SAN ANTONIO - If you take a stroll along the San Antonio Riverwalk you'll be able to check out a new art installation celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month One of the heroes you'll find is in the style of Captain Marvel Maria Antonietta Berriozabal is a community advocate for affordable housing and the first Latina elected to the San Antonio city council 2023 — UTSA has created the Manuel P and María Antonietta Berriozábal Endowed Chair to honor and recognize the couple for their outstanding commitment to creating equitable opportunities for students of all backgrounds The Berriozabál’s work has increased students’ access to higher education and to the science The endowment will support research-related activities and educational programming designed to inspire students to consider future careers in STEM Throughout their respective careers and beyond the Berriozábals have given back to the UTSA and San Antonio communities they have each been individually honored for their contributions The endowment signifies the first time the pair will be formally recognized together in their long history of impactful work to support a college-going culture in San Antonio Manuel and Maria Berriozábal have a long history of serving the San Antonio community The new endowment signifies the first time the pair will be formally recognized together “Manuel and María have been incredible champions for access and mobility in San Antonio and the impact of their work is evident through the many stories of students university and community members whose lives were changed by the Berriozábals I am thrilled that we will now be recognizing their legacy together,” said UTSA Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy “This new position will bring greater opportunities to the student population they have dedicated their lives to helping and will further create a pipeline of talented STEM professionals.” UTSA is planning to hire a new faculty position in mathematics to fill the Manuel P and María Antonietta Berriozábal Endowed Chair by Fall 2023 The Berriozábals met on the first day of spring in 1972 when Manuel was visiting San Antonio from New Orleans to obtain a professorship at UTSA His good friend and Jesuit priest Edmundo Rodriguez invited him to a community meeting organized by Archbishop Patrick Flores The meeting broke out into focus groups and Manuel and María found themselves in a discussion about the Mexicano community and their needs By the time he left town to return to New Orleans just a few days later they both knew they would spend the rest of their lives together They were married three years later on August 5 “That meeting was the gift of our lives It was in that tiny focus group that we both learned that our community and their welfare was significant to both of us,” said María Manuel was born in San Antonio and raised in Independence he and Manuel’s mother impressed upon him the importance of learning and receiving an education he loved math and was especially encouraged and inspired by one of his seventh grade teachers who always made sure he knew he could be successful earning a Bachelor of Science from Rockhurst College a Master of Science from the University of Notre Dame and his Ph.D from the University of California at Los Angeles After teaching at noteworthy universities including Loyola Marymount the UTSA College of Sciences welcomed him as a professor of mathematics The program became so well regarded that universities across the country have adopted the model and it now exists at 33 sites in 25 cities and seven states A proud daughter of Mexican immigrants who came to the United States during the Mexican Revolution of 1910 María Antonietta Berriozábal has been contributing to the community of San Antonio for over 60 years.  she became the first Latina elected to the San Antonio City Council María spoke out for investments in the people and neighborhoods of San Antonio; in support of rights of women and people of color; and for protecting the region’s water she ran for mayor of San Antonio and was  narrowly defeated Her impressive race was a first in a major city of the United States gaining national attention for María’s unique platform of investment in human capital she was awarded a fellowship at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics where she shared the story of her campaign with students as an example of public service that represents the ideals of democracy María has been a founder and co-founder of Latina women’s organizations locally and nationally and is a pioneer in organizing people at the grassroots level Her work on numerous boards and commissions has taken her throughout the United States and abroad María continues to lend support to grassroots organizations and individuals that promote social and environmental justice María chronicles her life’s journey spiritual and political – and grounding it in the story of her ancestors and immigrant parents The book was published in the fall of 2012 María believes deeply in encouraging young people to receive their education and make a difference in the world She received her own bachelor’s degree in political science from UTSA in 1979 and was named the UTSA Alumnus of the Year in 1982 María used her political platform to collaborate with UTSA students administrators and elected officials to make the university more accessible She organized a cadre of community leaders “Juntos for UTSA,” that worked to improve university recruitment and retention and provide services for inner-city students she appointed Manuel to the Higher Education Sub-committee of Mayor Henry Cisneros’ “Target 90: Goals for San Antonio” initiative which led Manuel to include a recommendation for the construction of the UTSA Downtown Campus in the sub-committee’s final report This was one of the earliest collaborations by community and university leaders that would eventually lead to the opening of the UTSA Downtown Campus in 1997 “Manuel and María’s countless contributions over the years have been invaluable to our city and university,” said UTSA Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Karl Miller Lugo “Their undeniable commitment to advancing underserved communities encouraging diversity in STEM and creating equitable access to higher education has changed the lives of countless individuals across San Antonio Their work represents a special form of philanthropy – one that connects people inspires communities and creates a lasting impact on future generations.”    Manuel and María have fueled extraordinary change they have been generous with financial gifts to UTSA and other organizations that promote the values of justice “I am proud to be knitted to my community and to so many people who work so that life can be better for others,” said María “I am incredibly proud that my closest and most active partner in my pursuits and those of our community is my beloved husband who has forged a model for justice seeking Join the doctoral candidates for the Doctoral Conferreal Ceremony and celebrate their accomplishments Celebrate the graduates from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business College of Education and Human Development Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and University College Celebrate the graduates from the College for Health College of Liberal and Fine Arts and College of Sciences Submit an Event The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery As an institution of access and excellence UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas To be a premier public research university providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsJessie Degollado SAN ANTONIO – Now 81 Maria Antonietta Berriozabal holds a cherished family photo with pride The first Latina elected in 1981 to the San Antonio City Council Berriozabal wrote about her ancestors in her book Daughter of Immigrants,” published in 2012 Berriozabal said her family had just buried one of their children If others would see what she sees in the faces of her immigrant ancestors “We would address that issue and do what it takes to solve it.” Berriozabal said her lifelong commitment to helping others has been guided by the question “Who needs somebody to advocate for them that is not being heard?” After a decade on the city council representing the people of District 1 Berriozabal said she saw the needs that still existed in the city from infrastructure and housing to the welfare of children and seniors she became the first Latina to run for mayor of San Antonio Berriozabal said she was concerned about the direction the rapidly growing city was taking Berriozabal said political opponents would say She voted against zoning over the aquifer.” Her race for mayor in 1991 ended in a tight run-off against Nelson Wolff who went on to become Bexar County judge after serving as mayor economic development is investing in the minds of people You empower a family — what a community we would have.” “I don’t think I really left the life because I have continued doing community work and working on important issues Berriozabal has been an outspoken advocate for immigrants the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project recently gave her its Lifetime Achievement Award were recently honored with an endowed chair to support STEM-based education Berriozabal Pre-freshman Engineering Program has expanded into many school districts and universities throughout the U.S “Over 50,000 children have gone through that program just in Texas Berriozabal said her husband didn’t get involved in what she was doing “To have your partner cheering you every step of the way is an incredible on top of all the love that he has given me.” Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved Email Newsletters KSAT RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us KSAT Internships Careers at KSAT Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Isaías Berriozabal-Martinez, the 23-year-old chef-owner behind El Compadre, South Philly Barbacoa’s torta extension unexpectedly and tragically passed away on January 11 from unknown causes son of Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller — chef-owners of Philly’s critically acclaimed taco shop — immigrated to the U.S in 2014 and got his start in the industry manning the restaurant’s taco station Berriozabal-Martinez had trouble breathing on the morning of January 11 before he collapsed in his parents’ home Over the next seven nights (January 13-20) Martinez and Miller will be hosting vigils Berriozábal helped create equitable opportunities for access to higher education 2023­ — The University of Texas at San Antonio today announced it has named its highly respected STEM-based summer program the “Dr Berriozábal Prefreshman Engineering Program” in honor of the immeasurable impact of founding faculty member and Professor Emeritus of Mathematics The program naming recognizes Berriozábal’s innovation and commitment to advancing San Antonio through the promotion of science engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for middle and high school students and expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds to access a college degree Berriozábal joined UTSA as a mathematics professor in 1976 he established the Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) to create a pathway for Hispanic youth in San Antonio to participate in educational opportunities in STEM areas The pre-college program continues to deliver summer enrichment opportunities to middle and high school students encouraging them to pursue college degrees in STEM fields and contributing to the development of a diverse pipeline of STEM professionals Berriozábal has demonstrated a deep passion for the education and advancement of younger generations As the impact of PREP continues to grow with every graduating class it is only appropriate to name a program of this caliber after its visionary leader and founder,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy “PREP represents UTSA’s mission to educate train and mentor the next generation to develop a robust workforce pipeline for the future of San Antonio and all of Texas.” Berriozábal collaborated with local university and community leaders to establish the program at UTSA and integrate it into San Antonio’s school districts local and private sources to provide the program to youth at no cost the program expanded to more than 125 school districts across Texas Berriozábal remained director of the program for 25 years traveling to each site throughout the city Following his administration of the program Berriozábal included PREP scholars in his senior level math courses at UTSA maintaining a connection to the program he created and has forever cherished with over 65% of participants identifying as Hispanic and 53% as female. Equally as important the program has become so well regarded that universities across the country have adopted the model PREP now exists at 33 sites in 25 cities and seven states engineering and math were fields of study that could launch successful careers in industries critical to the advancement of every community across the U.S He also recognized the value of diversity in these fields and believed that encouraging those in underserved communities to pursue STEM studies would foster creativity and equitable solutions to the challenges faced by society Berriozábal has left a legacy at UTSA He made critical STEM programming accessible and more equitable for young people in San Antonio,” said Araceli Martinez Ortiz UTSA’s Microsoft Endowed Professor of Engineering and director of PREP “To honor the firm foundation he created for PREP our university will continue his good work to expand PREP to every student possible and further diversify the professional landscape in STEM fields It is fitting that PREP will now be named in his honor.” Berriozábal spent his career teaching at some of the most respected higher education institutions in the country former Mayor Julián Castro recognized Berriozábal’s contributions to the community by renaming Café College San Antonio's college access and guidance center Berriozábal Café College works with the San Antonio Education Partnership to provide in-person and virtual advising to local residents who want to attend college furthering access to higher education.  Berriozábal’s other awards and accolades include: Berriozábal was a passionate educator who was committed to fostering diversity in the STEM fields. I worked for PREP and with him closely in the early 1990s and witnessed his impact on the young minds of our community I saw him help middle and high school students who never saw themselves with a future in STEM gain a lifelong love for math and science and flourish in high-tech careers," said Greg Cortez, UTSA assistant vice president of Advancement Information and Analytics "He has changed the lives of so many families across the nation.” supported his mission to create equitable opportunities for access to higher education and likewise led a life of public service she became the first Latina to be elected to the San Antonio City Council she ran a historic campaign for Mayor of San Antonio but narrowly lost She continued collaborating with others to advocate for the DREAM Act and addressed issues of gentrification She founded Hispana Unidas – a woman’s organization dedicated to their education and community service served as a delegate to the United Nations’ Fourth World Conference in Beijing and was appointed U.S Representative to the Inter American Commission on Women Daughter of Immigrants,” to tell the story of her parents whose families fled the Mexican Revolution and settled in Lockhart Manuel and María Berriozábal celebrate the naming of the Dr the Berriozábals regularly give back to the San Antonio community and have supported a variety of causes over the years including the American Mathematical Society The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) They say that they look forward to seeing PREP UTSA and San Antonio continue to grow and help students reach their full potential "Manuel and Maria Berriozábal are true advocates and dedicated public servants They have invested their lives in the growth and advancement of a city they love and cherish," said Kimberly Andrews Espy provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs Berriozábal is a visionary who created an avenue for our university to model a program that inspires young generations to believe that college is possible PREP has generated a pipeline of talented youth across San Antonio the state of Texas and beyond who are prepared for successful transitions to universities like UTSA region and state are stronger because of the Berriozábals’ work.” News Manuel and María Berriozábal impacted higher ed and the San Antonio community 2023 — Manuel and María Berriozábal have dedicated their lives to ensuring an equitable future for all in their beloved city of San Antonio the Berriozábals have been affecting positive change throughout our community From creating accessible education programming such as the Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) at UTSA to amplifying the voices of others through political activism their countless contributions have improved the lives of thousands—ranging in all ages and from all underserved communities.   Watch this video to learn more about the incredible impact they have made at UTSA and throughout the city Manuel and María Berriozábal have dedicated their lives to ensuring an equitable future for all in their beloved city of San Antonio UTSA Main Campus, North Paseo Building, 4th Floor210-458-4130 We are committed to helping friends and supporters of The University of Texas at San Antonio engage with the university in ways that will create a bold future for our students we can help you make a lasting impact on Roadrunner Nation developmental and regenerative biology departments Camacho attended Garfield High School in East Los Angeles and was a student of Jaime Escalante the math teacher whose story inspired the 1988 film “Stand and Deliver.” The Berriozábal Endowed Chair recognizes Manuel and María’s innovation and commitment to advancing San Antonio through the promotion of STEM education for middle and high school students and expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds to access a college degree Maria supported his mission to create equitable opportunities for access to higher education and likewise led a life of public service “The Berriozábals have been active advocates for equity and access in higher education,” Camacho said “I am one data point of the impact that efforts like theirs have made in this space Their work has been pivotal in transforming our communities I’m humbled by this recognition and opportunity to exemplify the work the Berriozábals have done They give me something to aspire to and I feel very honored and fortunate to be associated with their legacy.” Camacho is committed to advancing equitable access to education and the STEM fields “My passion for mathematics, my passion for helping others and teaching came from what I learned from Jaime Escalante,” Camacho said in a 2011 interview on Arizona PBS Camacho is a truly exceptional scholar and a leader in her field,” said Heather Shipley UTSA interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “With her unwavering commitment to student success I am confident she will honor the legacy of the Berriozábals as she inspires and creates opportunities for UTSA’s first-generation and underrepresented students in STEM to succeed.” Camacho spent 16 years at Arizona State University (ASU) most recently as a professor in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences she co-directed multiple summer research programs dedicated to the recruitment and training of women underrepresented minorities and others who might not have had the opportunity to pursue higher education in STEM “I enjoy seeing the impact that my leadership service and mentoring have in eliminating structural barriers for the advancement of women and individuals from marginalized communities and individuals who are disadvantaged or who don’t have access to basic resources or information,” said Camacho Camacho is a recipient of several national and regional awards for her merits in leadership These recognitions include the 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) from the White House the 2019 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mentor Award the 2020 SACNAS Presidential Award and the 2023 Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) M In 2022 she was awarded a year-long Fulbright Research Scholarship to conduct research at L’Institut de la Vision-Sorbonne Université in Paris In addition to funding Camacho’s new faculty position the endowment will support her research-related activities and educational programming designed to inspire students to consider future careers in STEM Camacho’s research includes using mathematical modeling to understand physiological processes Her current work focuses on modeling and investigating healthy and diseased retinas at the cellular and molecular levels She pioneered a modeling approach to investigate the steps of aerobic glycolysis in the retina’s cone photoreceptors which allow humans to differentiate between colors and contribute to high visual acuity provides new insights into methods that can reduce vision impairment. Her work is reported in more than 30 peer-reviewed publications with several including mathematical models and the investigation of healthy and diseases retinas She published the first set of models that directly addressed photoreceptor degeneration a leading cause of visual impairment in adults and established a new framework to help mitigate blindness.  She has received $7,290,571 in funding to support her research and the advancement of faculty and student success in STEM Camacho migrated to the United States at the age of seven and grew up with her family in East Los Angeles Camacho became the first in her family to graduate from high school and then went on to graduate magna cum laude with a B.A in applied mathematics from Cornell University After finishing her studies, Camacho secured a postdoctoral position at Los Alamos National Laboratory and then a tenure-track position at Loyola Marymount University before she was recruited to ASU. Camacho is one of nearly 100 new faculty members joining UTSA this fall who joins the Department of Mathematics as a professor “What has thoroughly impressed me about UTSA is the university’s commitment to student success and to empowering its surrounding communities in San Antonio “I am proud to be among the outstanding faculty at UTSA who put both students and the advancement of local communities first.” “Reflecting on our nation’s trends and needs it's an exciting time to be at UTSA,” added Camacho UTSA currently has more than 85 endowed chairs, professorships and fellowships that recognize the scholarship and research of the university’s highest achieving faculty joined the faculty of the University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) College of Sciences in 1976 which has earned national recognition and become known as the Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP) the program spans seven states and has reached over 50,000 students in Texas alone Berriozábal always had a distinct passion for mathematics and a commitment to creating opportunities for student success particularly those in underserved communities which he also worked with in Louisiana prior to returning to his hometown of San Antonio an article in a local San Antonio Magazine caught his attention “The Mexican-American community is not where engineers come from anyway.” The statement fueled his already firm commitment to reaching the youth of Hispanic communities across San Antonio Berriozábal created PREP in 1979 and served as the program’s director through 2003 PREP is a challenging summer enrichment academic program for middle and high school students that emphasizes abstract reasoning and exposes participants to careers through professional speakers and trips to job sites Berriozábal encouraged students who attended PREP to enroll at UTSA after they graduated high school He found that students who participated in PREP did significantly better at the university than those who had not DC-based Quality Education for Minorities Network named Dr Berriozábal as one of the six “Giants in Science.” Soon following this award in February he became a recipient of the San Antonio "I Have a Dream" Foundation Endeavors Award in May of that same year Berriozábal’s additional awards and achievements include the American Society for Cell Biology Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education in 2009; the University of Texas System Chancellor's Council Innovations in Education Award in 2007; and the Mathematical Association of America Yueh-Gin Gung and Dr Hu Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics in 2001 The influential professor was also named an inaugural fellow of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) for outstanding contributions to the creation His specific PREP program accolades include the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring; a Texas Higher Education Star Award; citations from the Texas Legislature; and a congressionally mandated Building Engineering and Science Talent (BEST) Project citation An author of more than 30 publications in journals and conference proceedings in topology and mathematics education Berriozábal has made presentations at 60 local and national conferences surrounding STEM education topics he spoke before a congressional subcommittee on basic research and the Texas Lieutenant Governor's Special Commission on 21st Century Colleges and Universities.Thanks to the tireless work of Dr the success of the PREP program is so well regarded that other universities across the country have adapted the model and the program now exists at 33 sites in 25 cities and seven states as of 2019 He continues to reside in San Antonio and remains partially involved with the PREP program - his wonderful gift to future students at UTSA and across the country Beloved by his students and fellow faculty he taught at UTSA longer than most professors because of his passion for the field of mathematics and student success Development WriterProfessional Awards and Citations:1990 Society of Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists Engineering Educator of the Year Award.1992 Society of Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists Annual BRAVO Award.1992 Ford Motor Company Hispanic Salute to Education Award.1994 Hispanic Heritage Award in Education.1998 Quality Education for Minorities Giants in Science Award.1998 San Antonio Chapter of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education Education Leadership Excellence Award.2000 Charter inductee of the Texas Science Hall of Fame along with two famous surgeons and four Nobel Laureates.2001 Recipient of the Mathematical Association of America Yueh-Gin Gung and Dr Hu Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics This association’s most prestigious award is presented annually to one of its 24,000 members.2001 Hispanic Business Magazine 958)2007 Texas House of Representatives Commendation (Resolution No 1799)2009 American Society for Cell Biology Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education2012 San Antonio City Council voted to rename Café College the Dr Berriozábal Café College2013 Induction as an Inaugural Fellow of the American Mathematical Society2013 Mexican American Unity Council Spirit of Education Achievement Award (May 16 2013)2013 Texas House of Representatives Commendation (13R332 – May 14 2013) San Antonio PREP and TexPREP1980 San Antonio PREP San Antonio PREP was designated an outstanding CETA Summer Youth Program by the U.S TexPREP was designated as an exemplary EESA Program by the Department of Education Patterson Award for rendering outstanding service in the interest of and the support of the minority community.1987 TexPREP 480 commended the work of TexPrep.1991 San Antonio PREP Department of Energy presented San Antonio PREP a Mathematics/Science Leadership Development and Recognition Program Award.1992 TexPREP TexPREP was selected as a 1992 Star of Texas in the Lone Star Showcase and Salute to Community Service.1992 San Antonio PREP The Business Higher Education Forum of the American Council on Education awarded San Antonio PREP a Certificate of Merit in the 1992 Anderson Medal Awards Program.1993 TexPREP Texas Senate commended the work of TexPREP (Resolution #215).1995 TexPREP TexPREP received the Corporate Fund for Children Best of Texas Two-Step Award.1997 San Antonio PREP San Antonio PREP received a Presidential Award in Washington and Engineering Mentoring.1998 San Antonio PREP National Latino Children’s Institute Un Futuro Brillante Award.2001 TexPREP The Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network selected TexPREP as a recipient of the MSE Exemplary Education Partnership Award.2002 TexPREP Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board selected TexPREP as a recipient of the Texas Higher Education Star Award.2004 TexPREP was cited by the Congressionally Mandated BEST (Building Engineering and Science Talent) Project as one of twenty programs nationally to increase the diversity of women and persons with disabilities in the nation’s technical talent pool 2015 PREP was recognized as a BRIGHT SPOT in Hispanic Education by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, Dr joined the faculty of The University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) College of Sciences in 1976 He created this program while working with underserved communities in Louisiana before his return to his hometown of San Antonio the program spans seven states and has reached over 50,000 students in Texas alone.   particularly for those in underserved communities Berriozábal created PREP and served as the program’s director through 2003 DC-based Quality Education for Minorities Network named Berriozábal as one of the six “Giants in Science.” Soon following this award in February he became a recipient of the San Antonio "I Have a Dream" Foundation Endeavors Award in Mhttps://www.utsa.edu/giving/why-give/impact-stories/faculty-manuel-berriozabal-honored-by-utsa.htmlay of that same year Additional awards and achievements Berriozábal has received include the American Society for Cell Biology Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education in 2009; the University of Texas System Chancellor's Council Innovations in Education Award in 2007; and the Mathematical Association of America Yueh-Gin Gung and Dr communication and utilization of mathematics in 2013 he spoke before a congressional subcommittee on basic research and the Texas Lieutenant Governor's Special Commission on 21st Century Colleges and Universities.  Thanks to the tireless work of Berriozábal the success of the PREP program is so well regarded that other universities across the country have adapted the model and the program now exists at 33 sites in 25 cities and seven states as of 2019.  he taught at UTSA longer than most professors because of his passion for student success and the field of mathematics more than 200 middle school students and family members gathered at the UTSA Main Campus for Day of Discovery an interactive event designed to inspire young learners and introduce them to future career pathways families gained valuable insights into higher education and the opportunities available at UTSA UTSA has hosted family-focused events aimed at fostering a college-going culture within families across San Antonio Previously held at the Downtown Campus as Family Summit this year’s reimagined event — now known as Day of Discovery — took place at the Main Campus for the first time and focused heavily on career exploration and María Antonietta Berriozábal Endowed Chair at UTSA and a professor in the College of Sciences Camacho shared her journey as a first-generation college graduate who has become a highly accomplished mathematical biologist and educator showing up and working hard resonated with students and families emphasizing the transformative power of higher education families participated in interactive sessions spanning various fields where they engaged with UTSA faculty and students to explore how education can align with their career interests providing families with access to information and support services to help guide students toward college and career readiness “As middle school families begin to select endorsement pathways for high school it’s important they have the resources to support their children’s aspirations,” said Taylor Cole UTSA assistant director of community outreach and organizer of the event “UTSA is proud to host Day of Discovery as part of our commitment to educational access and community engagement.” UTSA coordinated with several partners including Communities in Schools and Education Service Center-Region 20 to host the event received a tote bag and had the chance to win H-E-B gift cards Day of Discovery is presented by the UTSA Office of Community Outreach and Transfer Recruitment within the division of Strategic Enrollment As part of UTSA’s broader mission to create pathways to higher education the university offers year-round initiatives such as the Mobile Go Center and classroom presentations to support college awareness and preparation As a nationally recognized leader in social mobility, UTSA is committed to increasing educational access and economic opportunity for students of all backgrounds. The university has been designated with the prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Classification since 2015 affirming its deep partnerships with the San Antonio community to support student success and workforce development Join us for a compelling plática honoring the legacy of William C a pivotal figure in shaping the history of Latino and Hispanic participation in the American voting process Discover the man behind the movement as we delve into his life and contributions beyond his renowned work in voting rights and the founding of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) commemorating what would have been Velasquez's 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of SVREP’s founding making this plática a poignant tribute to his enduring influence UTSA Vice President for University Relations UTSA Special Collections will curate a pop-up exhibit for the evening showcasing photographs and accomplishments of Velásquez throughout his life The exhibit will focus on the man outside the organization that was his life's work and a deeper understanding of Velásquez's lasting impact on American society Antojitos y bebidas will accompany a Tequila toast to close out the evening UTSA Downtown CampusBuena Vista Theater501 W César E Chávez Blvd Front Desk: (210) 458-4574 Located on the 2nd floor of the Buena Vista Building Phone: (210) 458-2440 More Info | Send Email Located on the 1st floor of the AET building on the Main Campus Phone: (210) 458-6256 More Info | Send Email Phone: (210) 458-5505/2228 More Info | Send Email 2023 — Editor’s note: The following message was sent today via email from UTSA Peter T Flawn Chair and Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley to all faculty and staff: I want to extend a warm welcome and hope that you got a well-deserved break this summer The fall semester brings with it excitement as we welcome new and returning students It's a time to come together as a community of dedicated faculty and staff ready to inspire and empower our students to reach new heights of knowledge and personal growth This summer brought changes to our Academic Affairs leadership While it was bittersweet to bid farewell to Provost Kimberly Espy after five successful years we were excited to celebrate her appointment as president at Wayne State University We are thankful for her leadership in getting us to this place I am excited to build upon the great work we have achieved and to continue the momentum to our future goals and María Antonietta Berriozábal Endowed Chair and professor in the UTSA College of Sciences’ mathematics and neuroscience will help us reach new levels of academic excellence and enrich our academic landscape The first in her family to graduate from high school and a first-generation college student Camacho graduated magna cum laude with a B.A in Applied Mathematics from Cornell University Most recently she served three years as a program director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) where she supported several of its programs that advance racial and gender equity in STEM disciplines the Racial Equity in STEM Education program and the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program Camacho spent 16 years at Arizona State University most recently as a professor in the School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences I am excited to get to know the stories of each of our outstanding new faculty members and work to support them and all our faculty throughout their UTSA careers we’ve always touted that our faculty and staff are exceptional and we are even more proud when the most talented candidates for open leadership positions come from within our ranks we’re excited to start the year with several new home-grown leaders in place and congratulate them on their new roles: In addition to new faces, we also start the fall with several new degree programs: we can provide opportunities for UTSA students to gain the valuable knowledge and skills necessary to meet the growing needs of our community get hands-on experience in preparation for jobs and graduate programs and to see career paths available in their area of study We remain committed to growing a culture of continuous improvement so that UTSA can continue to recruit and support the best graduate students and postdoctoral researchers and prepare them to be leaders in their fields I encourage you to actively participate and take advantage of these resources to further enrich your professional and personal journey Wishing you a successful and fulfilling fall semester A man shot to death at a gas station in DeLeon Springs on Tuesday was part of a "beat down," the culmination of a fight that started the day before A Volusia County Sheriff's Office incident report shows that the person shot and killed was Tony Berriozabal On Tuesday investigators said the incident was some ongoing beef between two factions The fatal fight occurred shortly before 8 p.m on Tuesday outside the Valero gas station at 5145 U.S 17 where a body could be seen lying near the gas pumps covered up with a yellow tarp Sheriff Mike Chitwood said that investigators believe that the shooting at the gas station was the culmination of a fight that started on Monday "We believe that there is something that happened on Monday between the two factions and there are some relatives involved in this as well," Chitwood said Chitwood said that whether "it was by happenstance or it was arranged," these two groups met at the Valero gas station "Whether there were text messages or phone calls made to bring more people in but eventually a beat down occurs," Chitwood said Berriozabal pulls out a knife and stabs Romero's brother who was putting a beating on Berriozabal's father "Eventually the guy who does the stabbing is armed with a knife and his father seemed to be getting the worst end of the fight," Chitwood said "The guy with the knife eventually stabs somebody and that person who is stabbed his brother retrieves a firearm from his car and shoots and kills the guy with the knife." "This occurred over what again," Chitwood stated Chitwood said Jesus Romero called deputies after the shooting stayed at the scene and then called his lawyer tells a dispatcher he didn't go to the gas station to kill but to defend his nephew who was jumped by Berriozabal "I did not come here to kill nobody," Jesus Romero said in the 9-1-1 call "And then he got a knife and he started stabbing my brother I had to shoot," Jesus Romero said to a dispatcher "He was trying to kill my brother because he stabbed him and I just defended him." A UTSA Summer Art Studio attendee builds a clay sculpture The program offers eight weeks of unique classes for students between the ages of 7 and 18 2024 — As the traditional school year winds down are available to youth from kindergarten through high school as well as young adults The camps offer participants a place to try something new while having fun and spending quality time with the university’s outstanding students The summer camps are also an opportunity for UTSA to bolster the city’s college-going culture by offering participants the chance to explore the university’s campuses Throughout the summer, UTSA will host half-day and full-day camps at its Main, Downtown and Southwest campuses. Some camps will last a few days while others will run from one to several weeks. Families and others interested can register by visiting the UTSA Summer Camp website The Dr. Manuel P. Berriozabal Pre-freshman Engineering Program (PREP) This academically rigorous mathematics-based summer enrichment program begins on Monday and prepares middle and high school students for advanced studies in science Participants learn about problem-solving systems strengthen their research and study skills Criminal Justice Summer Camp The camp exposes rising high school juniors rising seniors and incoming college freshman to the many facets of the criminal justice system Students will have opportunities to learn the functions of police in society apply scientific theories to criminal investigations by examining a mock crime scene and visit the Federal and County Courthouses Bexar County Emergency Management Office and SAPD Public Safety headquarters Cyber Warriors: A Comprehensive Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools and Techniques The program introduces students to the world of white-hat hacking and penetration testing — two methods that cybersecurity researchers use to identify security vulnerabilities in an organization’s network Students will receive a comprehensive introduction of foundational cybersecurity principles then learn about the approaches used to compromise and secure vulnerable computer and network systems Archaeology 101 & 201 Summer Camps Campers will participate in outdoor and indoor activities while exploring archaeological discoveries the camp will give students between the ages of 9 and 13 the chance to engage in a variety of topics Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design Camps Join UTSA for a variety of engineering camps that engage high school students in engineering fields through workshops Campers can choose from a variety of programs including the Rocketry and Robotics Camp and a How It’s Made program for budding engineers they will gain hands-on insight from UTSA’s faculty Monarch Butterfly Ecology Camp The camp features indoor and outdoor activities that will teach participants how to identify plants and insects how to press plants and how to make their own insect collections Hydrology (All About Water) Camp Students will discover the unique underground water systems in Bexar County while learning about ground water drinking water and the unique creatures that live in the Edwards Aquifer UTSA Sports and Athletics Camps UTSA Athletics hosts a variety of age- and sport-specific camps for boys and girls Youth Performance Program This UTSA Campus Recreation camp brings young athletes between the ages of 12 and 17 closer to their goals through a four-week program that benefits sprinting Youth and Teen Summer Art Studios The Summer Art Studio program is the most comprehensive summer arts experience for students in San Antonio offering eight weeks of unique classes for students between the ages of 7 and 18 Summer Band Institute This camp offers a comprehensive music experience focused on developing the individual musician as well as offering a series of unique and fun opportunities The camp is open to middle-school and high-school band students from across the country Percussion Camp Students will be immersed in the exciting world of percussion to develop technique and musicality improve their sight-reading abilities and learn new styles of music Participants will attend interactive masterclasses music technology sessions and ensemble experiences led by UTSA faculty and guest instructors UTSA All-State Choir Camp The UTSA All-State Choir Camp continues to be a leader in the Texas All-State Choir preparatory process Clinicians from prominent Texas high school music programs along with UTSA’s own superb conductors and faculty will guide high school campers from across the state in an intensive study of the All-State audition process Link IconCopy linkFacebook LogoShare on FacebookXShare on XEmailShare via EmailLink copied to clipboardIsaias Berriozabal-Martinez founder of South Philly restaurant El Compadre who immigrated to this country three years ago and last fall launched El Compadre Ben Miller said that his son had trouble breathing at about 7 a.m There were no obvious previous health problems "Our family and friends are grieving today over the death of Isaías Keep us in your thoughts," his family posted Wednesday on facebook The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office said the case is pending Berriozabal-Martinez is the son of Cristina Martinez a celebrated Mexican chef who with her husband owns the popular South Philadelphia restaurant South Philly Barbacoa Berriozabal-Martinez opened his own restaurant El Compadre was an attempt to capitalize on the popular torta - or Mexican sandwich - that had been pulled from the menu at South Philly Barbacoa earlier last year came to this country three years ago by crossing the border illegally and hiking through the American desert He was undocumented at the time of his death The younger man dreamed of someday starting a family and buying his own home he was living with his parents in South Philadelphia he had manned the taco station at South Philly Barbacoa for a year He also arranged to grind - or nixtamalize - corn into fresh masa for tortillas "He talked to his aunts in Mexico and brought the machine to Philadelphia." The move did not go unnoticed by Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan "Barbacoa just installed a machine to grind their own corn into proper masa," LaBan wrote on Dec "Pretty much every Mexican restaurant in the region is using the just-add-water mix known as Maseca Harina "It will be a revelation to taste tortillas made from fresh corn that's been nixtamalized (soaked in alkalized water) and processed fresh for tortilla flour on site." Miller said his son's hard work was integral to growing the two restaurants Berriozabal-Martinez loved children and enjoyed cooking with fresh ingredients he is survived by two brothers and a sister in Mexico bcook@phillynews.com Texas (AP) — Daniel Bermudez’s family had fled Venezuela and was headed to the U.S to seek asylum when the freight train they were riding through Mexico was stopped by immigration officials His wife tried to explain that her family had permission to go to the U.S. Instead, they flew her to Mexico’s southern border as part of a surge of enforcement actions that U.S. officials say have contributed to a sharp drop in illegal border crossings In addition to forcing migrants from trains Mexico also resumed flying and busing them to the southern part of the country and started flying some home to Venezuela READ MORE: Mexico, Venezuela resume repatriation flights amid U.S. pressure to curb migration the decrease in illegal crossings is welcome news for the White House President Joe Biden’s administration is locked in talks with Senate negotiators over restricting asylum and $110 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel hangs in the balance Bermudez said his wife became separated from her family when she talked to authorities as he gathered his stepchild and their belongings but his wife said they shouldn’t because they had followed procedure by making an appointment with U.S Let’s go into the brush,’” Bermudez said “Why are they sending us back if we have an appointment?” his stepchild and two other relatives were waiting for her at a shelter in the Mexican border town of Piedras Negras as she took a bus back in hopes of still making the date Mexico’s immigration agency sent at least 22 flights from its border region with the U.S to southern cities during the last 10 days of December which is across the border from Eagle Pass Mexico also ran two removal flights to Venezuela with 329 migrants Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Mexico City on Dec 28 to confront unprecedented crossings to the United States Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said a financial shortfall that had led the immigration agency to suspend deportations and other operations was resolved Arrests for illegal crossings into the U.S down from more than 10,000 on several days in December arrests totaled 13,800 during the seven-day period ending Friday down 29 percent from 19,400 two weeks earlier Customs and Border Protection to reopen the port of entry in Lukeville on Thursday after a monthlong closure on the most direct route from Phoenix to its nearest beaches also restored operations at Eagle Pass and three other locations WATCH: Why the U.S. immigration system is strained and unable to handle record number of migrants saw sales take “a major hit” while a bridge was closed to vehicle traffic so border agents could be reassigned to help process migrants Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu said “We survive pretty much from everything that comes from the Mexican side,” he said CBP resumed freight crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso officials said was a response to as many as 1,000 migrants riding atop a single train through Mexico before trying to walk across the border Casa del Migrante housed about 200 migrants Among them was Manuel Rodriguez, 40, who said his family will miss their appointment to seek asylum that was made through the U.S. government’s CBP One app He said the appointment was registered with his in-laws who were deported to Venezuela after authorities boarded the bus they were riding “It was all under her name and she lost everything,” Rodriguez said Proposals being discussed by the White House and Senate negotiators include a new expulsion authority that would deny rights to seek asylum if illegal border crossings reach a certain threshold Any such authority would almost certainly depend on Mexico’s willingness to take back non-Mexicans who enter the U.S illegally Mexico’s support was critical to defunct Trump-era policies that forced 70,000 asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S immigration court and to deny rights to seek asylum during the COVID-19 pandemic president of the Migration Policy Institute in Washington cautioned against overstating Mexico’s role in the recent drop in traffic Panama reported that less than 25,000 migrants walked through the Darién jungle in December about half of October’s level and a sign that fewer people are leaving South America for the U.S Migration usually drops in December amid holidays and cold weather is able to lean on Mexico for a short-term enforcement effect on migration at the border but the long-term effects are not always clear,” Selee said Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins Food from the South Philly Barbacoa chef is now only available three days a week Martinez and Miller are also immigrant rights’ activists The couple started South Philly Barbacoa as a food cart before turning it into a brick-and-mortar operation. They helped Berriozabal-Martinez open El Compadre at 1149 S. 9th Street in 2016, and moved South Philly Barbacoa into the El Compadre space when they took over the latter until sell out (usually in the afternoon) and Monday from 7 a.m Philly Mag reports El Compadre will become 1149 a cooperatively owned restaurant that will house catering company Food Everyone Deserves and Fikira Bakery Link IconCopy linkFacebook LogoShare on FacebookXShare on XEmailShare via EmailLink copied to clipboardEl Compadre reopens after death of its chef and founderThe South Philadelphia Mexican eatery is starting this weekend with dinner hours El Compadre - the South Philadelphia Mexican restaurant whose 23-year-old owner, Isaías Berriozabal-Martinez, died unexpectedly Jan. 11 - will reopen Friday his stepfather and the co-owner of South Philly Barbacoa with Cristina Martinez said the restaurant would serve dinner Friday through Sunday The restaurant will resume with its signature tortas Tuesday Saturday and Sunday with tacos and burritos Balfre Montero will make the tacos on the weekends Lesly Lopez (the cook) and Vicky Hernandez (the baker) will run the shop during the week The city Medical Examiner's Office said Thursday that autopsy results were pending Miller said Berriozabal-Martinez died of heart failure.