The UTSA College of Public Policy hosted several events in March and April 2017, including: 1) A book discussion with the Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum on his new book about immigration. 2) A talk by a former leader of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development advising students on careers in public policy. 3) A Latino Policy Symposium to address public policy issues affecting Latino families.

1. Outreach and Opportunities

2. Courtesy of IBC Bank, the UTSA College of Public Policy had the opportunity to host
Mr. Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum, an advocacy
organization promoting the value of immigrants and immigration to discuss his new
book titled "There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice
and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration.
Community, students and faculty participate in engaging
book discussion with key immigration advocate

3. Former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs with the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development Jaime Castillo talks to public administration students about
how he developed his career and offers advice for students who want to craft their
own profession in public policy.
Former leader of U.S. Housing and Urban Development
advises students on shaping a career in public policy

4. The UTSA Policy Studies Center in partnership with public agencies invite prospective
participants to its first ever statewide working symposium to establish equitable public policies
that contribute to the economic vitality and mobility for Latino families.
On May 4-5, 2017, at the UTSA Downtown Campus, participants will gather together to
address public policy concerns affecting the growth and financial well-being of Latino
families. Panelists will address social issues focusing on education, labor/employment,
housing, and health and human services while critically discussing the impact of local and state
public policies on these major areas.
Policy Studies Center to host inaugural Latino Policy
Symposium, May 4-5

5. Bexar County is once again in the top ten fastest
growing counties in the United States.
"Texas continues to lead the nation in terms of
population growth, and a lot of that is being
driven by immigration, but we also have a very
healthy natural increase, meaning more births
than deaths.”
News Radio 1200 WOAI interviews Dr. Lloyd Potter on
the fast growth on Bexar County

6. A record number of
candidates are vying to
become the next District 5
council representative.
Voters had a chance to
learn more about the
candidates and get their
stance on local issues facing
the city of San Antonio prior
to the municipal election on
May 6, 2017.
COPP and League of Women Voters host District 5
Candidate Forum
Candidates running for District 5 are Shirley Gonzales,
Cynthia T. Cavazos, David C. Yañez, Richard Montez,
Daniel Lopez, and Dolores Sotomayor. Forum was
moderated by Phyllis Ingram.

7. The UTSA Office of P-20 Initiatives hosted a group of 140 1st graders during “Roadrunner for a Day.”
These little ones got a feel of a college campus and listened to what current students had to say about
their college experiences. Panelists included College of Public Policy students James Rivera, Nohelia
Villeda, Mercedes Dawes, and one student in the Architecture program, Berenice Vargas.
1st graders of KIPP Esperanza Academy visit UTSA
Downtown Campus for the first time

8. • The UTSA Public Administration Student Organization hosted “Conversation
Starters” to give current students a chance to talk to leading professionals in the
public and non-profit sector to find out how they got started in their careers.
• Students were able to network with professionals across various fields and get
an insider’s perspective on working in public service.
• The event is aimed to help students explore what they can do in the field of
public administration and learn and grow outside the classroom.
Career professionals who participated were Melissa Ramirez, Assistant Director,
COSA Development Services; Susan Pamerleau, Former Bexar County Sheriff; Charles
Gonzalez, Former U.S. Congressman, Drew Galloway, ‘14, Executive Director of
MOVE San Antonio, and Leilah Powell, Chief of Policy for Mayor Ivy Taylor
Public Administration Student Organization (PASO)
brings back “Conversation Starters”

9. UTSA Town Hall
Sanctuary Cities
UTSA, the San Antonio Express-News and KLRN hosted a 90-minute town hall meeting entitled Sanctuary Cities: State Rules vs. Local
Control, Thursday, Jan. 26in the Buena Vista Street Building Theater (BVB 1.326) at the UTSA Downtown Campus. The event was free
and open to the public.
The debate centered on whether San Antonio is a sanctuary city. This is a term used broadly to describe cities that refuse to enforce
federal immigration laws. What is SAPD’s current policy in federal immigration enforcement? During the 85th Legislative Session, the
supposed threat of “sanctuary cities” is a priority for conservative lawmakers in Texas. Sen. Charles Perry filed a bill to ban sanctuary
cities in Texas.
Panelists included San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, State Rep. Diego Bernal, Jeff Judson of the Heartland Institute, and
Robert Stovall, G.O.P. County Chairman. College of Public Policy Associate Dean & Associate Professor Dr. Francine Romero
moderated the discussion.

10. UTSA students march for social justice honoring the life
and legacy of human rights’ pioneers
Martin Luther King, Jr. March 1-16-17
Cesar E. Chavez March, 3-25-17
Photo, courtesy of NOWCast SA

11. Social work assistant professor Candace
Christensen and social work students join 50,000
people in Women’s March on Austin

12. Social work advanced communities class raise
awareness on sexual harassment
Social work students of Dr. Candace Christensen’s class held a community-wide event to
raise awareness of sexual harassment and assault through the use of Photovoice.
Photovoice participants and fellow UTSA students presented photographic depictions of
their perceptions of the causes and potential solutions for sexual harassment and engaged
in open discussion with the community on the subject. A representative from the Rape
Crisis center spoke, and resources were available for guests. The class partnered with the
Rape Crisis Center and the UTSA student group Beaks Up. Speak Up.

13. COPP welcomes Somerset High School
during recruitment visit
Somerset High School students received an awesome experience as
Roadrunners for a Day. They sat in Dr. Jaramillo’s public policy class
learning about drug offenders and federal prison and toured the UTSA
Downtown Campus facilities such as the library, food court, and recreation
center.

14. Social work students head to Austin for Social Work
Advocacy Day
On Monday, March 6, social work students attended a panel discussion
with Representative Diego Bernal and others. They also attended a rally
on healthcare on the south steps of the Capitol. They also had a chance to
visit their perspective elected officials as well as visit each chamber of the
legislation while they were in session.

15. COPP students present community projects at 2nd
Annual Civic Engagement Summit
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN
HIGHER EDUCATION
SMART MONEY and
COMMUNITY WINTER FAIR
(COSA grant award winners)
CONSTITUTION CAFÉ
(COSA grand award winner)