The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (KCEID) at University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is unique in many ways, and not just because it is an R1 Research Institution, a Hispanic-Serving Institution, or its variety of engineering courses. Many of its talented faculty members are also former international students, including Maria Gonzalez Porras, PhD, and Arthur Montoya, PhD. They sat down with us to share what makes the college different, why international students should consider Klesse College, how students are supported on campus and off, and what they recommend for those studying in San Antonio far away from home.
Originally from Honduras, Dr. Montoya has earned a BS in civil engineering, an MS in structural engineering, and a PhD in civil engineering and engineering mechanics from Columbia University. He is now the associate dean of undergraduate programs at UTSA and his role “is to support the students with academic petitions and any issues they have with registration, [as well as] making sure to improve the curriculum. I’m making sure that we’re preparing the students for the workforce properly [so] they have the right skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the industry or graduate school, wherever they decide to go,” he said.
Dr. Montoya understands the reality and rewards of being an international student in the US. “I know there are struggles. I know there are challenges, but I also know all the positive outcomes that come from having a good education. I like motivating [international students], and somehow serving as a role model to them so they know that the sky is the limit if they work very hard,” he said. “When I mention to them that I’m from Honduras, many of them want to know more about my experience, how I was able to transition from being an international undergrad student all the way to a professor. It’s very rewarding, as faculty, that you can share your experiences to impact the lives of your students.”
As a former international student from Colombia, who earned her PhD at the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Gonzalez Porras understands firsthand how impactful the decision to study abroad is.
“I know what it is like leaving family or a lot of other things just to pursue your career, your dreams, and your studies,” she said. “[International students] are really brave because they are leaving a lot of things behind, but they come with a focus on a clear objective.”
In her role as assistant professor in the department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering at Klesse College, Dr. Gonzalez Porras is also “trying to give opportunities to other international students to experience the research that I experienced during my undergrad program,” she said. “Since I know many of our countries don’t have the possibility of doing research, [I am] trying to work with universities in Colombia and make some type of agreement, so [students] can come and visit the university, be exposed to research, and work under different professors.”
Why Study at Klesse College of Engineering?
UTSA has been ranked #58 in Most Innovative Schools (U.S. News & World Report, 2024) and is considered among the top R1 research institutions in the country.
“We are a good mix of being a research institution, which gives a lot of prestige to a university, but we’re also still a great teaching institution. We started as a teaching institution and that’s still part of our culture,” said Dr. Montoya.
The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design “serves as an incubator for academic research and inquiry across disparate, yet complimentary, academic fields that work cohesively to improve the world around us,” according to the dean’s welcome. Students can choose to take courses in biomedical and chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, or mechanical engineering.
In collaboration with Shorelight, the college offers international students six programs to choose from in architecture, biomedical technology, civil engineering, and urban and region planning.
“Klesse College combines different disciplines in one college. We have engineering programs, but we also have architecture, interior design, and urban planning programs in one college,” said Dr. Montoya. “The vision is that the students can start experiencing this diverse workforce environment in college so whenever they [graduate], they’re already ready to interact with professionals from different disciplines.”
Signature Experiences at UTSA
Klesse College values the importance of gaining real-world experience during college, instead of after, and each new student is required to complete one Signature Experience in the INTERESTS categories: INTErnship, Research, Study abroad programs, and Service learning.
“All incoming students are required to complete an experiential learning requirement, so that’s either an internship, a research experience, a study abroad, or service learning, and that could be through a course or an extracurricular activity. We really want them to get hands on and apply the theory that they learned in the classroom,” said Dr. Montoya.
“Something that’s unique about UTSA in general is that we have a student success center per college. So that’s a dedicated staff that supports students. They help them with internships, secure research opportunities, and study abroad programs,” said Dr. Montoya.
The Klesse College Student Success Center provides several important resources to ensure every student succeeds in school and beyond, including help with tutoring, student organizations, career development, and more.
“The student success center is a key player for our college supporting students because they bring industry speakers to campus every week. They [offer] WIN-Wednesday (Work, Intern, Network), Thrive Thursday, and Career First that are there for students to network and become familiar with career opportunities,” said Dr. Montoya. “We have tutoring support, counseling services, and professional development support, so we’re really focused on preparing students so they can succeed in the modern workforce.”
UTSA’s Diverse and Talented Faculty
The Klesse College boasts more than 140 faculty members within 30 degree programs.
“We have very talented faculty, both researchers and instructors,” said Dr. Montoya. “Something that’s unique in [this school] is that each student is assigned a faculty mentor. The … faculty can share their experiences with students and can provide professional advice. Then they also have an academic advisor [who] is a staff member [who] checks that the student is actually meeting the program requirements and helps the student with academic petitions in case they are needed.”
Study in San Antonio
With makerspaces located on UTSA’s Main Campus and Downtown Campus in San Antonio, Klesse College offers students the opportunity to study in a diverse and engaging city.
“San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the US, and you have access to industries and companies that are located the in the city,” said Dr. Montoya. “It has this vibe that you feel you are not in a college town because you have access to a lot of resources, [including] an airport that is right in the city.”
Dr. Gonzalez Porras thinks studying in San Antonio provides students the chance to experience other cultures, while finding a community of their own. “It’s a big city but you don’t feel like it’s a big city. You can find anything you want from concerts, restaurants, theater, [etc.]. [International students] trying to find their community might be easier here than in any other place. I know there is a Chinese community, a Latin community, and there are many organizations that will help them find where they belong.”
Support for International Engineering Students
As one of the oldest Hispanic-serving institutions in the country and with a commitment to diversity in the student body and faculty, UTSA provides a welcoming environment for students from around the world.
“At UTSA, we support students regardless of gender, race, or origin. We want to make sure all students have equal opportunities, and so we work closely with every student, and try to tailor the support according to the student’s specific needs,” said Dr. Montoya. “[For] international students, we want to make sure they are involved in student organizations because they may be more prone to becoming homesick than other students.”
Advice for International Students
Drawing from his own experience of studying in a foreign country, Dr. Montoya advises that “as an international student, I think it’s very important to stay active, so [get] involved in all kinds of activities and student organizations. Focusing on academics is essential to succeed, but you also gain a lot from getting involved in student organizations … I think staying active is a key to pursuing your dreams, but also to avoid being homesick.”
Dr. Gonzalez Porras encourages students to “take advantage of all the opportunities that Klesse College offers. I tell [students] to exploit us. Just knock on the door and search for opportunities from the beginning, you know, even if they don’t want to research later on. I think just by understanding how to make a hypothesis and trying to make up experiments or things to prove the hypothesis will help in any career that they decide to follow. I think that’s a really good opportunity for international students, and all students.”
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