The Strategic Initiatives team connects people, ideas and action across Academic Innovation, the university and our partners across higher education. We help turn vision into impact by aligning cross-campus partnerships, tracking meaningful outcomes and driving the execution of big, bold ideas. From operational strategy to data storytelling, we support the work that transforms UTSA into a national leader in teaching, learning and digital transformation.
What we do
We build the bridges that bring innovation to life
- Tell the story – We help weave compelling, mission-aligned narratives into the work of Academic Innovation and its partners.
- Align strategy and recognition – We support strategic grants, awards and proposal alignment so great work gets funded and noticed.
- Track impact – We gather, analyze and communicate data that shows how innovation is making a difference.
- Facilitate partnerships – We connect teams and cultivate the collaborations that power progress.
- Execute high-impact projects – From major initiatives to new ideas, we help bring complex projects to life—on time and in sync.
Explore our Work
From GenAI and XR to student belonging and microcredentials, Academic Innovation supports initiatives that expand access, increase impact and shape the future of learning.
Bringing GenAI into the classroom through peer networks, pilot courses and faculty development.
Objective
Support faculty in exploring and integrating generative AI in their teaching through professional development, pilot programs and collaborative networks.
Background
Following the rapid emergence of GenAI tools, UTSA launched cross-campus conversations, student guidelines and instructional pilots to understand the opportunities and implications for higher education.
Partners
Teaching, Learning & Digital Transformation, Faculty Champions, AI Peer Learning Network, UTSA Libraries, Division of Academic Innovation
Impact (So Far)
Over 75 faculty engaged in GenAI programming; 6 student interns supported; curriculum and guidelines created for AI-aware teaching.
Latest Updates (Blog with Tags)
Blog: "What We Learned from Our First AI Course Pilots" #GenerativeAI #FacultyDevelopment
Resources
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Hands-on experiments in immersive learning, from simulations to storytelling.
Objective
Expand immersive learning experiences across disciplines through extended reality (XR) technologies.
Background
Building on national trends in medical, STEM and arts education, UTSA is piloting VR/XR across multiple colleges with a focus on access and instructional design.
Partners
Academic Innovation, Faculty Champions, Adobe, Academic Colleges, Academic Technologies
Impact (So Far)
20+ faculty engaged in VR workshops; classroom pilots conducted in health sciences, language and arts; infrastructure expanded for XRperiences Lab.
Latest Updates (Blog with Tags)
Blog: "Bringing Virtual Reality to Life in the Classroom" #XR #TeachingInnovation
Resources
Real-time student feedback tools that surface actionable insights for faculty and course designers.
Objective
Enable real-time, in-course student feedback to support timely instructional adjustments and deepen engagement.
Background
Launched as a scalable alternative to end-of-semester surveys, RowdyPulse captures student sentiment to empower faculty decision-making.
Partners
Institutional Research, Faculty Champions, TLDT, Student Success.
Impact (So Far)
Over 4,500 students reached in pilot; faculty report higher responsiveness and improved dialogue with students.
Latest Updates (Blog with Tags)
Blog: "What Students Are Telling Us—And What We’re Doing About It" #StudentVoice #FeedbackTools
Resources
Skill-based learning experiences empower students and faculty alike
Objective
Offer skill-specific, stackable learning opportunities that reflect industry demand and student ambition.
Background
UTSA’s microcredential strategy combines internal course enhancements and external partnerships to prepare learners for the evolving workforce.
Partners
Coursera, Adobe, PaCE, TLDT, Career Services
Impact (So Far)
8,992 Coursera enrollments; 3,361 certificates issued; integrated into 40+ courses across disciplines.
Resources
UTSA is proud to be an Adobe Creative Campus—supporting digital fluency across all disciplines
Objective
Promote digital creativity and storytelling across all disciplines and empower students with industry-standard tools.
Background
As an Adobe Creative Campus, UTSA provides all students, faculty and staff access to the Adobe Creative Cloud, along with development workshops and student-led events.
Partners
Adobe, TLDT, Libraries, University Marketing, Student Affairs
Impact (So Far)
23,000+ Adobe users on campus; 5,000+ trained through Academic Innovation events; integrated into signature courses and student projects.
Latest Updates (Blog with Tags)
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Resources
Play-based strategies and game mechanics that drive deeper student engagement.
Objective
Inspire engagement through playful, goal-driven strategies that enhance student motivation and learning outcomes.
Background
Gamification efforts at UTSA explore how interactive and reward-based structures support learning across content areas.
Partners
TLDT, Faculty Champions, Academic Colleges
Impact (So Far)
Gamified elements embedded into pilot courses; early data show improved participation and course retention.
Latest Updates (Blog with Tags)
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Resources
Inclusive, research-informed practices that help all students thrive.
Objective
Empower instructors to use inclusive, proven teaching strategies that support all learners.
Background
UTSA integrates Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with evidence-based practices to reduce barriers and improve equity in the classroom.
Partners
TLDT, Accessibility Services, Faculty Champions, Libraries
Impact (So Far)
60% of faculty participated in training; improved DFW rates and classroom accessibility in pilot courses.
Latest Updates (Blog with Tags)
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Resources
Nationally recognized work improving student belonging and reducing DFW rates.
Objective
Foster belonging and improve outcomes by addressing psychological barriers to student success.
Background
As a national SEP partner, UTSA uses social-belonging interventions and instructor messaging to reduce DFW rates and increase engagement.
Partners
Student Success, Faculty Fellows, National SEP Network
Impact (So Far)
More than 5,600 students impacted; DFW rate decreased by 3%+ across colleges; notable increases in engagement.
Latest Updates
Resources
- UTSA Student Experience Project webpage
- CStudent Reflection Prompts
- SEP Spring 2025 Site
Nationally recognized work improving student belonging and reducing DFW rates.
Objective
Lower barriers to learning by supporting faculty in the adoption, adaptation and creation of open course materials.
Background
UTSA promotes OER use as a strategy for affordability, inclusion and academic freedom.
Partners
Libraries, TLDT, Faculty Champions, Academic Colleges
Impact (So Far)
Cost savings for hundreds of students; growing network of OER-using instructors across colleges.
Latest Updates (Blog with Tags)
Blog: "Teaching with Open Access in Mind" #OER #Affordability
Resources
Innovative pathways that meet community needs and expand access to UTSA.
Objective
Launch flexible, market-aligned academic programs that meet evolving student and workforce needs.
Background
Through UTSA Online and PaCE, new degrees and certificates are developed for learners across life stages, industries and geographic regions.
Partners
PaCE, UTSA Online, Academic Colleges, Workforce Boards
Impact (So Far)
12% online enrollment growth YOY; top-ranked national programs; strong partnerships with regional employers.
Latest Updates (Blog with Tags)
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Resources
Communities of Practice
Tools & Guides
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Instructor Incentives
Explore current grants, stipends and course redesign opportunities available to faculty.
Publications, Presentations & Conference Spotlights
From major higher ed conferences to national awards, UTSA’s innovation is gaining attention .
Academic Innovation on Social Media
Youtube
Watch faculty features, student spotlights and deep dives into our initiatives. Our channel brings innovation to life with tutorials, event recaps and storytelling from across the university.
Follow us for professional updates, national presentations, strategic partnerships and thought leadership in higher education. Ideal for faculty, staff and institutional partners.
See creativity in action—student designs, event highlights and immersive media from across our programs. Great for behind-the-scenes, quick hits and inspiration.
X (formerly Twitter)
Join the conversation on educational innovation. We share real-time event updates, conference takeaways, resources and key articles that shape what’s next.
Stay connected with our broader community—featuring announcements, local partnerships and uplifting stories that show the impact of our work.
