University President Salvador Hector Ochoa revealed four academic programs that will be launched in the next three years on Aug. 20 in the Auditorium, where roughly 400 faculty and staff members gathered for the Convocation.<\/p>\n
Texas A&M University-San Antonio will offer the following degrees:\u00a0<\/p>\n
a Bachelor of Science in biomedical science in fall 2027, which has received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
\na Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in Fall 2028, which received approval from the Board of Regents (THECB approval pending).
\na Bachelor of Science in health care administration and a Bachelor of Science in construction engineering technology in fall 2029.
\na Bachelor of Science in computer engineering and a Ph.D. in integrative genetics and genomics in fall 2030.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe possibilities for our students are endless,\u201d Ochoa said. \u201cThere are many opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caroleena Mancilla, president of the Student Government Association, took the podium to welcome everyone, highlighted the SGA\u2019s achievements, their goals to help students and invited staff and faculty members to collaborate with SGA.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe represented students not only here at A&M-San Antonio, but at the Texas A&M University System, as well,\u201d Mancilla said. \u201cLast year showed us what the student government can accomplish when we are active, visible and willing to take what students tell us and turn it into action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ochoa unveiled the strategic plan, which comprises six goals. The theme for the plan is \u201cWe\u2019re All In,\u201d a motto that resounded at events the week before classes began.<\/p>\n
The university forms committees for each goal, each led by one of the vice presidents and another leader from a functional area critical to that goal.<\/p>\n
The goals are:<\/p>\n
Establish a distinctive academic identity characterized by excellence and innovation.
\nSupport student success.
\nIncrease enrollment, educational attainment and college readiness.
\nEngage meaningfully with the community to expand impact and inspire affinity.
\nCultivate an employee experience that enhances satisfaction, well-being and career growth.
\nEstablish A&M-San Antonio as a university of choice in Texas.<\/p>\n
Ochoa highlighted that the percentage of students in good standing increased from 87% to 90% from fall 2024 to spring 2026, and the average undergraduate GPA increased from 2.89 to 3.04.<\/p>\n
The Public Health Education building will also open this fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other area to really expand is our health area,\u201d Ochoa said. \u201cWhile I thought that we have a great public health program, we are going to grow. With our initiative, we want to add these two programs: biomedical sciences and healthcare administration, because the same data is saying that there immediately is a shortage of health professionals.\u201c<\/p>\n
There was a $5,000 donation to the General\u2019s Store by Mars. The store will expand to a resource center staffed by students. Mars and H-E-B employees volunteered Aug. 21 to assemble and distribute bags of non-perishable food items to students, according to a post<\/a> on the university\u2019s Strategic Communications site, \u201cAM-SA Today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are excited for the new Resource Center, which will be a space in the Central Academic Building, where The General\u2019s Store and Career Closet will be relocating to,\u201d Sarah McBride, associate vice president for university communications, said.<\/p>\n McBride said there is no final commitment on other donations at this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ochoa said 75% of A&M-San Antonio students come from Bexar County and 98% from Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBut for universities starting its 18th year, we have students from 26 states, Puerto Rico and 35 countries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ochoa mentioned the university\u2019s growth over time. In 2009, it had a 2,343 enrollment rate and 7,801 in 2026.<\/p>\n