May 1, 2025
COLFA Faculty University Excellence Awards
The College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) is proud to celebrate the achievements of seven outstanding faculty members recognized at the 2025 UTSA University Excellence Awards. These annual awards honor faculty and staff who exemplify the university’s commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, student success, and groundbreaking research.
April 30, 2025
Lights, Camera, Uplift: Anna Stypko Empowering Young Storytellers
UTSA Arts
Visiting Assistant Professor Anna Stypko in the Film & Media program, brings a dynamic creative perspective to both her teaching and her community engagement efforts. Stypko’s passion for empowering young storytellers shines not only through her role as an educator at UTSA but also through her work with the Eastside Youth Content Creators Program (EYCCP).
April 28, 2025
Postdoctoral Fellow Lida Sarafrazarpatapeh Awarded Media Fellowship
Lida Sarafrazarpatapeh, Ph.D., a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Medical Humanities program, has been selected as a 2025 Philosophy in Media Fellow by the Marc Sanders Foundation.
April 15, 2025
UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research releases new election poll results ahead of early voting
A poll of likely San Antonio voters conducted by the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) finds Gina Ortiz Jones leading the crowded field of 27 candidates hoping to succeed Ron Nirenberg as mayor. Jones currently garners 12.8% support, followed by John Courage (7.1%) and Beto Altamirano (6.6%).
April 7, 2025
UTSA to expand news storytelling tools to support university’s leadership trajectory
UTSA is seeking input from students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the university community to help guide enhancements to its primary storytelling resources to more powerfully reflect the university’s rise in prominence.
March 9, 2025
How a UTSA class is prepping students for career in TV, film industry
Express News
Students from the University of Texas at San Antonio's Live Production class got a behind-the-scenes look at the stage production for Justin Timberlake’s “The Forget Tomorrow Tour" at the Moody Center in Austin.
March 5, 2025
Silliness as Radical Resistance: An interview with Ailish Elzy
UTSA Arts
In collaboration with UTSA’s Film/Media program, speaker Ailish Elzy presented Silly Humor, Kaleidoscopic Blackness, and Affirming Spectatorship in A Black Lady Sketch Show to students and the public at Student Union in the Willow Room last month. Her presentation explored silliness as a distinct comedic mode and how it can also be used as a tool of radical resistance. Elzy, a Ph.D candidate in Media Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, shared her expertise of Black film history, humor studies, and genre theory to her discussion. She presented insights from her research, creative work, and passes on her best piece of advice to our students.
March 4, 2025
CPOR poll finds many voters undecided on mayoral race
UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research
A new voter survey from the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) highlights a lack of clarity among voters about who will become San Antonio’s next mayor. About 35% of voters are undecided and 20% are unfamiliar with any of the 27 candidates running to replace Ron Nirenberg in the May 3, 2025 election.
February 23, 2025
UTSA to celebrate 50 years of art and music at the Tobin Center
UTSA Today
UTSA will commemorate 50 years of excellence in the arts with a special anniversary concert celebrating the legacy of its School of Art and its School of Music. This milestone event will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, bringing together musicians, dancers, visual artists and spoken word performers for an evening of creativity and collaboration.
February 20, 2025
Fostering Dialogue and Civil Discourse at the University of Texas using the CDP Toolkit
Interactivity Foundation
At the University of Texas in San Antonio, Professor of Communication Sara DeTurk is making strides in fostering civil discourse through innovative education programs. After becoming trained as a Coach through IF’s Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP), she recently integrated activities from IF’s free CDP Toolkit into her dialogue facilitation class–with transformative results for her students and the broader university community.
February 19, 2025
UTSA film program announces its second screenwriters workshop
KSAT NEWS
Five writers with gamut of screenwriting credits will mentor 55 students in mock writers' rooms
February 3, 2025
CPOR Study: Crime is Top Concern of Bexar County Voters
UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research
Crime, homelessness and affordable housing are the most pressing concerns on the minds of Bexar County voters, according to the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research’s (CPOR) inaugural Bexar County Voter Panel Study.
January 8, 2025
Mellon Foundation to fund new UTSA transborder center-consortium
UTSA Today
Sylvia Fernández-Quintanilla, an assistant professor of public and digital humanities, has been awarded a two-year, $150,000 Mellon Foundation planning grant to establish the Transborder Digital Humanities Center-Consortium (TBDH).
January 7, 2025
Metropolitan Museum of Art selects UTSA professor Julie Johnson for fellowship
UTSA Today
Julie Johnson, a UTSA associate professor of art history, has been awarded a prestigious senior fellowship at the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art. The center, located within the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), is renowned for its contributions to the study of modern art and offers an exceptional environment for scholars dedicated to advancing the field.
December 4, 2024
Uplifting a New Generation
Sombrilla Magazine
Shelly Lares talks about being the first UTSA artist-in-residence and how she’s using it to inspire students
November 4, 2024
San Antonio educators hope bearded dragon mock election, conversations will create ‘lifelong voters’
As Election Day approaches in San Antonio, students across the city are immersing themselves in the historic and often contentious election process, finding creative ways to better understand the ins and outs of democracy, while older students prepare to delve into the emotional complexities of civic engagement.
November 1, 2024
Inaugural Global Health Humanities Symposium brings together health professionals, students
UTSA’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts and the Interdisciplinary School for Engagement hosted the university’s first Global Health Humanities Symposium from October 21st through the 23rd as part of the school’s Medical Humanities program.
October 31, 2024
Degree in Commercial and Digital Music Equips Students for the Modern Music Industry
The UTSA School of Music has launched its new Bachelor of Arts in Commercial and Digital Music this Fall. The degree has been approved by the THECB and a small inaugural class has already begun studies in this contemporary program designed to equip students with the skills to thrive in today’s digital music landscape.
October 31, 2024
CPOR Releases Final Poll Results Before Election Day 2024
UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research
A new survey of San Antonio voters by the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) shows a shift in sentiment for Proposition C, the San Antonio city charter amendment that would remove caps on the city manager’s salary and the number of years a person could serve in that position.
October 29, 2024
Mission: Music Therapy for Veterans
Sombrilla Magazine
UTSA’s On-Corps band program promotes veteran well-being through band rehearsals, concerts and camaraderie.
October 29, 2024
Innovation at COLFA: BA in Commercial and Digital Music
The UTSA School of Music has launched its new Bachelor of Arts in Commercial and Digital Music this Fall. The degree has been approved by the THECB and a small inaugural class has already begun studies in this contemporary program designed to equip students with the skills to thrive in today’s digital music landscape.
October 16, 2024
Innovation at COLFA: Digital Media influence
INNOVATION at COLFA: UTSA has launched an innovative Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Influence this fall, designed to prepare students for the fast-evolving digital media landscape. This new degree program, offered by the Department of Communication, aligns with UTSA's mission to provide world-class, career-ready education that meets the needs of modern industries.
October 8, 2024
Mexican American Studies professor talks music and empowerment
UTSA Today
The UTSA Libraries’ fall edition of Pizza & Research will observe both Hispanic Heritage Month and National Coming Out Day with a unique blend of plática and song to showcase the transformative power of music in challenging patriarchy, sexism and colonialism. Featured presenter Rachel Yvonne Cruz, UTSA Mexican American Studies assistant professor and music specialist, will share her personal story as a Queer woman, Xicanx and Latine navigating the intersections of ethnicity, culture and sexuality.
October 8, 2024
Tradiciones, Cultura y Danza
Sombrilla Magazine
UTSA faculty Sidury Christiansen speaks to Sombrilla Magazine about her passion for inspiring the art of ballet folklórico in new generations.
September 30, 2024
UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research releases September poll results
UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research
A scientific survey of likely voters in Bexar County says that two city charter amendments have low support among voters and there is no early leader in the 2025 San Antonio mayoral race. Additionally, voters have mixed opinions about new San Antonio Spurs and San Antonio Missions facilities according to the Bexar County Registered Voter Poll, which was conducted from September 11 to 16, 2024 by the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR).
September 26, 2024
Teresa Eckman, PhD publishes "The Art of Performative Transgression"
Teresa Eckmann, UNM PhD Art History alumna, studied under emerita Associate Professor of Chicano Art, Holly Barnet Sánchez. Currently serving as Associate Professor of Contemporary Latin American Art at UT San Antonio, Eckmann has recently released her second book titled “Julio Galán: The Art of Performative Transgression” published by UNM Press. In this publication, Eckmann explores Julio Galán’s complex production and artistic process.
September 24, 2024
Dr. Anne Hardgrove publishes chapter in Volume II of The Cambridge World History of Sexualities, Systems of Thought and Belief
Dr. Anne Hardgrove publishes "Post-Colonialism and Sexuality" in Volume II of The Cambridge World History of Sexualities, Systems of Thought and Belief
September 24, 2024
UTSA Arts hosts international exhibition on post-COVID culture
UTSA Today
UTSA Arts presents “Notes for Tomorrow,” a collection of artworks from around the world reflecting on the cultural transition ushered in the by the COVID-19 pandemic. The exhibition will run through Saturday, October 26, at the UTSA Main Art Gallery, located on the second floor of the Arts Building (ARTS 2.03.04).
September 20, 2024
UTSA hosts 30th Anniversary of Rio Bravo with Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
The College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) UTSA is partnering with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic production “Rio Bravo.”
September 3, 2024
Center for Dialogue & Deliberation promotes civil discourse in tumultuous times
UTSA Today
One of UTSA’s newest centers aims to meet a critical need for students. The Center for Dialogue & Deliberation (CDD) is equipping students with the skills and space they need to discuss difficult topics and disagree constructively.
September 1, 2024
Dr. Gregg L. Michel publishes book, Spying on Students, The FBI, Red Squads, and Student Activists in the 1960s South
Congratulations to Dr. Gregg Michel for the publication of his book, Spying on Students, The FBI, Red Squads, and Student Activists in the 1960s South, LSU Press.
August 27, 2024
UTSA to grow Texas’ creative arts workforce with new degree programs
UTSA Today
The phrase “content creation” is taking form in multiple ways at UTSA. This fall, the university is preparing UTSA students for the state’s growing creative workforce with inspiring new degree programs. These programs aim to drive the university’s efforts to recruit the state’s most creatively talented students.
August 26, 2024
Joe Harjo receives Joan Mitchell Fellowship
Joe Harjo, UTSA School of Art alum and faculty, is 1 of 15 recipients of this year's Joan Mitchell Foundation Fellowship.
August 23, 2024
UTSA’s new polling center taps local voter attitudes heading into upcoming elections
The UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) is gauging the attitudes of San Antonio voters as election season draws nearer—and gaining new insight into local political knowledge.
August 16, 2024
We Are All Connected
Somb
Malgorzata Oleszkiewicz-Peralba has spent four decades finding the unifying thread of the human spirit among cultures across the globe.
August 16, 2024
Taking Flight Across Cultures
Sombrilla Magazine
Through research and education with the San Antonio community, UTSA’s Urban Bird Project is tapping into the science and the treasured stories about the birds that live among us
August 16, 2024
Lights. Camera. Transformation!
Sombrilla Magazine
UTSA’s Film and Media Studies program is blazing trails in San Antonio and Hollywood while presenting students with exceptional career opportunities.
August 12, 2024
Dr. Omar Valerio-Jimenez publishes book, Remembering Conquest: Mexican Americans, Memory, and Citizenship
Congratulations to Dr. Omar Valerio-Jimenez for the publication of his book, Remembering Conquest: Mexican Americans, Memory, and Citizenship, by the University of North Carolina Press.
July 30, 2024
UTSA students engage in transatlantic dialogues and explore global dynamics in Germany
UTSA Today
Last week, a group of UTSA students had the once-in-a-lifetime experiential learning opportunity to travel to Darmstadt, Germany, to participate in a series of discussions on global order and contemporary issues in world politics with university, city and consulate representatives from Germany and San Antonio. The Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt), one of UTSA’s strategic global partners, hosted the event.
July 18, 2024
Earth Connection Film Festival to Be Hosted by Jessica Eise
The Earth Connection Film Festival, set to take place on July 20, 2024, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana, aims to inspire innovative solutions to the climate crisis through the power of storytelling. This festival blends science and the arts and is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
July 17, 2024
Blackwell School Formally Established as National Park Site
The Blackwell School once practiced de facto segregation, forcing Mexican American children to attend separate and underfunded schools from their white peers has now been recognized as a National historic landmark with the help of UTSA Alumni.
July 17, 2024
UTSA matches $500,000 gift from Kronkosky Charitable Foundation to commit $750,000 to Young Artist Programs
UTSA Today
UTSA has reached a milestone in matching funds from a $500,000 grant made by the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation to support and expand UTSA Arts’ Young Artist Programs. By adding matching gifts from other local and national foundations over the past year, the grant from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation will yield a total gift commitment of $750,000.
July 15, 2024
Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic
More than 20 high school students will sharpen their vocal and instrument skills this week at UTSA’s inaugural Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic. Presented by UTSA Arts and the UTSA School of Music,this new summer camp is the next step in UTSA’s commitment to serve as an education, research and training hub for contemporary musicians.
The four-day camp is scheduled today through Thursday, July 18, in the Arts Building on the UTSA Main Campus.
July 11, 2024
UTSA language program showcases linguistic legacies of Spanish-speaking communities in U.S.
UTSA Today
Working to help students develop their language skills while preserving the cultural and linguistic traditions of Spanish-speaking communities in San Antonio, the faculty behind UTSA’s Spanish as Heritage Language (SHL) program has been making some changes including offering new courses this fall.
July 10, 2024
Dr. Catherine Clinton Features on History Podcast
Howdy Roadrunners, are you looking for a history related listen this afternoon? Well we have you covered! Run on over and listen to the latest episode of the “America: A History” podcast hosted by Liam Heffernan featuring our very own professor of American history, Dr. Catherine Clinton!
July 10, 2024
New undergraduate program geared toward gamers to debut at UTSA this fall
UTSA Today
Students with a love for video games will have a chance to turn their hobby into an exciting career with the help of a new program later this year. A new Game Design program, to be housed in the UTSA University College, will offer its first classes in Fall 2024.
Game design is a new concentration within the multidisciplinary studies (MDST) bachelor’s degree programs. It will join about a dozen other prescribed degree tracks already available under the MDST umbrella.
July 3, 2024
The Institute of Politics Policy and History Presents "In The Room with Dr. Catherine Clinton," The Lincoln Series
Dr. Catherine Clinton, Denman Chair of American History at the University of Texas at San Antonio and The Institute of Politics Policy and History.
June 17, 2024
UTSA to offer inaugural mariachi summer camp this July
UTSA TODAY
This summer, mariachi students entering grades nine through 12 will have the unique opportunity to explore their musical passions and refine their skills at the 2024 UTSA Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic. The first summer camp at UTSA to focus on mariachi music, the program will provide a focused experience that dives into the genre’s culture and tradition. It will be presented by UTSA Arts and the UTSA School of Music.
June 17, 2024
Emilie Amrein named founding director of UTSA Arts
UTSA TODAY
UTSA has appointed Emilie Amrein as the founding director of UTSA Arts, a community arts initiative, and as associate dean for community engagement in the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA). Amrein will begin her role on July 1.
June 6, 2024
As UTSA’s first Jefferson Fellow, Navarro to advise State Department
UTSA Today
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has selected Sharon Navarro, professor of political science in the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts, as a 2024-2025 Jefferson Science Fellow. Navarro is one of nine in the country to receive this prestigious fellowship and the first from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
June 3, 2024
UTSA to bring democracy-focused learning-living experience to local high schoolers
UTSA TODAY
UTSA will host the Teagle Foundation’s “Knowledge for Freedom: Migration, Democracy and the American Experiment” (K4F) program for area high school students. This initiative aims to immerse 15 rising seniors from local high schools in a profound exploration of democracy, citizenship and the pivotal role of humanities and social sciences in society.
May 30, 2024
Nurturing artistic minds and enhancing San Antonio: 50 years with UTSA’s School of Art
The UTSA School of Art is celebrating a remarkable journey as San Antonio’s destination for affordable, high-quality arts education.
May 30, 2024
Celebrating 50 years of musical excellence: The School of Music at UTSA
This year, UTSA celebrates the 50th anniversary of its School of Music, a milestone that honors its long-standing legacy and influence in music in higher education.
May 15, 2024
New Center for Dialogue & Deliberation opens
Drs. Laurie Lewis and Sara DeTurk, both of the Department of Communication, led the effort to establish the Center for Dialogue & Deliberation (CDD) as an official UTSA Organized Research Unit, approved April 24, 2024, by the Deans Research Council (DRC).
May 15, 2024
Study Abroad at UTSA
UTSA Today highlights the wide variety of study abroad opportunities at the university and within COLFA, including over 20 university-led programs that are taught by dedicated faculty and staff who have the expertise to offer unique academic experiences abroad.
May 7, 2024
Juliet Wiersema featured on New Books Network Podcast
Professor Juliet Wiersema from the College of Liberal and Fine Arts at UTSA was recently featured on the New Books Network's "Latin American Studies" podcast to discuss her latest publication, "The History of a Periphery: Spanish Colonial Cartography from Colombia's Pacific Lowlands."
May 2, 2024
2024 University Excellence Awards
COLFA Faculty and Staff shined at this year's University Excellence Awards with 13 awardees from 8 different departments and schools recognized for their achievements this year!
April 24, 2024
Dr. Jorge Felipe-Gonzalez Presents, The World of Atlantic Slavery and the Slave Trade, Before 1619
UTSA History
April 23, 2024
UTSA School of Music celebrates 50 years with The VERDI Project
The UTSA Lyric Theatre presents the final production of its 2023-2024 season with The VERDI Project. The concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at the Edgewood Theater for Performing Arts in San Antonio.
April 22, 2024
‘We’re working on all fronts’: UTSA’s film and media program begins partnership with A24
KSAT NEWS
In the film world, the name A24 is often lauded. Now, it is synonymous with UTSA.
The university’s film and media program hosted a screening of “Sing Sing,” one of A24′s upcoming projects, last Wednesday — months before the film’s limited release.
April 18, 2024
UTSA Fulbright Scholars to study climate change, music in Iceland, Taiwan
Two faculty members have been inducted into the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program this year: Hongjie Xie, a professor in the UTSA Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Steven Parker, assistant professor of music in the UTSA School of Music.
April 9, 2024
Professor to discuss program that connects UTSA students with incarcerated scholars
Mel Webb, UTSA Philosophy and Classics professor of instruction, recently reached a milestone in their academic career: the fifth anniversary of an honors class that positively impacts the lives of UTSA students and incarcerated individuals at the Fabian Dominguez State Jail.
March 26, 2024
Dr. Kirsten Gardner featured on PBS, The Cancer Detectives
UTSA History
Dr. Kirsten Gardner appeared in a powerful, moving, and comprehensive look at the development of cancer screening for women and the key roles women played as medical activists in the PBS series The American Experience: Cancer Detectives.
January 30, 2024
Polling by new UTSA Center for Public Opinion research to gauge local voter perspectives
What issues do people in greater San Antonio care about? That’s what UTSA’s new Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) aims to discover.
Researchers established the new polling center to learn about the perspectives, opinions and priorities of people living in the San Antonio region.
January 26, 2024
Boundless: Storytelling in Texas Book Arts - School of Art Exhibition
The UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) and UTSA Arts present Boundless: Storytelling in Texas Book Arts. This compelling exhibition, open through February 23, 2024, features an array of contemporary artist books, illustrations and ’zines.
January 17, 2024
Linda Jenkins To Perform UTSA Faculty Debut In The Hall on Friday
The performance is set to be the second iteration of the UTSA School of Music's Maestría Faculty Artist Series, an initiative and branding launched in October 2023 to promote public interest in UTSA faculty artist performances. Jenkins' performance is the first of five new entries in the concert series that will be announced soon. Jenkins is joined by the school's collaborative pianist, Dr. Jeong Eun-Lee, who has been with the school since August 2022.
January 3, 2024
Tejano music pioneers expand their horizons in surprising ways
Shelly Lares and Patsy Torres each decided to build on their celebrity in ways some of their devoted fans may find surprising after making their marks in the Tejano music industry that they helped pioneer.
November 13, 2023
UTSA Lyric Theatre's Epigrams
The UTSA Lyric Theatre gives commissioned composers the opportunity to premiere their works and challenges student vocalists in its brand-new opera production, Epigrams, premiering this Friday.
November 3, 2023
"New Dimensions to the Margam" Brings Indic Dance to the Carver Center
UTSA Arts
Join Rama Vaidyanathan and co. for a fresh take and exciting performance of the Margam in traditional Bharatanatyam dance!
October 18, 2023
Tracy Cowden uses UTSA endowed professorship to harness healing power of music
Tracy Cowden is making great strides at UTSA at the intersection of music performance and healing.
October 17, 2023
UTSA and UNAM SA collaborate to celebrate “Time and Memory: Reflections on Juan O’Gorman, 1905-1982
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) today announced its collaboration with the San Antonio branch of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to celebrate the life and work of Juan O’Gorman, one of the greatest Mexican architects and artists of the twentieth century.
Your future starts here
Our COLFA Student Success Center is here to support you during your college career! From skill-building workshops to networking opportunities to study abroad, our center will help you acclimate yourself to UTSA and thrive.
