{"id":12291,"date":"2026-01-30T19:02:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T19:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/?p=12291"},"modified":"2026-02-02T17:47:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:47:40","slug":"enriching-the-student-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/enriching-the-student-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Enriching the student experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Across the institution\u2019s health professional schools, a network of programs and people aims to ensure that students get the most from their education<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system at UT Health San Antonio, has often expressed his belief that education is the greatest health initiative of all time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This consequential statement is at the heart of the institution\u2019s commitment to help shape the next generation of scientists and healthcare providers with great care, intention and purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">From opportunities for high school students to get a jump-start on becoming health professionals, to peer mentorships and career development initiatives, the university\u2019s health professional schools provide programs to help students connect with others and get the resources and information they need to thrive during their educational journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Read on to learn how these programs undergird the student experience to build personal resilience and professional confidence \u2014 and encourage faculty to broaden their mentorship skills as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-12294 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/e57e0d25-3de2-4051-bc31-db16495f9b2c-1-350x275-1-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/e57e0d25-3de2-4051-bc31-db16495f9b2c-1-350x275-1-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/e57e0d25-3de2-4051-bc31-db16495f9b2c-1-350x275-1-150x118.jpg 150w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/e57e0d25-3de2-4051-bc31-db16495f9b2c-1-350x275-1-348x275.jpg 348w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/e57e0d25-3de2-4051-bc31-db16495f9b2c-1-350x275-1.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/peer-mentoring-program-offers-comfort-community-for-incoming-graduate-students\/\">Peer mentoring program offers comfort, community for incoming graduate students <\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ishita Tarnekar was a bit scared and overwhelmed as an international student starting her doctoral program at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But not for long.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thanks to the school\u2019s Transition Peer Mentor Program for masters and doctoral students, she got her footing with guidance from her mentor, also an international student, on a variety of topics \u2014 from filling out documents to building her network and finding funded faculty looking for students to join their research lab.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Click <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/peer-mentoring-program-offers-comfort-community-for-incoming-graduate-students\/\">here<\/a><\/span> to read the full article.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-12295 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/SPH-Assoc-Cropped-350x275-1-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/SPH-Assoc-Cropped-350x275-1-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/SPH-Assoc-Cropped-350x275-1-150x118.jpg 150w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/SPH-Assoc-Cropped-350x275-1-348x275.jpg 348w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/SPH-Assoc-Cropped-350x275-1.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/public-health-student-association-nurtures-connection-across-disciplines\/\">Public Health Student Association nurtures connection across disciplines<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a member of the first Masters of Public Health (MPH) cohort at the recently named Kate Marmion School of Public Health, Luis Gutierrez wanted to be part of an organization that provides students a supportive, inclusive environment that encourages learning, professional development and networking opportunities in the field of public health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This made Gutierrez the perfect candidate to helm the school\u2019s Public Health Student Association. He also had a lot of previous experience holding executive roles as an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at San Antonio\u2019s College of Science \u2014 from vice president and speaker of the house to treasurer and student leader.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">With the support of the School of Public Health, Gutierrez hit the ground running.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Click<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"> <a style=\"color: #ff6600;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/public-health-student-association-nurtures-connection-across-disciplines\/\">here<\/a><\/span> to read the full article<\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-12296 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/2016-Dental-Building-01-1024x731-1-350x275-1-300x236.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/2016-Dental-Building-01-1024x731-1-350x275-1-300x236.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/2016-Dental-Building-01-1024x731-1-350x275-1-150x118.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/2016-Dental-Building-01-1024x731-1-350x275-1-348x275.jpeg 348w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/2016-Dental-Building-01-1024x731-1-350x275-1.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/center-of-excellence-helps-dental-students-achieve-and-succeed\/\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Center of excellence helps dental students achieve and succeed<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A center of excellence at the School of Dentistry is helping recruit dental students from underserved communities in South Texas and retain them with programs to bolster their educational success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cAs the only dental school located in South Texas, we help provide oral healthcare to the region through student clinical rotations and by training the professionals who will return and provide care to their communities,\u201d said Juanita Lozano-Pineda, DDS, MPH, associate professor and the center\u2019s director.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThat is where our focus has been through this center of excellence. We want to help recruit and retain these individuals through guidance and participation in programs we have in the School of Dentistry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Click <a href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/center-of-excellence-helps-dental-students-achieve-and-succeed\/\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">here<\/span><\/a> to read the full article.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-12297 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/Thien-Bui-Grad-350x275-1-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/Thien-Bui-Grad-350x275-1-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/Thien-Bui-Grad-350x275-1-150x118.jpg 150w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/Thien-Bui-Grad-350x275-1-348x275.jpg 348w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/Thien-Bui-Grad-350x275-1.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/medical-sciences-bachelors-program-prepares-students-for-graduate-programs\/\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Medical sciences bachelor\u2019s program prepares students for graduate programs<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Students seeking health professional careers can get a jumpstart on their academic pursuits through the School of Health Professions\u2019 Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences (BSMS) program, part of the school\u2019s Department of Health Sciences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bachelor\u2019s program provides a rigorous science curriculum, clinical practicums and personalized support to help students prepare their applications to graduate medical, dental, physician assistant and other health science professional degree programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe designed the curriculum to be very intensive and focused on medical sciences,\u201d said Ahmad Galaleldeen, PhD, professor and program director of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences Program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe provide classes such as anatomy and physiology with a medical twist. We also added courses like clinical chemistry, patient assessment and a practicum in which students shadow physicians, physician assistants or providers in whichever profession and specialty they are interested in. We partner with providers here at UT Health San Antonio, at University Hospital and on the private side. Our students graduate from the program ready to submit their applications.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Click <span style=\"color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/medical-sciences-bachelors-program-prepares-students-for-graduate-programs\/\">here<\/a><\/span> to read the full article.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-12298 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/School-of-Nursing_Florence-2-350x275-1-300x236.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/School-of-Nursing_Florence-2-350x275-1-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/School-of-Nursing_Florence-2-350x275-1-150x118.jpg 150w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/School-of-Nursing_Florence-2-350x275-1-348x275.jpg 348w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/School-of-Nursing_Florence-2-350x275-1.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/school-of-nursings-student-success-center-supports-the-whole-person\/\">School of Nursing\u2019s Student Success Center supports the \u2018whole person\u2019 <\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The School of Nursing offers a holistic approach to helping students succeed, with academic assistance, psychosocial support and professional and student leadership development opportunities \u2014 all through the school\u2019s Student Success Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This centralized hub gives students easy access to a wealth of resources \u2014 from peer mentoring, tutoring and academic workshops, to student wellness, nursing scholarships, student organizations, career readiness and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Since the center opened in 2014, the school has experienced an increase in student retention, student engagement and pass rates for the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, which reached 98% the year after the center was opened, said Vanessa Bogr\u00e1n Meling, EdD, MBA, associate dean of Admissions, Student Success and Engagement, and assistant research professor in the School of Nursing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe\u2019re educating not just students\u2019 minds, but the whole person, ensuring they have the support, confidence and skills to thrive,\u201d Meling said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Click <span style=\"color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/school-of-nursings-student-success-center-supports-the-whole-person\/\">here<\/a><\/span> to read the full article.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-12299 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/GMP_UTHealth_DrDiogenes_Endodontics_Lg.jpg-350x275-1-300x236.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/GMP_UTHealth_DrDiogenes_Endodontics_Lg.jpg-350x275-1-300x236.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/GMP_UTHealth_DrDiogenes_Endodontics_Lg.jpg-350x275-1-150x118.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/GMP_UTHealth_DrDiogenes_Endodontics_Lg.jpg-350x275-1-348x275.jpeg 348w, https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/01\/GMP_UTHealth_DrDiogenes_Endodontics_Lg.jpg-350x275-1.jpeg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/research-mentoring-academy-provides-faculty-mentors-opportunities-to-hone-their-skills\/\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Research Mentoring Academy provides faculty mentors opportunities to hone their skills<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Anibal Diogenes, DDS, PhD, knows a thing or two about good mentorship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After all, he has mentored dozens of students at the university and received the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) Mentor of the Year award in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI\u2019m a product of [strong mentorship] because I was trained here,\u201d said Diogenes, professor and chair of the Department of Endodontics. \u201cI know how important it is for somebody\u2019s future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After being recognized as GSBS Mentor of the Year, Diogenes received automatic membership into the Research Mentoring Academy \u2014 an independent organization that supports junior and senior faculty researchers in order to facilitate and reinforce the importance of strong mentoring relationships. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, in collaboration with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, launched the academy in 2018 to provide faculty members from across the university\u2019s health professional schools an opportunity to hone their mentorship skills to give research trainees the best possible learning experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, Diogenes took the helm as chair of the academy, now 11 faculty research members strong, and is looking to expand its reach by inviting faculty researchers from across UT San Antonio to join and continue to build on the university\u2019s robust culture of mentorship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Click <span style=\"color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.uthscsa.edu\/research-mentoring-academy-provides-faculty-mentors-opportunities-to-hone-their-skills\/\">here<\/a><\/span> to read the full article.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From opportunities for high school students to get a jump-start on becoming health professionals, to peer mentorships and career development initiatives, the university\u2019s health professional schools provide programs to help students connect with others and get the resources and information they need to thrive during their educational journey. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":634,"featured_media":12292,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[294],"class_list":["post-12291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Enriching the student experience - Mission Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From opportunities for high school students to get a jump-start on becoming health professionals, to peer mentorships and career development initiatives, the health professional schools of The University of Texas at San Antonio provide programs to help students connect with others and get the resources and information they need to thrive during their educational journey.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/enriching-the-student-experience\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Enriching the student experience - Mission Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From opportunities for high school students to get a jump-start on becoming health 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