An educator, trailblazer, and visionary leader, Dean Jonathon Halbesleben is a versatile professional with over two decades of progressively responsible and visionary leadership roles in higher education. On June 1, 2022, he became the seventh dean of the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Dean Jonathon holds two chaired appointments as the Bodenstedt Chair for the Dean of Business and the Tom C. Frost Distinguished University Chair for Business Excellence. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University.
Reflecting upon his beginning at UTSA, Dean Jonathon eloquently shares, “As a first-generation college student, I was drawn to UTSA largely because of the university and the college’s deep commitment to serving historically underserved communities.” He adds that his passion for harnessing and leveraging the transformative power of higher education to uplift underserved communities aligns perfectly with UTSA’s mission. He expressed his excitement about joining Alvarez faculty, staff, and students to build an internationally recognized college that is ambitious, bold, and dynamic.”
Alvarez College of Business at a Glance
Established in 1969, the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA aims to be an industry pioneer in the educational realm. The institution provides both applied business and technical skills in areas of high workforce demand, along with professional and entrepreneurial skills that help students create value for their organization and integrate into the workforce. With almost 8,000 students, the Alvarez College of Business offers a comprehensive curriculum at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels that expands the boundaries of traditional business education.
Students who complete the UTSA Alvarez MBA program gain a competitive edge in the job market through their exposure to both applied and theoretical knowledge that extends beyond a typical business degree to include coursework in cyber security and data analytics. As a result, UTSA graduates are prepared to transform the future of the state and the world.
Nurturing a Comprehensive Education Ecosystem
The UTSA Alvarez MBA provides students with knowledge, immersive learning experiences, and practical skills to prepare them for impactful careers. The university emphasizes a community-driven approach, involving faculty, staff, community partners, and academic leaders to create a personalized and transformative educational experience.
Alvarez faculty members are experts in their respective fields, providing cutting-edge curricula and conducting impactful research that enhances students’ learning inside and outside the classroom. The university’s programs, support services, and collaborative opportunities are designed to build on students’ talents and enrich their academic journeys.
Key initiatives in the Alvarez College of Business include connecting students with alumni mentors, using AI for interview and resume preparation, offering internship and career exploration support, providing training in research, and preparing students for entrepreneurial endeavors.
Enabling the Academic or Personal Growth
UTSA offers various services to support students’ academic and personal growth. The college’s graduate business advisors serve as collaborative partners to assist students in planning their educational journey, teach them how to navigate relevant resources, and encourage them to take responsibility for their academic decisions. In addition to personalized advisors for each program, students work with designated faculty members within their program to receive both academic and career support.
For students facing academic challenges, the college’s tutoring and learning services offer guidance to develop educational goals, identify barriers to success, and create a support network. Academic support is available in various formats, including drop-ins, appointments, group sessions, and online tutoring. Additionally, Wellbeing Services promotes student success by supporting health and wellbeing and working with staff, faculty, and student groups to build skills in the eight dimensions of wellbeing. Recognizing that financial roadblocks often hinder a student’s degree progression, the Alvarez College of Business offers competitive scholarships as well as assistantship positions to reduce financial burdens on its students. These comprehensive services ensure that UTSA students have the resources to succeed academically and personally.
Strategic Initiatives to Enhance the Learning Experience
UTSA’s Student Success initiative aims to improve graduation rates and outcomes for students. The initiative includes programs and services across campus that provide resources and opportunities to support students’ academic, personal, and career growth. The initiative also promotes evidence-based practices to create a collaborative environment that helps students become lifelong learners and active citizens.
Some of the programs and services included in the initiative are:
● Academic advising ● Academic support
● Success Coaching ● First-gen student support
● Transfer student support ● Housing and residential life
● Student success centers ● Foster care initiatives
Remarkable Initiatives by UTSA
The Alvarez Student Success Center provides a one-stop resource center for all business students to achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals. As part of UTSA’s new Academic Success District, the Alvarez Student Success Center offers tutoring, professional development workshops, experiential learning programs, leadership, and academic programs, as well as career services for undergraduate and graduate business students.
Additionally, the Alvarez College of Business has established a Graduate Business Student Commons that provides study and meeting space for graduate business students. This large, vibrant space was developed to encourage collaboration and foster connectivity.
Recent campus developments include the Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence (RACE), which serves as a central hub for UTSA Athletics. It was designed to promote the academic success, health, wellness, and performance of the university’s student-athletes.
Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Innovation among Students
Through the Najim Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, students can engage in a variety of enriching opportunities, such as:
● The Big Rowdy Idea: It is a competition where students test their ideas and business models, receiving valuable feedback from judges and mentors.
● Start-Up Academy: A 10-week program that teaches students how to transform ideas into successful ventures, offers networking opportunities with local organizations, and provides compensation for participation.
● Najim Strategist: A program where students work as paid consultants for local corporations, non-profits, and startups, helping to develop solutions for business challenges.
● Innovation Labs: Workshop-style classes that offer participants expert guidance and knowledge to refine and develop their concepts and ideas.
The Distinctive Campus Culture at UTSA
What sets UTSA apart is the rich mosaic of diversity that its students bring through their own culture, personal values, and lived experiences. At UTSA students easily find a close-knit community where they are encouraged to embrace their individuality. Located in a vibrant city full of opportunities, UTSA offers its students a chance to expand their horizons, hone their talents, and prepare for a bright future, where they can make the world a better place to live in.
A Balance Between Academic Responsibilities and Extracurricular Involvement
The college and university provide academic support and extracurricular activities for students to engage in inside and outside the classroom. Students can record their involvement in an experience transcript, which enhances their resume and showcases their skills and accomplishments at UTSA.
MBA students have the opportunity to attend prestigious national business conferences, participate in international immersion programs, and develop their leadership capabilities within their business student organizations.
