Engineering and Integrated Design donors see impact of their philanthropy

"It's encouraging to see so many people invested in the success and future of our students," said Taylor Phelps, director of development for Klesse College. "Without the support offered, our students likely would not have as much flexibility to maximize their college experience and engage in critical opportunities for academic, professional and personal development. The impact of these scholarships is immense."

Klesse College's curricula are designed to encourage students to engage in hands-on experiential learning. Options such as internships, undergraduate research projects, community service or study abroad allow students to pair their classroom-acquired knowledge with the problem-solving skills and perseverance that will prepare them for the challenges of their chosen professions or to pursue an advanced degree.

As part of its strategic plan, UTSA aims for 75% of its undergraduate students to participate in some type of experiential learning by the time they graduate.

However, a significant portion of UTSA's undergraduate students work full-time due to financial circumstances, making these enriching but often unpaid opportunities difficult to access.

"I wouldn't be the student I am, or even weeks away from graduation, without the scholarships I've received while at UTSA," said Alexandra Malone, a senior studying biomedical engineering. "They allowed me opportunities I otherwise wouldn't have as I would have been working. I took on internships and was involved in student organizations and undergraduate research."

"This scholarship has meant to the world to me," added Tanya Cruz, also a senior biomedical engineering student. "It has provided freedom to work less and to pursue other opportunities such as research on and off campus and taking on internships here in San Antonio. These have allowed me to seek experiences that prepare me for my goal of enrolling in a Ph.D. program and to make sure that's what I want to do. Thank you so much to our donors who are fostering the next generations of leaders, it means so much to us."

Klesse College students supported by scholarships in the 2021-2022 academic year ranged from first-year undergraduates to doctoral students.

• Undergraduates: 75 students (five freshmen, 18 sophomores, 22 juniors and 40 seniors)
• Post-baccalaureate: 2 students
• Master's: 11 students