In a bid to boost college enrollment, the San Antonio community is harnessing the power of collaboration. The Future Ready Bexar County Plan, shaped by over 90 partners, is targeting an ambitious increase in post-secondary enrollment from 50% to 70% by 2030. UTSA and the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) are at the forefront of this initiative, paving an innovative direct admission pathway for high-achieving local students.

This unique partnership is set to especially benefit students from the top 25% of their class, offering direct admission to UTSA as early as their junior year. UTSA's President Taylor Eighmy expressed the importance of college access, aiming to "to greatly simplify the admissions process" for students. The program is not only about securing college spots, it's about nurturing confidence and a sense of security among young minds—a sentiment echoed by senior Yasmin Perez, who told the San Antonio Report, "The direct admissions program made college more accessible to me."

This collaboration doesn't end at direct admissions. Many students entering UTSA will qualify for the UTSA Bold Program, which covers full tuition and fees for those from households earning less than $70,000 a year. This financial aid component is crucial, given that about 75% of SAISD students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Dustin Nieto, coordinator for postsecondary services at SAISD, cited the strong partnership as a driving force in exceeding pre-pandemic enrollment numbers.

Already, more than 150 SAISD high school seniors have been admitted to UTSA through this program. Angie Martinez, a senior at Brackenridge High School, shared her emotional reaction with the San Antonio Report, saying, "When I had that message last year about direct admission to UTSA, I started crying." For these students, battles against economic and procedural barriers in their pursuit for higher education are visibly lessening.

The initiative is part of a larger strategy guided by UP Partnership, seeking to empower institutions to creatively re-envision their support for local youth. UTSA and SAISD's direct admission program serves as a testament to the transformational power that concerted community efforts can wield in forging paths for young people’s futures. Those involved are called "Community Ready Makers," working in diverse roles from parents to youth mentors, all contributing to a collective mission of uplifting Bexar County's youth.