For the first time ever, a UTSA student occupies the 'student regent' seat on the University of Texas System Board of Regents, and Jaciel Castro says he has learned a lot in his brief time on the board that governs the operation of the state's largest university system, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
For example, one thing that students, and their parents, frequently complain about is higher tuition. But he says, seeing the system from the inside out and understanding the costs of putting together a modern higher education system, he understands the need for tuition increases.
"Part of it is raising tuition," the UTSA grad student said. "Although I'm not happy to pay more money, because I am paying for my school out of pocket, but I can see the benefit of contributing a little bit more."
He says today, when technology and top professors are getting more expensive, it is critical for the UT system not to lose its edge over other top higher education institutions like the University of California System.
Castro says the best way to ease the burden of tuition increases is to make sure that students graduate with the education and skills needed to get good jobs in the new economy, so they can quickly repay student loans.
He says that is one of his priorities on the board.
"How do we get more students into our institutions, but get them to graduate sooner, faster, better equipped to get a job as soon as they finish their studies," he said.
Castro says another top priority of his is to make sure the UT System works more closely with secondary and even primary schools to make sure students are fully prepared for top performance in college.
In an interesting reversal, Castro was a voice in the hiring of new UTSA President Dr. Taylor Eighmy, who technically works for one of his students. But Castro says Eighmy needn't worry about his job security, because he feels the new President is the perfect person to help UTSA achieve long sought 'Top Tier' research university status, which would be a major boost to the university is securing research grants, as well as luring top professors. It would be a boost to the community as well, through new research leading to new industries and start ups, much as Stanford University has played a leading role in the creation of Silicon Valley.
Castro says one thing that has amazed him in his tenure on the board of regents is the high regard that UTSA has south of the border.
"UTSA is one of the most impactful universities in Latin America," he said. "Most people don't know that, but in Latin America the name they recognize is not UT Austin, it is UTSA."
Castro says it is critical that the UT System build on the high regard held for UTSA in Latin America, and help use it as a voice for progress in key challenges which will face the Americas in the 21st Century.