita Uni- versities in Mexico to advance research late 2010 to promote a wide range of col- when they return to Mexico. “It’s a Discussions focused on the role of veridad Autónoma de Puebla shared knowledge on both sides of the border. laborative activity. benefit to society,” he said. immigrants – especially women – in research and discussed migration- UTSA’s Institute for Economic Devel- “Having established a good working Improving businesses and aca- the workforce, how legal status affects related issues. opment has focused on higher education relationship with UAEM through our demia in Mexico has helped the coun- the ability to establish a small busi- Relationships forged between the as a means to help Mexico’s academic small-business initiative in Mexico, it try strengthen its own job creation and ness, workers’ visas, college access, and professors attending the events fol- communities in addition to helping the makes sense to add layers of academic educational system, which benefits changes the business community would lowing the universities’ collaboration country’s business community. and research collaborations next,” said communities as a whole. like to see in immigration reform. agreement have already flourished into One of the strategic partnerships Robert McKinley, director of the Insti- “It’s a practical answer to the The scholarly meeting in 2010 networks of scholars working together Driving partnerships Robert McKinley, UTSA has established is with Universidad tute for Economic Development. problems of migration and crime in hosted scholars from several public to address immigrant concerns and director of the Institute for Economic Development, sees academic development Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM), This summer, a group of UTSA Mexico,” McKinley said. and private universities in Mexico to bilateral policies. as a part of economic development. one of the country’s largest public univer- administrators – including McKinley, — Ashley Festa meet with UTSA researchers at an aca- — Olivia Lopez

30 Mexico Center Mexico Center 31

City partners with College of Public Policy Outreach activity at UTSA

A Gateway After more than a year of collaboration, as elected leaders, business leaders, Every year, UTSA reaches out and engages individuals and the College of Public Policy at UTSA volunteers and voters in the process of organizations, from kindergartners through graduates, alumni, from South Texas and the City of San Antonio have of- making government more responsible businesses, families and others in our community. In 2011, ficially teamed up to make Mayor Julian and accountable. In doing so, the City UTSA provided direct services and enrichment activities to to Mexico Castro’s SA2020 vision a reality. college hosted a Great Cities Dialogue of San Antonio expects to experience more than half a million people in our region. You are invited +2+A 98 The UTSA Mexico Center helps The college was named the lead to foster discussion on how to increase an increase in: to participate in the many events offered through the year. bridge U.S. and Mexican cultures partner of the SA2020 Government and improve civic engagement and gov- • voter turnout Find activities that interest you on the Community Connection website at community.utsa.edu. by promoting interdisciplinary Accountability and Civic Engagement ernment accountability in San Antonio. • participation and diversity of city collaboration on research and service focus area, one of 11 areas outlined in UTSA’s students also will play a boards projects. The center, through public Castro’s plan to transform San Antonio significant role. Graduate students • the number of graduates in leader- forums and research, addresses into a world-class city over the next majoring in social work led the effort to ship programs critical topics such as: eight years. As a lead partner, UTSA draft a Citizen’s Bill of Rights and Re- • the number of community and neigh- 517,302  Immigration will guide other organizations in taking sponsibilities. At the second Great Cit- borhood associations Total Involvement  Living on the border action for SA2020 as well as pursue its ies Dialogue in December, the students • the amount of media coverage on 507,072  Transnational living own projects, such as voter registration presented the document, which aims to public policy issues TOTAL  Policy implications for families INVOLVEMENT drives and leadership training. improve citizen-government relations, • the number of candidates running for COMMUNITY participants and communities “We will encourage citizens who are outlines the expectations San Antonio City Council 12,977 not normally involved in civic activities citizens have of their government and “We are pleased to be a recognized UTSA participantS For more information: to run for office,” said Francine Romero, the responsibilities they expect to have leader in the area of Government Ac- 210-458-2849 COPP associate dean. “It’s about in return. countability and Civic Engagement, utsa.edu/mexicocenter civic engagement, to get more people “Most of our efforts involve students,” and we look forward to making a empowered and get them to do more in Romero said. “It’s SA2020. They will be significant and long-lasting impact that 1,225 their own communities.” the ones in charge at that point.” will support the transformation of San COPP has supported the SA2020 ef- By 2020, San Antonio expects its Antonio,” Romero said. faculty fort for many months. In April 2011, the citizens will become deeply engaged – Christi Fish 1,522 staff UTSA Business Services 10,230 students for Veterans New work by 30 nationally and internationally recognized artists 12+799+A Advisors from the Chase Veteran’s Business Development living and working in Program at UTSA are available to provide military Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico personnel and veterans with information on contracting Athletics engagement opportunities and access to resources to start small businesses. All services are available at no cost. To further involve the San Antonio community with university activities, UTSA athletics events drew more than a quarter Specialized services include: million attendees in 2011. More than 200,000 people »» Veteran’s Business Bootcamp supported the inaugural season of Roadrunner Football. »» Access to Capital Arte »» Obtaining SBA Loans »» Franchise Opportunities 206,730 »» Start-Up Advising Chihuahua Football 255,879 38,814 Call 210-458-2458 November 5, 2012 – at Men’s & Women’s Basketball to make an appointment Atte ndance eted * March 31, 2013 tick nts 5,326 Find out more at ATHLETICS eve Baseball & Softball ptac.txsbdc.org/index.php/veterans/ Become a member and get free admission! Individual and family 5,009 *Tennis, Cross Country, Track and Field Grant funding provided by the memberships are available. are not ticketed events. Volleyball JP Morgan Chase Foundation Find out more at texancultures.com.

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