This month, we're excited to launch a new Growler feature!

On the last Tuesday of each month, we'll introduce the newest members of the Texas A&M University–San Antonio family. Please join us in giving them a warm Jaguar welcome as they begin making an impact across our campus.

June New Hires

Sabrenea Garrison, Admissions Counselor 

Dee Dee Gonzalez-Alcoser, Director of Development, Office of University Advancement and External Relations

Mayvin Hernandez, Admissions Counselor 

Roy Jimenez, Admissions Counselor 

Stephanie Ray, Librarian 

Venki Uddameri, Professor & Chair, College of Arts And Sciences

July New Hires

Nickolas Goforth, Academic Advisor 

Anthony Hudgins, Administrative Associate, Department of Computational, Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences   

Kimberly Lopez, Associate Director, Office of Admissions

Luis Olivares, Assistant Soccer Coach

Lisa Ortiz, Summer Faculty, Educator Preparation Program

Lauryn Sierra, Human Resources Generalist 

Jovani Simon, Academic Advisor 

Destiny Stivers, Manager, Office of University Advancement and External Relations

Roberto Tucker, Assistant Soccer Coach

Jim Vasquez, Chief Information Officer, Office of the VP For Business Affairs

Guido Verbeck, Vice President for Research, Office Of The President 

Lisa Vrana, Summer Faculty, Educator Preparation Program

We're glad you're here and look forward to the contributions each of you will make to our Jaguar community. Welcome to Texas A&M University–San Antonio!

Open Enrollment runs through July 31. Now is the perfect time to review your benefits, update your beneficiaries, complete your wellness activities to earn incentives, and re-enroll in your Flexible Spending Account (if applicable). Check the Texas A&M University webpage on Open Enrollment to learn more about changes to your benefits and premiums. 

For any questions, please reach out to our benefits team at employeebenefits@tamusa.edu.

As A&M–San Antonio prepares for Weeks of Welcome and the start of the new semester, the Cisneros Institute is seeking volunteers to welcome new and returning students.

Volunteers will serve one-hour shifts at information booths on Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the University Seal and Classroom Hall locations. The Cisneros Institute will provide the tools and information needed to answer student questions.

The College of Education & Human Development advisors have moved to the Public Health and Education Building 108.

🎶Ready to turn up the volume?🔊 Help us build the ultimate back-to-school playlist! Submit your favorite song that keeps you motivated, brings the energy, and makes you want to sing. Classic throwbacks or new trending summer songs welcome. 

One of your tunes could end up in our first-ever employees' Fall 2026 playlist!

Your hub for health and wellness resources for mental & physical well being.

Please mark your calendar and join us as we kick off the new academic year together. More information and a formal invitation to follow.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, 1:30 p.m.

Auditorium

Join CareLink and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for Salud Por Vida, a six-part health and wellness education series focused on preventing and managing Type II Diabetes and Hypertension.

Participants will learn about these conditions, healthy lifestyle practices, nutrition, physical activity, and medication management. Sessions will include practical tips for making informed health choices and a discussion with a pharmacist about medications used to treat these conditions.

All sessions will be held online from 2–3 p.m.

Session Schedule:

Dr. Felix Morales, associate dean for admissions at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, will visit A&M–San Antonio to speak with students about the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) and the medical school admissions process. The presentation is open to A&M–San Antonio students, faculty, and invited guests from nearby institutions.

For questions, contact A&M–San Antonio JAMP Faculty Director, Dr. Qi Han. 

Wednesday, July 29 | 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Science & Technology Building 141 

Volunteers are needed to help residents move into their new campus home and assist with other duties. Please note: volunteers may be required to spend some time working outside. 

The majority of volunteers will help with a valet-style drop-off of items at the curb, with cars immediately leaving to go park in designated lots. Volunteers will load students' belongings into bins at the curb, take them to their rooms, unload their items, and repeat the process throughout the day.

All volunteers will receive a move-in guide and must attend a volunteer orientation before move-in day.

Friday, Aug. 14
Student Housing

Visit JagSync for more upcoming events.

Dr. Claire Braaten, professor of criminology and criminal justice, has received a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to conduct research in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam during summer 2027. Her research will examine how governments are responding to cyber-enabled labor trafficking and transnational scam operations, helping advance global efforts to combat organized cybercrime and human trafficking. 

For the debut of Jaguar Journal, a monthly series in which faculty provide insight into current news and trends, Dr. Megan Wise de Valdez discusses the New World screwworm. The insect is infecting livestock in Texas, creating concern among ranchers and the agriculture industry. Wise de Valdez provides scientific and historical context about this pest and details what's being done to reduce its numbers and harmful impact.  

Check out A&M-SA Today for more University news and featured stories.

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in "Learning with ITS," a weekly one-hour Teams meeting where we explore the departments, processes, people, and resources that move the University forward. Presentations are made by employees to employees on topics ranging from advanced Excel skills to an overview of digital accessibility to the mission and organization of the College of Education and Human Development.

Contact Gloria Galvan or Lionel Cassin with any questions or if you'd like to make a presentation.

Talk Saves Lives is a discussion-based training that the Student Counseling Center can provide to students, staff, or faculty that is in line with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP) standards.

The training is one hour and is aimed at not only reducing the stigma related to mental health but also increasing awareness of suicide prevention strategies. Please give the Student Counseling Center two to four weeks' notice for this requested training. 

Note: Be sure to select Presentation under type of event to request: Suicide Prevention Training (60 minutes). 

The Growler is the campus newsletter for faculty and staff of Texas A&M-San Antonio. The Growler is published every Tuesday from the start of the semester, providing insight into A&M-SA news, events, and announcements. If you would like to promote a University-wide event or announcement in The Growler, submit this form by 5 p.m. CT on a Monday the week before publication.