The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is attracting a new generation of ambitious students who want hands-on experience, meaningful mentorship and careers that make an impact. Across the university, they are finding opportunities to explore their passions while preparing for the future workforce.
That ambition shows up in the numbers. UT San Antonio recently hit record enrollment of more than 42,000 students, an all-time-high first-year retention rate of 82%, and a national ranking among the top universities in the nation for driving social mobility by U.S. News & World Report, a recognition that reflects the university’s commitment to expanding opportunity and helping students reach their full potential.
Here are three students whose stories reflect the drive, determination and opportunity shaping the future of our city and state.
THE CREATOR
Denny Higgins ’26 | San Antonio, Texas
Film and Media Studies major
Denny Higgins transferred to UT San Antonio in Fall 2024 after earning his associate degree from San Antonio College. Drawn to UT San Antonio’s experiential learning opportunities through the Honors College, Higgins quickly immersed himself in programs that strengthened both his creative and professional skills.
Through the Honors College Experiential Learning Fair (ELF), Higgins developed greater confidence presenting his work professionally, opening the door to new opportunities for growth.
“ELF has helped me be more confident in my public speaking and learn how to talk about my work in ways that connect with others.”
Higgins also used an experiential learning award to produce a magazine featuring his photography and interviews with some of San Antonio’s most prominent graffiti artists. In addition, he uses his audio/visual skills to support the production of a podcast for the college’s Philosophy and Literature Circle.
“The professional development I’ve gotten from the college’s programs has been valuable and rewarding,” said Higgins. “Even if these services are not directly connected to my major, they are still beneficial in ways that have given me value beyond getting a grade for a class.”
THE SCHOLAR ATHLETE
Madison Hornback ’26 | West Columbia, Texas
Neuroscience major
Madison Hornback, a player on the UTSA softball team, transferred to UT San Antonio in 2024 to continue pursuing the sport she’s loved since she was four years old. What she found beyond athletics was a campus community that made UT San Antonio feel like home.
As a student-athlete, Hornback balances coursework with practices, games and travel while volunteering at youth softball camps and supporting physical education programs at a local elementary school.
She points to the strong support system at UT San Antonio as a key factor in her success.
“There are tutors at your fingertips, and the support system helps you stay on track academically when travel, practices and games compete for your time.”
Looking ahead, Hornback intends to attend medical school and pursue a career as a pediatric hematologist and oncologist, combining her love for science with a desire to make a meaningful impact on young patients and their families.
THE NEXT-GEN PHYSICIAN
Christopher Mao, MD/MSAI Candidate | Sugar Land, Texas
MD/Masters of Science in Artificial Intelligence Dual Degree
Christopher Mao’s path to medicine began as an undergraduate electrical engineering major at UT Austin, where over time he developed an interest in biomedical technologies. While the work was fascinating, he realized something was missing.
“I realized I didn’t just want to build the technology,” he said. “I wanted to be involved in patient care.”
That realization led him to the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
and UT San Antonio’s MD/MSAI dual degree program, the first of its kind in the U.S., where he combines medical training with artificial intelligence research.
Under the guidance of his mentor, Ronald Rodriguez, MD, PhD, Mao studied a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer known as renal intravascular tumor extension (RITE). His research identified molecular differences that could eventually help researchers improve early detection and develop more targeted treatments.
“This research has been meaningful to me because it showed how AI can be used not only to automate tasks, but also to inform new discoveries and uncover biological patterns that may eventually improve patient care.”
Mao will remain at UT San Antonio’s Long School of Medicine for his residency in internal medicine and hopes to build a career in academic medicine, where he can continue exploring the intersection of technology and patient care while mentoring the next generation of physicians.
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