Joining us in the podcast studio this week is Chris Packham, a professor of astrophysics in the UTSA Department of Physics and Astronomy. Dr. Packham joins UTSA’s John Elizondo to share his excitement about the upcoming
total solar eclipse and what people can expect from the cosmic phenomenon passing over San Antonio and the Texas Hill County on Monday, April 8. The UTSA researcher will also discuss an ongoing STEM outreach project aimed at educating local K-12 students about the eclipse and his work with the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a next-generation telescope.

E2: Getting Kids Engaged in the Eclipse - Chris Packham

The ITC’s history in San Antonio runs deep—in fact, many of us have vivid childhood memories exploring the facility and exhibits from our K-12 school years. In the series opener, Monica Perales, ITC associate vice provost, will discuss the role the museum plays in collecting, preserving and sharing the state’s diverse cultural history. Take a peek at what’s in store for the museum as it prepares to move to its new temporary space in Frost Tower, located in the heart of San Antonio.

E1: Preserving the ITC’s Treasured Collections - Monica Perales

How do great museums and libraries support great cities and research universities? Explore this and other topics with Dean Hendrix, vice provost of the UTSA Libraries and University Librarian. Listen as Hendrix describes the relationship between the ITC and UTSA, shares the many opportunities that academic libraries and museums offer their communities, and imagines the potential of the ITC to reach learners of all ages in Texas and beyond.

E2: The Role of Tier One Museums & Libraries - Dean Hendrix

How can the ITC attract world-class exhibits to San Antonio? How can it inspire the next generation of storytellers? Join ITC: Museum of the Future as UTSA Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley explores the benefits of building an American Alliance of Museums-accredited museum in San Antonio.

E3: Building a World-class Museum for San Antonio - Heather Shipley

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.

Episode 1: Building a World-Class University for South Texas

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.

Episode 2: Merging Missions for a Prosperous 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.

Episode 3: Fueling Discovery and Research at UT San Antonio

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.

Episode 4: Enhancing the Blueprint for Student Success

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.

Episode 5: Unlocking Doors for the Texas Workforce

Welcome to UT San Antonio, a nationally recognized research university advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health.