Leadership provides updates on path to integration with UT Health San Antonio

NOVEMBER 15, 2024 - Editor's note: The following message was sent via email from UTSA President Taylor Eighmy and UT Health San Antonio Acting President Robert Hromas to all faculty, staff and students.

Last month, we shared several updates on the progress we're making on our path to integration with UT Health San Antonio. Today, we're writing to share the latest progress.

We're advancing steadily toward the outlined goals within phase one of our projected, multi-year timeline. The Integrated Steering Committee remains focused on the work required to achieve accreditation for the integrated institution and develop and launch a unified brand. As our work evolves, other phase one deliverables will be defined, and we will communicate those accordingly.

We're actively conducting site visits to aspirant peer institutions to assess integration strategies and best practices for scaling for growth. Last week, several members of the Integrated Steering Committee returned from a visit to the University of California San Diego. In the coming weeks, others will travel to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Illinois Chicago. Additionally, a virtual visit will be conducted with the University of California Los Angeles in early January.

Our task forces are continuing work and making steady progress toward their charges.

• Communications Task Force: Members are developing communication plans and messaging strategies to guide the efforts of forthcoming working groups that will tailor outreach to various stakeholders.
• Brand & Marketing Task Force: With approval from the Integrated Executive Committee, the task force has selected a highly-respected national branding agency partner, Prophet, to develop our world-class brand narrative, engage stakeholders, and roll out a high-impact, national awareness campaign.
• SACSCOC Accreditation Task Force: Based on positive feedback on our new, combined mission statement through each institution's shared governance process, the university will now present the statement to the UT System Board of Regents for approval at their next board meeting on November 20.
• Health Education Accreditation Task Force: Members have confirmed notification timelines and continue to coordinate with program directors and accrediting agencies on next steps in the process.

We're monitoring and responding to questions received through the integration website. In response, we've added one new FAQ about benefits and expanded information on an existing one regarding diplomas.

As we've shared previously, we need you to continue your great work to keep us moving forward. There is much work to be done, and we need each and every one of you to achieve our audacious goals.

Thank you for all that you do to make our university shine. We look forward to continuing our work together on our visionary path ahead.