Posted on September 22, 2025 by Nick Ward
UT San Antonio has expanded into downtown in recent years with both the Southwest campus and One Riverwalk Place.
Glenn Martinez, Dean of the UT San Antonio College of Liberal and Fine Arts, has launched an exploratory work group, known as the “School Like No Other” work group, to evaluate opportunities for developing a new school for languages, communication and intercultural dynamics in the college.
The proposed new school aims to uniquely integrate studies in language, communication, and culture, fostering advanced expertise in areas such as digital media, health communications, multicultural marketing, and other interdisciplinary fields that are increasingly relevant in the contemporary workforce.
UT San Antonio is uniquely positioned to house this innovative school, owing to San Antonio’s historical role as the origin of large-scale Spanish-language print journalism and its status as a prominent center for Hispanic public relations and marketing. The school will draw upon UT San Antonio’s established expertise in digital media, community journalism, dialogue and deliberation, health communication, translation and interpreting, Spanish heritage language studies, global cultural studies, specialized language programs, and career-focused language instruction.
“We are presented with a unique opportunity to execute a bold vision for the future of UT San Antonio,” said Martinez. “By bringing together our strengths in communication and languages, we can create a school like no other. A school that reflects the bilingual and multicultural character of San Antonio while also providing a robust knowledge base and set of skills that are fit for the world stage.”
This exploratory process will not eliminate or reduce any existing degree programs, research areas, or community engagement initiatives. Instead, it is designed to create new opportunities for collaboration, enhance the strengths of our current departments, and expand pathways for students to thrive.
The work group, which includes faculty members and community partners, will collect information and conduct outreach through October to identify potential opportunities for the new school. In November, they will begin the "Design Phase" focused on developing a conceptual model for the new school. A Town Hall will be held in mid-December to seek feedback from the Communication and Modern Languages and Literatures Departments on the resultant school model.
UT San Antonio Faculty and Staff Committee Members
External Committee Members
Please share your ideas with the work group by contacting any of its members or by emailing Jessi.Arntz@utsa.edu.