Badass of the Week: Sam Gonzales

Facilitating student success is a no-brainer for faculty at any university, but as Vice President for Student Affairs at UTSA, Sam Gonzales prioritizes this above all else. Sam oversees 18 different departments at the university, including Admissions, Orientation, Financial Aid, Student Services, Registrar, Student Affairs, Enrollment Services, and Intercollegiate Athletics. Over his 40-year career at UTSA, Sam oversaw several significant initiatives including new intramural and football practice fields; a new residence hall; the streamlining of Student Affairs; and the development of a new enrollment and recruitment strategy. Under his leadership, Sam’s teams have been honored with the Alcohol EDU national award for Excellence in Prevention Programming in 2007, the UTSA Richard S. Howe Excellence in Service to Undergraduate Students Award, and the UTSA Team Spirit Award.

Sam earned a Master of Education Degree in Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Our Lady of the Lake University. Additionally, he was a Kellogg Fellow in Education Policy with the Institute of Educational Leadership at The University of Texas at Austin. Sam consistently improves programs, services, events and “big picture” initiatives, such as Campus Recreation, UTSA’s Career Center, Counseling Services, Student Disability Services, Student Health Initiatives, amongst many others. Sam Gonzales and his department are key to the welfare and holistic development of all students at UTSA. Keep up the great work, Sam! Go Roadrunners!