President POV
Like so many parents, I recently saw my daughter off as she began a new school year. This year is different, though, and it’s an exciting time for students, educators and our broader region. From pre-K students to college seniors, learners across San Antonio are embarking on journeys filled with promise and potential. We are on the cusp of an exhilarating new era in education for our region. Our educational landscape is evolving rapidly, with encouraging progress in key areas. More of our residents are earning degrees; the region’s largest university is about to become the nationally recognized powerhouse we know it is; and business and education leaders are working together to better prepare the future workforce. This momentum is the fruit of collective efforts to improve educational outcomes, from early childhood to the reskilling and upskilling of our workforce.
The San Antonio region is outpacing peer markets in improving educational attainment rates. In the five-year period ending in 2022, we increased educational attainment by more than six percentage points, according to U.S. Census data. While we still have ground to make up, it is important to note that the growth in the attainment rate outpaces our population growth rate. In other words, while we continue to grow our population and attract residents with college degrees, more of our current residents are earning degrees than in years prior.
The improved educational attainment rate is largely attributed to aligned regional efforts focused on removing barriers to higher education for residents. A major component of that has been the commitment from our 16 colleges and universities to address financial barriers. Institutions like The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMU-SA), Alamo Colleges, and Texas State University (TXST) have introduced Promise programs, making higher education more attainable and tackling poverty through enhanced social mobility. TXST, centrally located between San Antonio and Austin, is uniquely positioned to meet the workforce needs of the megaregion. I recently met with TXST leadership while they were in San Antonio to hear from business leaders on how the university could complement ongoing workforce development efforts.
The recent decision to merge UTSA with UT Health San Antonio marks a transformative moment for our community. This union will elevate UTSA to the ranks of premier global universities, attracting top-tier faculty, boosting research funding, and driving significant economic benefits for our region. It's a game-changing development that will reshape our educational and economic landscape for decades to come.
While these highlights showcase our momentum, they represent just a fraction of the innovative work underway to prepare our future workforce. We are united in pursuit of UP Partnership's vision to have 70% of students enter post-secondary degree and credential programs by 2030. This bold target reflects our community's commitment to collective progress and our belief in the power of education to transform lives, communities and economies.
As we embark on this new academic year, let's embrace the spirit of new beginnings and collaborative achievement that defines our community. We are not just adapting to change – we're driving it. Our shared commitment to educational excellence is laying the foundation for a brighter, more prosperous future for all.
Here's to a year of growth, discovery, and shared success. The future of our region’s education is bright, and together, we're writing its next inspiring chapter. Our journey toward educational excellence is far from over, but with each step forward, we're creating a stronger, more vibrant community for generations to come.
Greater Together,
Jenna Saucedo-Herrera
Regional Updates
Regional Partner Highlight: New Braunfels
New Braunfels is one of the fastest-growing communities in the country. The town straddles IH-35 between San Antonio and Austin and has a thriving economy, recreation opportunities, and a strong heritage.
In this month’s Regional Highlight, we take you to the community that offers big city amenities with small-town charm.
UTSA and UT Health: The Academic Powerhouse Union
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and UT Health San Antonio (UTHSA) will merge into one academic powerhouse, profoundly impacting the greater San Antonio, Texas region.
In the News
San Antonio-made Toyota Tundra hybrid posts best-ever sales despite overall July slump: Hybrids produced at the company’s San Antonio plant posted gains including the best-ever month for the Tundra pickup truck. Year to date, Toyota Motor North America’s sales are up 11% despite the slump in July. The Japanese auto giant’s hybrid vehicles continue to perform well in the U.S., representing 47.6% of total sales volume for July, the highest percentage ever.
SwRI scores $35.7 million contract to support Navy intelligence systems: Southwest Research Institute was awarded a $35.7 million contract from the U.S. Navy to support advanced communications and intelligence technologies for use at sea and in the air.
Luxury InterContinental hotel opens with dining options in downtown San Antonio: Three years after shuttering the aging Wyndham hotel on the River Walk, Scarlett Hotel Group and Trailbreak Partners have finished converting it to a luxury InterContinental hotel. The hotel managed by InterContinental Hotels Group, known as IHG Hotels & Resorts, has 390 rooms. The owners added a pool, cabanas and seating options to a previously empty rooftop area. The property also features four dining options, from grab-and-go to full-service dining.
UTSA to buy major office building vacated by USAA amid downtown San Antonio expansion: The University of Texas at San Antonio is set to buy prominent downtown office building One Riverwalk Place. The goal is to have some 10,000 students living, attending classes and conducting research downtown by 2028.
San Antonio firm to build industrial park next to commercial truck maker Navistar’s South Side plant: Merit Commercial Real Estate plans to build an industrial park next to commercial truck maker Navistar International Corp.’s plant. Merit plans to construct up to seven buildings totaling 1.1 million square feet and is targeting suppliers for Navistar International, which produces diesel and electric trucks.
UTSA, A&M to co-lead $67M center to secure U.S. research capabilities: The University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas A&M will co-lead a $67 million regional hub to safeguard the nation’s research capabilities from foreign interference.
Texas State University boosts international profile with Mexico campus: The home of the Bobcats is officially heading south of the border. Texas State University is expanding its educational reach into Mexico with a satellite campus that will fill the educational gap for a variety of programs and courses.
Delta could turn JetBlue's local exit into a big win: Boston, a bioscience hub, is a key market for San Antonio and its approximately 30,000 life sciences professionals. Delta can offer passengers flying from San Antonio to Boston access to more domestic and international connections than JetBlue can currently.
Amegy Bank execs prepare to move Central Texas headquarters downtown: The move is part of the bank’s plan for regional growth. David McGee, Amegy’s CEO for Central Texas, said the bank has doubled its presence in the region over the past five years. That growth will continue as the region continues to grow as a hub for international activity in Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Amegy expects its employees will move into the new space around February or March.
greater:SATX CEO: Corporate HQ push could catapult SA economy: The pivot is centered on the recruitment of regional, national and international headquarters operations and other administrative opportunities that could bring more high-wage jobs and heightened economic activity to the Alamo City. More than half of the projects in greater:SATX’s pipeline are office projects, namely in cybersecurity and financial services.