Functional Integration

• Andrea Marks brings together the integrated Business Affairs and operations division for the first time, hosting a virtual town hall to celebrate this milestone. Read more about the next phase. 

• 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.

• Government Relations Strategy – Completed aspirant peer data collection to inform benchmarking and strategic positioning.
• Government Relations Operations – Established bi-monthly cabinet updates to ensure consistent alignment and communication.
• Government Relations Integration – Developed a comprehensive work plan to unify academic and health campus Government Relations teams and coordinated closely with the Office of Research and Innovation to align federal relations efforts.
• Community Engagement Transition – Partnered with the Office of Research and Innovation to successfully transition the Westside Community Center to a new reporting unit.

• 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.

• Internal Communications Working Group: Initial discovery phase of roles, responsibilities and services was conducted, and SWOT analysis of Internal Communications helped to identify opportunities and priorities. A content audit of the This Week internal newsletters on the academic and health campuses is completed, resulting in strategic alignment, recommendations and decisions for aligning employee newsletters.
• Executive Communications Working Group: Initial discovery phase of the current state of executive communications on both campuses was conducted, and the initial discovery of cabinet-level email review and approval processes is completed. Planning for Interim solutions is underway for cabinet email process to streamline process and resources.
• Social Media Working Group: Initial discovery of roles, responsibilities and services is completed, and SWOT analysis has been conducted to identify areas of opportunity. Top-level content sharing and urgent response processes have been completed, and immediate resource needs are identified to enable integration at scale.
• Web Working Group: Initial discovery of roles, responsibilities and services is completed, and SWOT analysis was conducted to identify priorities.

• Administration & Operations Working Group – Formalized organization structure and refined roles and responsibilities. Developed new goals and evaluated key performance indicators. Implemented a team-based model for office support and coverage.
• Presidential Communications Working Group – Formalized organizational structure and finalized team and department goals. Outlined and finalized roles and responsibilities for current team members.
• Executive Support & Special Projects Working Group – Redefined “Presidential Engagements” and re-evaluated and reorganized internal structure. Added support for Patient Navigation. Ordered new branded Presidential podium.
• Presidential Initiatives Working Group – Formalized organizational structure and finalized team and department goals. Outlined and finalized roles and responsibilities for current team members. Developed framework for UT San Antonio Strategic Plan.