Each year across the U.S., people observe National Hispanic Heritage Month beginning September 15. Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, UTSA will showcase community leaders, faculty, staff, and students around significant themes in Latinx culture. UTSA’s celebration will focus on hope and resilience mirroring the national theme for this year.

Roadrunners will celebrate the month with this guiding theme: “Esperanza: A Celebration of Our Heritage and Bold Future.” It’s an encouragement not just to look back and celebrate the past, but to honor the journey that now paves the path to an exciting and bold future.

Hang out at Campus Rec all day long on Thursday, September 16 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with inflatables, a live DJ, and representatives from over 20 clubs and departments across campus while participating in live Group Exercise classes, fitness competitions, climbing at the rock wall, an inflatable obstacle course in the Aquatic Center and all the other great fitness activities and facilities the Rec has to offer. Don’t miss your chance to receive an exclusive Late Night at the Rec shirt!

It's time to vote for your representatives for the 2021-2022 Academic Year. The Fall 2021 General Elections are your chance to select the student Senators who will represent your College and your classification, from Freshmen through Masters and Doctoral Students. Take some time to review the candidates on the SGA website and then head to RowdyLink to cast your ballots for the students who are going to represent you this year. If you have any questions about the elections process, please reach out to sga@utsa.edu.

Attending college is an exciting opportunity to enrich your life and career goals. It can also be a time of change, adjustment, and stress. UTSA provides counseling opportunities, but we know students may need support outside of business hours. With the free My SSP app, support is right at your fingertips – available now! Speak with a professional counselor for concerns about academic performance, skill-building, relationship tensions, self-care, and much more.

Join us for the Fall S.T.E.M. Career Expo on Wednesday, September 15, 2021! Log in anytime between 2:00 and 6:00 pm CST to connect and network with employers and companies offering full-time and internship opportunities for S.T.E.M. majors. Register on Handshake and start signing up for info sessions and one-on-one sessions with employers today!

Visit RowdyLink for full details on the following events:

Have you completed an internship, research, industry project, or other career related experience in 2020-2021? We invite you to share your experience in a 3-5 minute presentation at our virtual showcase on October 15, 2021. Presentations may be created on your medium of choice (slide, video, etc.) in the following categories: Global, Internship, Leadership, Research, Service/Community Volunteer, Industry Project. Submit your interest by Friday, September 17, 2021. Individual and group presentations are welcome! Presenters who make it to the final round will have the opportunity to win prizes such as the MacBook Pro, Apple Tablet, Smart watch, and more!

Formally known as Leadership Takeover, LeaderU is the major gathering of aspiring and active student leaders on campus each year. This year’s conference is scheduled for Friday, September 24 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm with the theme of Self-Discovery. We are also excited to share our notable keynote speaker, Alex Quian, Dallas Texas native and author of Better Together: How 30 Days of Service Changed My Life. LeaderU is free, but you must RSVP in advance, to receive a copy of the book – but hurry, only a limited quantity is available!

The Spirit of the Roadrunner program recognizes students whom embody the spirit of UTSA while striving for the highest levels of academic achievement, campus involvement, and community service. The ideal candidates will demonstrate that they carry out the Roadrunner Creed in their daily actions on campus. Applications are OPEN NOW through Friday, September 24. For more information and to start YOUR application, visit the RowdyLink page, here.

This program gives students the opportunity to shadow and assist SGA executive members and senators. Students can gain experience in advocacy, event planning, and become familiar with the governance model here at UTSA. GAP is aimed particularly at first-year students but it is open to everyone. Those who do not gain a seat in our elections are encouraged to continue in the program so they can still be involved. Apply through Handshake from Monday, September 13 to Friday, September 24. Reach out to the program coordinator and SGA Director of Outreach, Perla Garcia, for assistance or questions.

On-campus health care for UTSA students is provided by UT Health San Antonio Wellness 360. Our health care team is led by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who hold the highest-level degrees for nursing practice, master’s and doctoral degrees.

This week the Wellbeing Services team will be promoting the wellbeing dimensions of Intellectual and Spiritual. Visit our table on Wednesday, September 15 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm where we will be promoting services and programs under the Recreation and Wellness Center breezeway.

Our available dining locations and hours of operation have changed! Check out locations, hours and more on the UTSA Dining website. Also, be sure to try our newest on-campus coffee shop: Java City Coffee, located in Guadalupe Hall. Stop by for a coffee before class or a study break with friends!

Is one of your favorite locations closed? We need your help to open! Apply for a great on-campus job with our team. With our flexible positions, you can support the campus community and ensure UTSA Dining can continue to provide excellent service!

Start your semester off right with these success tips!

Celebrate the loved ones who support you! The Family of the Year Contest is a chance for you to brag about the ways your parents, friends, or mentors enhance and support your efforts as a UTSA student. From keeping you warm during the freeze, caffeine and snacks to help you study, to helping you celebrate your academic success, share stories with us about your family. Submit your nomination on RowdyLink by Friday, September 24!

CPS Energy is installing a new natural gas regulator station near the eastside corner of Brenan Avenue and the 1604 access road. Work began Thursday, Sept. 9, and continues through Friday, Oct. 15. Upgrades to their natural gas pipeline, which runs along the 1604 access road, is also part of the project. For your safety, several road closures will continue through the duration of the project. Commuter parking will not be available along Tobin Avenue. Barricades, fencing, and “no parking” and “detour” signs will be in place to safely guide traffic.

Visit our website for a detailed construction schedule and site maps. For more information, contact the Facilities Service Center at (210) 458-4262.

This year’s flu season has already started, and it’s more important than ever to do your part to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your seasonal flu shot. Since many of the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 overlap, it is strongly recommended that all students, faculty and staff be immunized with the seasonal flu vaccine.

Information about upcoming on-campus flu shot clinics will be shared with the Roadrunner community as soon as it is available, but don’t delay! Experts recommend that most people receive their flu shots starting in September, so be sure to check out the many local providers already administering flu vaccines.