bigcitysmalltown

Last week San Antonio just got a first glimpse at where the 2025 mayoral race stands. The The University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Public Opinion Research ’s latest poll found that 35% of voters are undecided, and 20% aren’t familiar with any of the 27 candidates running. But how do these surveys actually work? And why does it matter that San Antonio now has a dedicated public polling center? When Robert Rivard sat down with Dr. Bryan Gervais, the center’s inaugural director, he shared the long-term vision: ?? Building a Bexar County Panel—A diverse group of local residents who participate in ongoing surveys, allowing researchers to track opinions, priorities, and concerns over time. ?? Beyond Election Polling—The center isn’t just measuring political preferences. It’s studying housing affordability, economic well-being, education, and even emergency preparedness to better understand local needs. ?? A Missing Piece for San Antonio—Major metro areas like Houston and Dallas have long had respected public polling centers. Now, San Antonio is building one too, creating data-driven insights that policymakers and organizations can use to make informed decisions. With the 2025 mayoral race heating up, UTSA’s polling center is set to play a key role in tracking public sentiment. And if history is any guide, the data will evolve significantly in the months ahead. #SanAntonio #UTSA #PublicOpinion #SATX #bigcitysmalltown

?? Rethinking College Choices: Why More Students Are Choosing UTSA For generations, San Antonio's top high school students set their sights on UT Austin, Texas A&M, or Texas Tech, believing that the best opportunities were found elsewhere. But is that still the case? This last week on bigcitysmalltown, we explore how The University of Texas at San Antonio—and specifically the UTSA Honors College—is changing the conversation. In our discussion with Dr. Jill Fleuriet, vice provost for honors education, she makes the case that San Antonio’s largest public university isn’t just growing—it’s becoming a destination for high-achieving students. The Honors College isn’t just about strong academics. It offers transformative experiences—internships, research opportunities, and mentorship—that give students like Brandon Aviado and Victoria Kidder an edge in their careers. These opportunities typically draw students to the state’s flagship universities, but they’re happening right here in San Antonio. The challenge now is awareness. As Robert Rivard puts it in this clip, even strong supporters of UTSA may not fully realize the scope of what’s available. If more students and families understood what’s happening at the Honors College, would they think twice before looking elsewhere? ?? Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/diJgpFQQ ?? Watch the clip below. #SanAntonio #HigherEducation #UTSA #HonorsCollege #bigcitysmalltown #TexasEducation