The UT San Antonio community is celebrating the accomplishments of Veronica Salazar, senior executive vice president for enterprise development and transformation, as she shares news of her retirement on Dec. 31.
Earlier Tuesday, UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy provided an update to the university community via email, praising Salazar’s contributions to UT San Antonio during her tenure.
“We are so incredibly grateful for Veronica’s leadership, which will leave a permanent positive imprint on our institution,” Eighmy said. “Veronica has expertly guided the strategic vision and growth of our university — in particular our downtown expansion and integration efforts — all while keeping a focus on supporting employee and student success. She will be truly missed as she begins this wonderful new journey.”
Salazar joined the university in 2019, overseeing university operations and administration in the division of Business Affairs. She served as chief financial officer and supported the institution through the COVID pandemic as well as considerable university enrollment, real estate and construction growth.
Her efforts include leadership over the $91.8 million San Pedro I development and ongoing construction of the $131 million San Pedro II projects. In 2022, she oversaw integration with the Southwest School of Art, and in 2024 began leading efforts focused on the university’s integration with UT Health Science Center San Antonio.
“We are so incredibly grateful for Veronica’s leadership, which will leave a permanent positive imprint on our institution.” — Taylor Eighmy
“Veronica has served as a trusted colleague and partner, always focused on our mission to support student success and transform lives through education,” said Heather Shipley, provost and senior executive vice president for academic affairs. “Her considerable contributions are a tangible reminder of her positive impact on our systems, facilities, and most importantly — our people.”
At the end of the fall semester, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Andrea Marks will assume leadership for Business Affairs. The transition was previously announced in spring 2025 as part of the university’s functional integration efforts. Significant progress has been made in preparation for this transition. As part of his campus update, Eighmy shared that a national search will be launched during the spring semester for a leader to oversee enterprise development and transformation for the university.
Prior to joining UT San Antonio, Salazar served as the Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer at the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) where she made significant contributions to the success and momentum of the Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion initiative.
Before her tenure at UC Merced, Salazar began her academic career at The University of Texas at Brownsville, now The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, spending 12 years in senior leadership roles focused on finance, budget development, facilities, capital planning and project management.
“Veronica and the dedicated leadership team she has developed in Business Affairs have positioned the university for continued financial and operational success,” Eighmy said. “As we look to the future, we wish Veronica our very best in this exciting new chapter of her life and commit to continuing her legacy of leadership across our university.”
