UTSA launches Roadrunner Leadership and Professional Development Academy

SAN ANTONIO – UTSA Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics & Athletics Director Dr. Lisa Campos announced the launch of the Roadrunner Leadership and Professional Development Academy Wednesday afternoon.
 
"Developing student-athletes to be champions in competition, in academics and in life are core to UTSA Athletics," Campos said. "This program is another step in supporting our incredible students while fostering their growth and preparing them for life after sport. We want our student-athletes to be the most sought out UTSA graduates."
 
The Academy aims to support each student-athlete in five different areas, including navigating transitions, career readiness, personal wellness, community engagement and leadership.
 
This comprehensive program is designed to support UTSA student-athletes in their growth and development across all areas of life. The program prepares them with the knowledge, skills, tools and resources to be successful not only at UTSA, but also in their professional life after college athletics. The vision of the Academy is to create transformational experiences which positively impact the lives of UTSA student-athletes and their communities.
 
Transition Programming
Transition Programming provides support and resources for new student-athletes transitioning to UTSA, including a student-athlete section of UTSA's First Year Common Course, Academic Inquiry and Scholarship, as well as peer mentors.
 
Roadrunners Ready
Roadrunners Ready focuses on career readiness and professionalism to support student-athletes in navigating life after sports.
 
Personal Wellness
Personal Wellness provides resources and speakers focused on the social, financial, emotional, physical and environmental dimensions of wellness.
 
Roadrunners in Service Engagement (RISE)
RISE focuses on active community engagement aimed at enriching the lives of others and making a positive impact.
 
Roadrunner Excellence and Leadership (REAL) Institute
The inaugural Leadership Development Institute empowers UTSA student-athletes with self-awareness, knowledge and skills allowing them to excel as transformational leaders within their communities.
 
The institute is made up of 24 student-athletes that will meet monthly to further develop their leadership skills through set curriculum created in collaboration with campus partners.
 
The cohort consists of student-athletes nominated by coaches and staff for participation and selected by the leadership institute committee.

 
"The Leadership Institute is a fantastic addition to our curriculum and the overall development of our student-athletes off the field," said head soccer coach Derek Pittman. "Stefanie (Cisneros) has worked extremely hard to implement a program that aims to prepare our UTSA athletes for the challenges they face in and out of competition. This Institute will provide the resources our athletes need to become better leaders in an effort to help them learn critical problem-solving skills, write resumes, study for job interviews and prepare them for post-graduation opportunities. This program sets UTSA apart as a department as we aim to provide our athletes with the best experience possible as they develop into strong positive influences in our community."
 
"The structure of this academy is truly designed keeping the mission and values of our athletic department in mind," said Stefanie Cisneros, who leads the academy. "It will serve to support and empower our student-athletes through their journey at UTSA and beyond. We aim to provide transformative experiences through the Academy which will have positive impacts on their lives and their communities."
 
"The REAL program is going to be a great tool to help student athletes develop their leadership skills learned on the field and translate them into effective attributes they can use in the workforce," said senior soccer athlete, Sarah Bayhi. "I am excited to be a part of the program so I can refine my leadership skills while using my experience to mentor younger athletes."
 
"I'm really excited about the creation of this and that we are launching it this year," said Monte Castro, volleyball senior. "It gives us an opportunity to grow as people, not only as athletes, but also students. The fact that UTSA is investing in a program like this means they care about their students and don't see their athletes as numbers, but as members of the community that will give back. I really hope San Antonio will see the growth of UTSA student-athletes through this program."
 
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