COUNSELORS @ UTSA

Connect with the admissions staff at UTSA. Find the UTSA Admissions Representative for your area.

Admissions Counselor West Texas / Panhandle Contact Info: valerie.acosta@utsa.edu Hi!!! I am the admissions counselor for the West Texas and Panhandle area.  I graduated from Crockett High School in Austin, TX and earned my BBA in Marketing at UTSA!!!  GO ROADRUNNERS!!!  I enjoy meeting with prospective students who are excited about their futures and higher education. If you have any questions about UTSA or the college application process, please don't hesitate to contact me via e-mail or Facebook at  http://profile.to/valerieacosta/ Have a "ROWDY" day!!!

Admissions Counselor Austin / Corpus Christi Contact Info: jessica.avalos@utsa.edu   Saludos from The University of Texas at San Antonio!  My name is Jessica Avalos and I am the admissions counselor representing UTSA for the Austin and Corpus Christi areas.  As a proud graduate of UTSA, I’d be happy to answer any questions prospective students or parents may have about becoming a Roadrunner.   I am a first generation college student and grew up in the central side of San Antonio (Robert E. Lee ’03).  After graduating from high school, I became a Roadrunner and took classes at the Downtown Campus and the Main Campus.  In 2007, I earned my Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communication with a minor in Political Science.  I’m currently earning my Master’s of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Our Lady of the Lake University (2009).   I’m extremely proud to have earned my Bachelor’s degree from a Hispanic Serving Institution which provides outreach support to the vibrant San Antonio community and the diverse surrounding areas. I encourage students and parents to visit both UTSA campuses to get a first hand experience of the unique options UTSA has to offer and to get a feel for what it is like to be a part of something great.  Go Roadrunners!

associate director office of admissions transfer center Contact Info: daniel.ayala@utsa.edu

Main Campus Visitor Center Coordinator All Areas I am originally from Brownsville, Texas and graduated from Homer Hanna High School.  After graduation I attended St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.  College was the best learning experience of my life.  I successfully received my Bachelors Degree in Communication with a concentration in Pubic Relations.  I am happy to be working for UTSA and excited about meeting many new prospective students and their families.  If you have any questions about UTSA or the admissions process, I would be more than happy to assist you.  Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. Contact Info: evelyn.betancourt@utsa.edu

Assistant Director of Houston Recruitment Houston / Coastal Bend I graduated from Deer Park High School in 1997 and was considering a number of universities for my education.  After being accepted to and visiting UT Austin, Baylor, Texas State and others, UTSA just felt right for me.  I completed my B.S. degree in Biology in 2001 and began working in admissions.  It is a wonderful job that allows me to meet so many fun and interesting people.  More importantly, I get to help them through the college admissions process.  If you are in the Houston area, feel free to give my office a call or email me to set up an appointment.  My office hours are Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm.  I see visitors on an apppointment-only basis. 2100 West Loop South (Southbound Feeder, San Felipe exit) 9th Floor Reception Area Houston, TX 77027 Voice: 713.590.5145 Fax: 713.590.5146 Contact Info: lee.canales@utsa.edu

Director of Admissions All Areas   Contact Info: jennifer.ehlers@utsa.edu Working with students through the transition process into college is a stimulating and rewarding experience that I have been privileged to do for over 30 years.  Having been at UTSA for over ten years now, I have been witness to much of the growth and change that continues to transform UTSA and its students daily.  This is truly an exciting place to be.  I am a graduate of Texas Lutheran, having earned a BA in Elementary Education before UTSA offered its first class and my M.Ed. in Student Personnel is from University of North Texas.  I have continually benefitted through the years from being involved professionally both at the state and national level.  Feel free to contact me if I can be of help in anyway through the admissions process.

Admissions Counselor South and Southeast San Antonio Region / Victoria Area / El Paso     Hello, my name is Tiffani Hoot and I am the Admissions Counselor for the South and Southeast San Antonio region, the Victoria area, and El Paso.  I grew up in a Houston burb with my parents who encouraged me from an early age to go to college.  However, the process was confusing and intimidating because neither of my parents attended a four year university.  Meeting and knowing my admissions counselor at Texas Lutheran University eased my concerns about college.  That encounter shaped my next four years and my career path.  The college experience is like no other, enjoy those few short years.  Take advantage of all opportunities offered to you, especially here at UTSA.   I love to help students as they pursue a college education.  So if you have questions about any parts of the admissions process, please feel free to contact me.   Go Roadrunners!  Contact Info: tiffani.hoot@utsa.edu

Admissions Counselor Dallas / Fort Worth / Waco / Temple / Killeen / East Texas Hello, I'm the counselor for the following areas: Dallas/Fort Worth, Waco/Temple/Killeen, East Texas, New Braunfels/San Marcos, and select San Antonio private schools.   I'm originally from St. Louis, MO, but I came to Texas to attend college at Trinity University where I earned a bachelor's degree in Communication.  I loved Texas so much that I wanted to stay and work here in San Antonio after graduation!  This fall, I will begin my second year here at UTSA.  If you have any questions about UTSA or the college admissions process, please don't hesitate to contact me. Starting the college process is an extremely exciting time and I can't wait to help you learn more about UTSA and determine if we're the right match for you!   Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/UTSAKendra) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UTSA.Kendra.Kliesen).    Contact Info: kendra.kliesen@utsa.edu

Admissions Counselor Rio Grande Valley / Laredo A native of the Rio Grande Valley, I am originally from Weslaco, TX.  I have close to eight years of experience as an Admissions Counselor.  I received my Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Political Science at St. Mary's University.  My experience was so enjoyable that I wanted to spread the excitement about higher education to prospective students and their families.  My recruitment territories include the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, and the Coastal Bend.  I look forward to helping others learn more about the different opportunities waiting for them here at UTSA.  I have some great news, I am now the new Regional Counselor for South Texas.  Students in the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, and the Coastal Bend can now reach me locally at: Office: 956-425-4801 Address: PO Box 494 Weslaco, TX 78596 Contact Info: tracy.lopez@utsa.edu

transfer specialist all areas Contact Info: tricia.mcelligott@utsa.edu

Transfer Specialist All Areas Hello. My name is Monica Ruiz.  I am here to help you with any questions you may have about transferring to UTSA: Home of the Roadrunners!  I love meeting with prospective students and talking to them about all the great experiences I had as a prior UTSA student.  I earned a Bachelor's from the University of North Texas (1999) and a Master's from UTSA (2004).  I loved it here so much that I began my career at UTSA -- over 6 years ago.  Please feel free to contact me or my colleagues to make your transfer experience a wonderful one.  Come here.  Go far.  Go Runners! Contact Info: monica.ruiz@utsa.edu

Associate Director of Admissions Out of State As a first-generation college student, navigating the college process was an exciting, yet scary time.  Although I thought I was the only one trying to figure it out, I soon learned that the college process is something with which everyone can use a little guidance.  I was fortunate to become an admissions counselor nearly ten years ago.  Working with students and their families to reach their higher education goals is my passion.  As a San Antonio native (MacArthur '93), I am excited to represent The University of Texas at San Antonio to future college students.  We are an institution that has experienced enormous growth in a short period of time, yet we have held onto the uniqueness that is represented by our fine city.  Our academic programs allow our students to become better prepared for a global society and our student activities develop our students into our future leaders.    I earned a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations Journalism (1999) and a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration (2004) from Texas A&M University. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about UTSA!  Better yet, I encourage you to visit our campus to get a first-hand view of all UTSA has to offer you! Contact Info: marisol.scheer@utsa.edu

Admissions Counselor North San Antonio / Eagle Pass / Del Rio Contact Info: lisa.steelman@utsa.edu I am a proud graduate of The International School of the Americas in north central San Antonio.  Although I am a San Antonio native, I chose to attend college 2,000 miles away in the less than sunny Northwestern part of the country.  I graduated from Lewis and Clark College, a private liberal arts school in beautiful Portland, Oregon in 2008.  I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a minor in Gender Studies.  I was lucky to spend four of the greatest years of my life in Portland where I made lasting friendships, studied abroad in Italy, and experienced true independence.  College is such an exciting and important time in your life.  I look forward to helping you as you start the college admissions process!  I am happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have! Go Roadrunners!

international admissions counselor international market area Contact Info: diane.sullivan@utsa.edu