Functional Integration
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Functional Integration

Functional Integration is the thoughtful and methodical process that aligns and integrates the structures, roles, processes, and cultures of two or more merging organizations.

Functional Integration creates the institutional foundation needed to operate seamlessly across all campuses. It enables:

  • A unified operating model​
  • Consistent service delivery for faculty, staff, students and partners​
  • Clear roles and responsibilities across teams and leaders​
  • Aligned policies, systems, and workflows​
  • Stronger compliance, efficiency and collaboration​
  • A workforce model that evolves with needs

Building on this foundation, the following units and functional areas have begun active participation in the Functional Integration effort—working collaboratively to align operations, streamline workflows, and advance a consistent, institution-wide operating model.

Advancement
  • Updates
Business Affairs & Operations
  • Updates
Global Initiatives and International Services
  • Updates
Governmental Relations
  • Updates
Internal Audit
  • Updates
Legal Affairs
  • Updates
Marketing, Communications & Media
  • Updates
Office of the President
  • Updates
Research & Innovation
  • Updates

FIT Updates

Current updates from the active Functional Integration Divisions.

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Legal Affairs – March 2026

  • Transactional Support Working Group: Integrated health campus personnel into UTSA email and Teams systems and implemented a centralized contract request process to improve communication and workload balance.
  • Data Analytics Working Group: Launched Microsoft Forms to capture projects across the institution and streamlined intake processes to support Power BI reporting, assessed TPIA operations and confirmed current systems as cost-effective solutions.
  • Dispute Resolution Working Group: Standardized data intake using Microsoft Forms and advanced efforts to align investigation tracking, litigation practices and records management.
  • Seven Preliminary Working Groups: Established the foundation for FY26 integration by identifying gaps, developing recommendations and strengthening cross-functional collaboration.
  • Completed space transition to the Main Campus.

Advancement – March 2026

  • Transitioned from integration design to execution, aligning teams, priorities, and operations to support campaign planning and readiness.
  • Advancement Systems & Data Strategy: Initiated CRM migration planning and systems alignment to support campaign planning and long-term operations.
  • Donor Experience: Aligned stewardship and engagement approaches, improving coordination and clarity across donor-facing functions.
  • Stakeholder Communications & Engagement: Established unified messaging and communication cadence, increasing transparency and consistency.
  • Established a clear operating model, strengthening collaboration, decision-making, and integration across Advancement and Alumni Engagement.
  • Entered campaign planning phase, engaging consultant BWF and aligning leadership around shared goals and accountability.

Legal Affairs – November 2025

  • Functional Integration Team (FIT) launched, members include Sadie Basllesteros, Cara Bennett, Kathleen Blanton, Corina Castillo-Johnson, Virginia Galloway, Laurie James, Kris Kwolek, Terii Lopez, Natalee Marion, Jason Pirruccello, Sarah Pryor, Kristi Salazar, and Erika Valladares.
  • During FY25, seven working groups identified strong foundations and highlighted remaining work to be done within Office of Legal Affairs systems and procedure development. To complete the remaining work, new cross-functional groups focused on key priorities are being established to support a fully integrated, client-centered legal function.
    • Texas Public Information Act (TPIA): ensure continued compliance with TPIA requirements, recommend future processes, cost recovery models, systems, and metrics that improve efficiency and service.
    • Litigation & Professional Liability Claims: ensure ongoing support for litigation and clinical claims and recommend future processes that enhance client advocacy, procedural efficiency, communication, and records management.
    • Third Party Agency Investigation: ensure effective institutional response to third-party agency investigations and recommend future processes to minimize disruption, support resolution, and improve coordination across stakeholders.
    • Internal Investigations: ensure timely and effective legal support for internal investigations and recommend future processes and KPIs that enhance cross-functional coordination and internal case resolution.
    • Transactions & Contracts: ensure contract and transactional support continues and recommend future processes, prioritization models, and potential incentives that enhance legal value and operational efficiency.
    • Outside Counsel & Compliance (OCC): ensure proper engagement and oversight of outside counsel and recommend future compliance practices, engagement criteria, and systems for tracking legal services and institutional knowledge.

Advancement – November 2025

  • Functional Integration Team (FIT) has launched, members include Karl Miller-Lugo, Sonia Vasquez, Abigail Risley, Cheri Wiese, Rebecca Anderson, and Sabrina York.
  • Seven working groups completed discovery work that led to the formation of three new cross-functional groups focused on key priorities:
    • Advancement Systems & Data Strategy: assess and recommend paths for aligning systems, data, and reporting to support seamless operations and inform long-term planning, while ensuring continued functionality across both institutions.
    • Donor Experience: evaluate and propose interim approaches to provide consistent and high-quality donor experiences across both institutions, ensuring coordinated stewardship, reporting, and frontline engagement during the campaign wind-down and bridge to the future state.
    • Stakeholder Communications Engagement: develop and coordinate a unified internal and external communications and engagement strategy to ensure consistency of message, brand, and constituent experience across both institutions.

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