Launchpad: Voices of Innovation

Launchpad: Voices of UT San Antonio explores the bold new chapter in higher education. This podcast brings you front-row access to the voices who are shaping the future of The University of Texas at San Antonio and the world.

Produced by UT San Antonio's Office of University Strategic Communications, Launchpad features candid conversations with university leaders and faculty about innovative research and collaborative breakthroughs inspired by their personal stories.

This is the beginning. This is the launchpad.

In the fifth episode, Karl Miller Lugo, senior vice president for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at UT San Antonio, explains how integration will improve and strengthen UT San Antonio’s contributions to the Texas workforce. Lugo talks about how the university’s robust partnerships are helping students reach their full potential and how the university is building the region’s workforce today and into the future.

00:00 Intro00:17 Meet Karl Miller Lugo01:26 Karl’s background in higher education02:33 What does “advancement” means in higher ed03:42 Excitement for the new UT San Antonio05:03 How merger accelerates growth06:05 Alumni reach across Texas workforce07:50 Graduate impact on workforce in San Antonio09:32 Alumni network helps student success10:34 Giving your time to current students11:58 Donors supporting experiential learning14:18 Social mobility through education and support16:28 Future workforce growth through integration opportunities17:51 Workforce development provides immediate merger benefit19:12 Message to legacy institution alumni21:02 Closing thoughts

In the fourth episode, Heather Shipley, provost and senior executive vice president for Academic Affairs at UT San Antonio, talks about the academic trajectory of the new university. Shipley highlights potential opportunities for interdisciplinary studies and career-engaged learning, and how those efforts could lead to addressing workforce development needs in healthcare, technology and more.

0:00 Intro0:17 Introducing Dr. Heather Shipley2:49 Leading the UT San Antonio’s academic mission4:04 Evolving the academic vision5:43 Creating new academic opportunities7:40 Interdisciplinary studies and incorporating health9:20 Developing a blueprint for the future10:26 Behind the scenes into building the academic vision12:45 Getting feedback from students, faculty and staff14:37 Creating relationships to build the workforce16:22 Building opportunities in downtown17:27 The value of experiential learning opportunities18:46 Reflecting on the journey19:53 Goals for the future

In the third episode, Jennifer Potter, senior executive vice president for research and innovation at UT San Antonio, discusses the value and outlook for the university after combining two R1 research institutions into one. From eliminating barriers to inspiring interdisciplinary research, Potter says the endless possibilities of integration will turn ambition into impact.

0:00 Intro0:48 Introducing Dr. Jennifer Potter2:10 Learning more about the Sr. Executive VP for Research & Innovation3:02 Why research is important to everyday life8:58 Interdisciplinary research explores the unknown12:06 Exploring areas of growth13:39 Preparing for future research success16:00 The benefits of eliminating barriers 17:55 Game-changing impact on students20:06 How does South Texas benefit?21:36 Looking into the future and what’s ahead

In the second episode, UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy and Francisco Cigarroa, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system, discuss how bringing UTSA and UT Health San Antonio together as one world-class university will make lives better throughout the region. Listeners will hear how the integration will inspire exciting opportunities for collaboration in groundbreaking research and enhance the university’s role in addressing workforce needs in the city, in Texas and beyond.

0:00 Intro0:47 The new UT San Antonio3:35 Enhancing research and healthcare research8:00 Creating opportunities for collaboration11:34 Building the Texas workforce pipeline15:50 Reflecting on this monumental integration

In the series opener, UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy and Francisco Cigarroa, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system, discuss how the integration of two top-tier research institutions will create a world-class university for San Antonio.

Listeners will learn more about their vision for the newly-integrated university and how it is poised to bring transformational change to the San Antonio region through a growing impact on the healthcare and biosciences sector, innovative academic offerings, expanding research capabilities and greater opportunities to attract resources.

0:00 Intro0:49 The numbers behind a world-class university1:45 Meet the leader of UT San Antonio2:44 The journey to merger5:08 Creating a world-class university for San Antonio6:14 Strengthening higher education in Texas7:32 Elevating research and academics on Day 18:44 Improving healthcare and building the workforce