Q&A: Alumni Association president encourages grads to stay engaged

How did your time at UTSA prepare you for your career?

JC: Like many UTSA students, I worked full time while going to school. I was able to get a job at Holt Development Services right out of high school. We did a lot of soft skills training for Holt and other entities like the Spurs. This gave me great perspective on organizational development and real-world experience that complemented my business classes at UTSA. After college, I got a job at Frost Bank, working on the banking side before moving into community reinvestment. I did that for several years, covering San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley regions, working with nonprofits, schools and municipalities. Then I received the opportunity to move to Broadway Bank and oversee community reinvestment and philanthropy.

What attracted you to UTSA and how did your education there influence your professional life?

JC: I was born and raised in San Antonio and went to Northside ISD schools. My dad attended UTSA, and I have memories of him going back to get his master's degree when I was in elementary school. My mom would bring us to campus, and we'd wait for him to get out of class. Seeing my father invest his time in continuing his education and investing in himself was very inspiring. Those memories made UTSA a natural choice for me. I wanted to continue in his footsteps and invest in myself the way I saw him invest in himself.

UTSA taught me the importance of dedication and hard work. The classes were challenging, and I had to balance studying with working full time. This work ethic translated into my professional life, where I learned that there's no skipping steps. You must invest time in learning and see the fruits of your labor. UTSA helped me learn how to do the work, devote time to it and not skip any steps.

When did you get involved with the Alumni Association and why is membership important?

JC: While UTSA has been a significant part of my life and my family's life, I didn't join the Alumni Association right away. Like many others, it was the creation of the football program in 2011 that brought us back to the university. My wife and I began with the Alumni Association Annual Membership in 2014, and we became Life Members in 2020. Following the UTSA 50^th Anniversary Gala, I became involved with the Association's Board of Directors and eventually took on the role of president. It's been a huge blessing to serve in various capacities and support the university in many ways.

One of the most amazing parts of being on the board in recent years has been launching the UTSA Birds Up Podcast. We highlight alumni stories, and it has been amazing to hear my own story reflected in so many others. Working and going to school can feel isolating, but hearing other successful people's stories made it clear that it's a common experience. It's not linear; there are steps back and forward. It has been inspiring to hear stories emblematic of the UTSA experience. The Alumni Association plays a crucial role in keeping graduates connected with the university. We've been very purposeful about being involved in students' lives from the beginning of their educational journey, and we want students to be familiar with our services and how we give back and serve the UTSA and San Antonio communities.