On Sept. 1, The University of Texas at San Antonio and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio will officially unite. As part of this historic integration, the newly combined institution has adopted a shared mission statement that reflects the values and ambitions of both campuses, while providing a unified vision for the future.
“The mission of The University of Texas at San Antonio is to make lives better by advancing excellence in education; research, discovery and commercialization; health; public service; and community engagement.”
At just over 20 words, the statement is concise. But behind each word is careful thought and collaboration.
“We knew we needed something that honored both of our institutions’ histories while guiding the new university forward,” said Taylor Eighmy, PhD, president of UT San Antonio and acting president of UT Health San Antonio. “To achieve that, we conducted a thoughtful and intentional process that involved deep and shared collaboration across leadership teams, faculty, staff and other key stakeholder groups from both universities.”
A shared starting point
The development of the mission statement began in August 2024, when a committee comprised of leaders from both institutions began examining the mission statements of each university to identify common themes and values.
In December 2024, The University of Texas System Board of Regents officially approved the mission statement, giving it the final green light ahead of the Sept. 1 integration.
We make lives better®
At the heart of the mission statement is the phrase “make lives better”— a guiding concept that has long shaped the culture of UT Health San Antonio and now extends to the whole of UT San Antonio.
“We make lives better®. Four powerful words,” said Francisco Cigarroa, MD, UT Health San Antonio’s senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system, who served as president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio from 2000 to 2009.
“Years ago, we chose that phrase with the health and well-being of the community in mind. That we can make lives better for patients not just by saving lives, but through compassionate care, through understanding and through science. Now, we’ve expanded that idea beyond health care. We can make lives better through education, through employment opportunities, through innovation. It’s a mission that fits who we are now and who we want to be.”
Eighmy agreed, noting that the concept bridges the two institutions’ missions in spirit.
“Education is transformative, and at UTSA, we’ve long focused on access and social mobility. That’s our version of making lives better,” said Eighmy. “When we recognized that parallel, it was a moment of real clarity. Whether through health care or educational attainment, both institutions were fundamentally striving toward the same purpose, and now, we will do so together.”
Excellence in education
In addition to uniting two visions, the mission statement lays out the university’s key areas of focus, with each one tied to strategic goals for the future.
“We are serious about providing the very best education to our students,” Cigarroa said. “That means recruiting top-tier faculty, offering robust support and delivering an exemplary educational experience, no matter a student’s background.”
Eighmy emphasized the importance of both the advancement of academic excellence and commitment to education access. “This is a place where excellence and access reinforce each other. We’re dedicated to lifting educational attainment across San Antonio, South Texas and throughout the state. That’s how we build a better future together.”
Excellence in research, discovery and commercialization
The mission also affirms the university’s role in research, discovery and commercialization — not just generating knowledge, but translating it into real-world solutions.
“Innovation is a key part of what makes this integration so exciting,” said Cigarroa. “We’re already seeing how faculty from different disciplines, like artificial intelligence, biochemistry and engineering, are coming together to tackle big problems. That kind of translational science is what leads to new therapies, new companies, and a better quality of life for people in our community and beyond.”
Eighmy echoed that enthusiasm. “We’re building a world-class research university with the ingredients for true interdisciplinary collaboration. Faculty from both legacy institutions are already creating exciting new projects, and this is just the beginning.”
Excellence in health, public service and community engagement
The remaining pillars of health, public service and community engagement highlight the university’s long-standing commitment to serving the region.
“We’ve made significant progress in areas like cancer and aging, and we’re now expanding our efforts in metabolic health to address conditions like diabetes, obesity and heart disease, which are so prevalent here in San Antonio,” Cigarroa said. “What’s exciting is how we’re bringing together so many disciplines to address these issues. Together, we’re working toward therapies that could save thousands of lives.”
Beyond the lab and clinic, UT San Antonio sees itself as a cornerstone of civic progress.
“We have a shared responsibility to help shape the future of this city and this region,” Eighmy said. “That means working hand-in-hand with local government, community leaders, with state and national partners to create pathways of success so even more students can go out into the world prepared to build a stronger community together.”
A new chapter
As the newly unified University of Texas at San Antonio prepares to expand its impact, its mission statement serves as both a declaration of values and a promise to the communities it serves.
“It’s more than a statement — it’s our commitment,” Eighmy said. “A shared promise that will continue to guide us as we grow, innovate and work together to make lives better.”