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

Global Initiatives and International Services

Updates

Governmental Relations

Updates

Internal Audit

Updates

Legal Affairs

Updates

Marketing, Communications & Media

Updates

Office of the President

Updates

Operations

Updates

Research & Innovation

Updates

FIT Updates

Current updates from the active Functional Integration Divisions.

Research & Innovation Functional Integration – May 2026

Strategic Research Initiatives Working Group – Advancing implementation of InfoReady for Limited Submissions Phase II. Assessing Faculty Research Development and Internal Funding Management programs to identify improvements for FY27 implementation. Assessing support to Organized Research Units (ORUs).

Research Administration & Operations Working Group – Completed 88% of HOP/IHOP review and institutional policy inventory. Advancing Excellence in Award Management initiative through business process review and stakeholder engagement. Completed Research Administration IT System inventory and roadmap development.

Innovation & Strategic Partnerships Working Group – Advancing implementation of IP management platform. Strengthening infrastructure to support innovation and commercialization efforts.

Research & Innovation Functional Integration – April 2026

Strategic Research Initiatives Working Group – Completed Phase I unification of the limited submissions process and updated funding procedures; now advancing Phase II and III. Next steps include consolidating award and internal funding management and analyzing campus centers and institutes.
Research Administration & Operations Working Group – 62% HOP/IHOP alignment complete, with systems inventory finalized and post-award insights gathered. Ongoing policy, process, and systems assessments continue. Next steps include alignment recommendations, stakeholder engagement, RAS consolidation, and IM system integration planning.
Communications & Marketing Working Group – Advancing development of the project charter, with next steps focused on finalization to guide scope, priorities, and execution.
Strategic Research Initiatives Working Group – Completed Phase I unification of the limited submissions process and updated funding procedures; now advancing Phase II and III. Next steps include consolidating award and internal funding management and analyzing campus centers and institutes.

Research & innovation – March 2026

Strategic Research Initiatives Working Group – Developed and advanced recommendations to establish a streamlined limited submission process.
Research Administration & Operations Working Group – Achieved 53% completion of HOP/IHOP alignment and finalized a comprehensive inventory of research administration information management system.
Innovation & Strategic Partnerships Working Group – Completed implementation of a project and workflow management system to enhance coordination and efficiency.
Communications & Marketing Working Group – Strengthened leadership capacity with the hiring of Wesley Elliot as director of communications.

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.

Research & Innovation – November 2025

Functional Integration Team (FIT) launched, members include Claudia Delgado, Siobhan Fleming and Anthony Francis.
Three working groups have been established to focus on key priorities:
- Strategic Research Initiatives: identify and align research programs across both campuses. This effort is designed to strengthen collaboration.
- Research Administration & Operations: assess, align, and integrate administrative and operational functions that support research activities across both campuses. This initiative aims to build cohesive and efficient service models, optimize the use of institutional resources, and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality support to faculty and research staff.
- Innovation & Strategic Partnerships: enhance and unify efforts that advance research commercialization, industry collaboration, and strategic alliances across both campuses. This initiative focuses on fostering a cohesive innovation ecosystem that accelerates technology translation, expands partnership opportunities, and amplifies the economic and societal impact of institutional research. Through this effort, we will align programs, leverage shared resources, and strengthen the infrastructure that supports a dynamic and collaborative innovation enterprise.

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.

Functional Integration

FIT Updates

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