UTSA holds inaugural Mexican American Studies conference today

Promoting the growth and advancement of the next generation of Mexican American scholars and leaders is the goal for Melissa Renee Saeñz '24, UTSA MAS alumna and MAS Youth Conference publicity committee member.

"Planning this conference gives me hope," Saeñz said."It fills me with pride, seeing how our work - our activism, our advocacy and the commitment of scholars and faculty at places like UTSA, San Antonio College and higher education institutions across Yanaguana [San Antonio, Texas] - is making an impact. We are not just teaching history; we are claiming our history and demanding that our voices be heard in every classroom, from pre-K all the way through higher education."

The growth of Mexican American studies in Texas dates back to 2014, when MAS scholars and community members successfully campaigned for the state's approval of a Mexican American studies elective course.

Saldaña, co-director of the MAS Teachers' Academy, reports that this elective course saw a significant increase in enrollment last year, according to data the academy collected from the Texas Education Agency. Over 11,901 high school students across Texas were taking the class last year.

"The growth of Mexican American Studies in our state's public schools is a testament to the hard work and advocacy of scholars, educators and community members," Saldaña said. "This conference is an opportunity to celebrate that progress and inspire the next generation of MAS leaders and changemakers."

In addition to hosting students, this month's MAS Youth Conference will welcome UTSA alumni and faculty, providing a space for intergenerational exchanges and for sharing personal testimonies about the impact of Mexican American Studies.

The conference is part of a broader initiative funded by UTSA's $100,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to elevate diverse stories and perspectives through community engagement. With the funding, UTSA is also creating a digital testimonial series and a community-based lecture and discussion series featuring MAS faculty.