Editor's Choice: UTSA SGA president welcomes Roadrunners to campus

Editor's Note: The following is a back-to-class message from UTSA Student Government Association President Aydan Villarreal.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 -To all my new Roadrunners, welcome to UTSA! To my returning peers, welcome back to the nest! My name is Aydan Villarreal, and I have the truly distinct honor of serving as your 2024-2025 student body president. It's such a joy to see everyone back on campus learning and creating amazing things.

UTSA is a remarkable Tier One research institution and a cornerstone of the San Antonio community. Thanks to our vibrant and diverse student body, we are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution. As Roadrunners, your contributions are vital to our continued success. Every day, you help shape a brighter future for UTSA.

Now onto how I work for you. The UTSA Student Government Association (SGA) is a sponsored student organization dedicated to supporting UTSA students. Alongside my fantastic executive cabinet, my role is to be your primary advocate and voice. We're here to help you access resources, address concerns and foster an inclusive environment where every student feels welcomed and valued.

While SGA has room for growth, I'm excited to be stepping into this role with a clear vision for improvement. There's plenty of work ahead, but you can trust that we are fully committed to doing everything we can to empower you and enhance your experience. My plan for SGA this year includes advocating for your wellbeing, improving student life, and realigning SGA to its purpose. When SGA thrives, Roadrunners thrive.

We know that Roadrunners want to be heard. This is your voice, vision and student body.

I have some advice to share with you, my fellow Roadrunners.

Tip #1: Ask questions

UTSA is a large institution. If you ever need directions to a class or have a question about a resource, just ask a fellow Roadrunner. Everyone is here to support you and help you succeed.

Tip #2: Engage with others

I love to #GetInvolved but I understand that so many of our Roadrunners are busy with their families, jobs and of course, their education.

Being involved at UTSA can happen in many ways. Maybe you go to your college student success center to learn about an internship opportunity. Maybe you attend a resume workshop in our career center. Maybe you join an organization or become an officer. Maybe you attend a cycling class at the campus recreation center. Maybe you go to a UTSA athletics game. Hopefully you attend an SGA meeting and engage with your peers in class. However you engage with other Roadrunners, you are contributing to what makes UTSA a great place to work, learn live and discover.

Tip #3: Take care of yourself.

While SGA is dedicated to advocating for your well-being, we already have many resources at our disposal as students. The TimelyCare app offers 24/7 mental health support in various formats, and our Wellness 360 clinic provides in-person counseling sessions. Best of all, these resources are available to students at no cost.

Your Student Government Association is here to serve you. We understand how busy your lives are, and we're dedicated to supporting your success as a student and as an individual. Together we will build a Roadrunner community that is informed, engaged, and proud.

I can't wait to see you on campus. Birds up!

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