TLDR: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has officially launched its new College of AI, Cyber and Computing, set to begin classes in Fall 2025. This strategic initiative aims to consolidate and expand the university’s leadership in critical technology areas, offering comprehensive programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computing, and data science to over 5,000 students. The college, supported by a $2 million gift from USAA, will be a central hub for education, research, and workforce development, particularly strengthening San Antonio’s position as a major tech hub.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has announced the formal launch of its pioneering College of AI, Cyber and Computing, with classes scheduled to commence in Fall 2025, specifically in August. This new academic institution marks a significant step in UTSA’s commitment to advancing education and research in rapidly evolving technological fields, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computing, and data science. The establishment of this college increases the number of academic colleges at UTSA to nine.
The formation of the college was a multi-phase process that began in January 2024 with a university-wide initiative to elevate UTSA’s leadership in emerging technologies. This effort involved extensive input from campus and community partners, including a dedicated task force, working groups, and a public design charrette. By December 2024, the university had unveiled the full structure of the college, detailing its academic departments, degree programs, and alignment with various research centers. A national search for the college’s founding dean began in January 2025, with leadership expected to be in place by August 2025.
The College of AI, Cyber and Computing will encompass four specialized departments: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems and Cybersecurity, and Statistics and Data Science. These departments will offer a comprehensive range of programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, designed to create synergies and provide students with diverse opportunities to explore their interests. The college is projected to serve more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Strategically located at UTSA’s Downtown Campus, the college will operate in San Pedro I and, upon its completion in Spring 2026, San Pedro II. This urban core location offers students and faculty close proximity to industry, government, and community partners, fostering connections to real-world opportunities across San Antonio.
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “The launch of the College of AI, Cyber and Computing reflects our university’s long-standing commitment to advancing knowledge and growing the talent pipeline in critical areas that will advance economic development, grow the professional workforce and positively impact our community.” He further noted that the rapid technological advancement “makes it critically important to integrate cyber into the foundation of AI and data operations.”
The new college builds upon the success of the UTSA School of Data Science, which was launched in 2018 and has now transitioned to the Center for Data Science. Faculty associated with these programs have secured major grants, initiated industry partnerships, and driven innovations in areas such as generative artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and healthcare analytics.
In a significant show of support, USAA has provided a $2 million gift to the college. This investment will facilitate scholarships, establish a student success center, and expand research infrastructure, underscoring a shared commitment to developing a robust talent pipeline and supporting San Antonio’s long-term growth.
The college will integrate and collaborate with several key research centers, including the AI Consortium for Human Well-Being, which is dedicated to transformative research on designing and deploying AI technologies to enhance human life. Other partners include the Open Cloud Institute, the Institute for Cyber Security, the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security, and the Cyber Center for Security and Analytics. This integration is expected to amplify UTSA’s ability to secure competitive funding, foster transdisciplinary partnerships, and deliver real-world solutions.
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The establishment of this “first-of-its-kind college” is poised to strengthen San Antonio’s position as a major information security hub outside Washington, D.C. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth in data science and cybersecurity to exceed 35% by 2031, equating to millions of new jobs. Through collaborations with the private and government sectors, the college will offer students hands-on learning opportunities, including internships, research, and projects, preparing them for high-demand careers in these critical fields.
