By Edmond Ortiz
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) has unveiled its newest downtown academic facility that university officials said will further boost the local talent pipeline, and help to further foster collaboration and innovation.
What you should know
An April 6 ribbon-cutting was held for San Pedro II, a 180,000-square-foot facility that will host:
*College of AI, Cyber and Computing, which serves more than 5,000 enrolled students in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computing and data science;
*USAA Student Success Center, which offers students personalized success coaching, mentoring and career preparation programming, and connectivity to AI, cyber and computing resources. This center received $2 million in funding from USAA;
*Najim Innovation District, where students can learn to create and grow business ventures to meet market needs, take part in community industry learning projects, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset;
*Center for Civic And Community-Engaged Leadership, which extends service, experiential learning and leadership programs to students who want to be able to form community partnerships as professionals; and the
*Valero Engagement Center, which will support industry engagement and conferences in the downtown business district. The center, which received a $1.5 million gift from Valero Energy Corp., is designed to also link students with potential employers.
San Pedro II sits next to San Pedro I, the university’s 167,000-square-foot, LEED-certified facility that opened in 2023. San Pedro I features seven classrooms, 16 research centers, symposium, conference and meeting spaces, and The Eatery cafe.
The College of AI, Cyber and Computing will expand from San Pedro I and UTSA’s main campus to much of San Pedro II. Both San Pedro I and II flank San Pedro Creek, a creekway that has been expanded and improved on the western edge of downtown over several years.
What they are saying
UTSA officials said the opening of San Pedro II represents additional resources and opportunities for a growing number of students who want to pursue studies focused on cybersecurity, data science and AI.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of data science jobs will increase 36% nationwide, and the number of cybersecurity jobs will rise 35% nationally between the years 2021 and 2031, a news release stated.
UTSA leaders added that San Pedro II marks further investment that the university is placing in San Antonio’s urban core. UTSA estimates it will have a downtown student population of 10,000 by 2028.
San Pedro I and II, also, are part of UTSA’s efforts to integrate the university’s presence downtown with neighboring outdoor venues, public art and green spaces, and creating a more supportive atmosphere for students, a news release stated. UTSA plans to install two sculptures by renowned Mexican artist Sebastian outside San Pedro II this summer.
“San Pedro II represents the future of UT San Antonio,” UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said in a statement. “By anchoring this investment downtown, we are intentionally and directly connecting talent with industry, government and community partners that drive workforce and economic development.”
“At UT San Antonio, we are committed to designing academic experiences that prepare students for what comes next,” Heather Shipley, UT San Antonio provost and senior executive vice president for academic affairs, added in a statement.
“San Pedro II advances our academic vision for a university that is deeply connected to place, people and purpose, ensuring our graduates are career-ready and prepared to lead in fast-evolving fields.”
