“To challenge students to dream big and assist them in making those dreams attainable,” said Katie Storey, UTSA’s office of scholar development and graduate advising coordinator of special programs, when asked about the mission of the new office, opening at UTSA on Feb. 1.

The Office of Scholar Development will offer pre-graduate advising for students (freshmen to seniors) who want to go to graduate school,  and assist them with writing their personal statements, provide information on programs and internships and help them with research.

In addition to pre-graduate advising, the office will offer different services through the Archer Fellow and Terry Scholarship programs. The office will serve as UTSA’s primary contact to the Terry Foundation and will supervise the Terry Scholarship Program. Services such as academic advising, personal and professional coaching and support, guidance through the initial application, nomination and selection process will be offered to students.

For the Archer Fellow applicants,, services such as advising, help finding funds, identifying candidates and assistance in the application process for applying for the UT-System Archer Fellowship program will be offered.

Currently housed in the MH Building, the Office of Scholar Development and Graduate Advising will serve as a place for students to get the help they need regarding graduate school.

Roni Hill, a sophomore and sociology major with a linguistic minor  at UTSA said the office was a good idea.

“I know that it can be stressful thinking about whether or not you are going back to school right after you graduate and how you are going to do that and what kind of stuff go into it,” Hill said. “It sounds awesome that there’s going to be an office that helps people figure that out.”

The office opens on Feb. 1. For more information on the Office of Scholar Development and Graduate Advising, visit new.utsa.edu/scholar-development.