One year ago, the UT System Board of Regents announced its intent to merge the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) to create a powerhouse institution for our city that will serve as a model for public higher education nationwide.
In late August, the merger was affirmed, and we now begin a new era of excellence, launching as UT San Antonio — the third-largest public research university in Texas, and one that will train the next generation of leaders and power the industries of tomorrow.
As we usher in a new era for our university, we also remain steadfast in our shared commitment to making lives better — for our students, faculty, staff, patients and community at large. We recognize that as one, we are greater than the sum of our parts, and we have the opportunity and responsibility to create impact at scale for our city.
I have an incredible leadership team, and to a person, we all believe deeply in our mission. We know it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for each of us to serve our new university, and we do not take this responsibility lightly.
Now one UT San Antonio serves more than 42,000 students; employs more than 17,000 professionals, which includes almost 4,000 faculty and 1,400 health care providers; and boasts $486 million in research expenditures and more than 500 active clinical trials.
While this scope and the comprehensiveness of our academic and health components are significant, what is most important is how we choose to grow and lead with intention.
When I arrived here in 2017, I said that great cities need great universities. We now find ourselves at this inflection point toward greatness. We will live up to this notion by leaning into an environment of excellence to attract top talent, generate research partnerships and advancement, create new knowledge and grow the talent pipeline for the Texas workforce of the future.
Moreover, our new university embodies the belief that education is the greatest health initiative of all time. As we invest in education, research and innovation, and the advancement of health care, we remain committed to balancing access and excellence.
Ultimately, our success will be measured by those we serve and by how effectively we empower and support our students, patients and community to realize their fullest ambition. When we achieve that, we will all rise together.
The launch of our new university is not just an academic milestone; it’s the beginning of a powerful era where academics, research and health care converge to serve society at the highest level. It is an opportunity to seize our shared momentum and create impact at scale.
UT San Antonio has a place for every ambition. We will continue to lead boldly and decisively, and together, we will transform the future for our students, their families and generations of San Antonians to come.
UT San Antonio’s time is now, and we will optimize it.
Taylor Eighmy is the president of UT San Antonio, the third-largest research university in Texas and a nationally recognized, Carnegie R1-designated institution.
A version of this op-ed appeared in the San Antonio Express-News.
