Posted on May 15, 2025 by Nick Ward
As a political science major and outgoing president of the Student Government Association (SGA), Aydan Villarreal has spent his entire college career championing student perspectives and working to build meaningful and lasting connections between students and university leadership.
SGA Aydan Villarreal in full commencement regalia in front of the Rowdy Statue
As a political science major and outgoing president of the Student Government Association (SGA), Aydan Villarreal has spent his entire college career championing student perspectives and working to build meaningful and lasting connections between students and university leadership.
Villarreal, who was born in San Antonio and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, arrived at UTSA sight unseen. “I had not even taken a campus tour until the end of my senior year,” he recalled. “But the moment I walked through the Student Union, something clicked. I knew this was where I needed to be.”
His passion for public service quickly found a home. After attending a “Meet Your Representatives” event during Roadrunner Days, Villarreal ran for and was elected freshman class senator. From there, his involvement deepened. He went on to serve as a college senator, chief of staff and was eventually elected SGA president in 2024.
Under his leadership, SGA saw record student engagement. One of the most meaningful moments for Villarreal was returning to the same Roadrunner Days event that inspired him years before, this time as SGA president. Attendance had more than quadrupled since his arrival.
“We saw over 100 students show up, engage with our team and ask how they could get involved,” he said. “That moment defined the rest of the year. It reminded me how important it is to meet students where they are, in their classrooms and organizations, and how powerful it is when students feel heard.”
That philosophy informed the rest of his presidency. Villarreal prioritized direct student outreach and helped reestablish trust and visibility between the student body and university offices. “We wanted to make sure that when someone mentioned SGA, students knew who we were and what we stood for. Our goal was to make that advocacy feel real and accessible.”
His approach also helped pave the way for future student leaders. “I like to say I had 36,000 bosses,” Villarreal said with a smile. “There will always be someone in the role of president, but it is the advocacy that lasts. It is the students who take action for one another who really shape the future of this university.”
Villarreal, who will be graduating with his BA in Political Science from the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, credits his academic work with giving him the tools to think critically, communicate strategically and build strong relationships. “I have developed a real appreciation for how public institutions work,” he said. “You learn that things do not change overnight, but if you stay committed and listen to others, you can build structures that last.”
After graduation, Villarreal hopes to pursue a career in public service, whether in municipal government, public health or community planning, where he can continue advocating for people and making a tangible impact on their daily lives.
“I am not exactly sure where I will land,” he said. “But I know I want to wake up every morning knowing that I am helping people, that I am using what I have learned to serve others.”
When asked what message he hopes to leave with his fellow Roadrunners, Villarreal offered words he has tried to live by. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Speak up for what matters to you. This is a place where your voice truly can make a difference.”
— Nick Ward
