Commitment To First-Generation Student-Athletes

UTSA Athletics is a national leader in supporting first-generation student-athletes. 

In any given year, UTSA’s undergraduate student population is comprised of approximately 45 percent first-generation college students. The university provides a wide variety of programming and resources supporting first-generation students as part of the UTSA First-Generation & Transfer Student Center. In 2019, the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NAPSA) named UTSA a top university for its programming efforts to create a supportive and empowering campus for first-generation and transfer students.

The composition of UTSA’s student-athlete profile mirrors the institution. In the Spring 2025 semester, thirty-three percent – or 113 of the Roadrunners’ student-athletes – were the first in their families to attend college.

First Gen Patch

Beginning with the 2025-26 season, UTSA student-athletes who are first generation college students will wear special patches on their uniforms recognizing their accomplishment of being the first in their family to attend college. The Roadrunners are the first FBS program to implement such a uniform distinction. 

Lisa Campos and Sabrina Hillyer at Graduation

Lisa Campos grew up in the small southeastern Colorado town of Las Animas, where her parents Joe and Rose constantly impressed upon her the importance of education.

“They did not receive a formal education, but they wanted a much better life for me,” Campos said. “They knew that education would really change the trajectory of my life. They knew that education would open doors for me later in life and I was really fortunate that they always talked about how important getting a college degree is.”

Campos attended Colorado State University as a first-generation college student, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and later graduating with her Ed.D. in educational leadership from UTEP. She now serves as Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at UTSA, leading an athletics department that is setting the standard for supporting first-generation college student-athletes.

Learn more about Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos and the way in which UTSA Athletics supports First-Generation Student-Athletes. 

First-Generation Resources at UTSA

UTSA Athletics First-Generation Spotlights

Throughout the 2025-26 school year, GoUTSA.com will spotlight the department’s first-generation student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff.