Reach Your Destination

At Texas A&M University–San Antonio, being a destination campus and a commuter-friendly University is not an either/or proposition—it is a reflection of who Jaguars are and how the institution is intentionally evolving to serve every student.  

National data shows that only about 16 percent of undergraduates at public four-year institutions live on campus, and A&M–San Antonio is challenging conventional assumptions about what it means to be a commuter school. The University is crafting a model where every student—whether they drive from Stockdale, walk from Esperanza Hall, or spend all day working and studying between classes—finds a place to belong. 

For Dr. Juan Guardia, vice president for student affairs, the commuter identity is not a limitation but a meaningful piece of the University’s story. 

“I don’t think being a commuter campus is inherently good or bad,” Guardia said. “It’s one of many characteristics of our students, but it’s not what defines them. What defines them is that they’re Jaguars.” 

 That philosophy drives a campus culture where students do not see themselves as ‘commuters’ or ‘residents.’ They see themselves as Jaguars—active, engaged, and part of something bigger.  

"If I live 20 minutes away and I'm able to commute, I'm going to do that, but I also want to be involved. I want to take advantage of everything happening here."

~ Olivia Vielma

Drive Here 

The experiences of A&M–San Antonio students reflect that nuance. Their stories reveal that commuting is not simply a logistical choice. It can be a financial decision, a cultural practice, a matter of family responsibility, or even the result of being from a nearby community that already feels like home. 

Sophomore education major Olivia Vielma embodies this blended identity. Born and raised in the small town of Lytle, she drives 25 minutes each day on I-35 to reach campus. 

Like many students, what keeps Vielma grounded—and on campus—is involvement. She works in the Student Life office and is active in Campus Activities Board, a student organization that helps create fun and engaging programming.  

“If I live 20 minutes away and I’m able to commute, I’m going to do that,” she said. “But I also want to be involved. I want to take advantage of everything happening here.” 

Senior Faith Gonzales, who lives an hour away in Stockdale, echoes that sentiment, but her path to connection took longer. When she previously attended community college, her experience was typical of many commuters. 

“It was kind of just school and home,” she said. “I would eat lunch in my car, then go right to class. I wasn’t involved at all.” 

That changed when she transferred to A&M–San Antonio. Through her on-campus job, she helps students plan events and find their community. She calls it her “family,” one that ultimately shaped her academic path. 

“The events, the community, seeing the same faces every day…that kept me here,” she said. 

Gonzales’s experience highlights why University leaders are deliberately investing in spaces, programs, and initiatives designed to make the campus a true destination—whether students commute or live here.  

The opening of the new commuter lounge is part of a broader effort to give students a sense of place. The lounge opened in 2025 on the first floor of the Central Academic Building and features comfortable seating, study areas, and kitchen amenities. Though designed with commuters in mind, the lounge is open to all students. 

“We needed students to have a space that reflects their needs and acknowledges their presence. A home base,” said Zeak Naifeh, associate vice president and dean of students.  

Other efforts are expanding across campus. The University now offers extended service hours once a month, keeping offices open until 7 p.m. to support students who work or take evening classes. A new director of student leadership and community engagement will help shape the early stages of a Commuter Student Engagement Master Plan. 

“We’re still gathering baseline data, listening to students, analyzing what they need,” Guardia said. “We don’t want to build things for commuters without knowing what they actually need.” 

Part of that evolving plan may include commuter ambassadors—students specifically tasked with supporting commuter needs—but Guardia stresses the importance of creating a plan with students as essential contributors. 

Live Here 

At the same time, A&M–San Antonio’s residential population is steadily growing. For many residents, living on campus is not about avoiding a commute but about seeking independence, convenience, and social belonging. 

Junior Lynaida Bonilla, a psychology major from Houston, chose A&M–San Antonio in part because it offered the opportunity to live on campus affordably. Bonilla resides in Estrella Hall, which opened in 2024.  

“It’s easy for me to stay busy. If you take the initiative, there are lots of opportunities to get involved,” she said. 

Similarly, sophomore Danajsa Sims came to A&M–San Antonio from the Dallas–Fort Worth area. For her, residential life served as a critical entry point into community. 

“There’s a difference between just having classmates and actually sharing a residential hall with someone,” she said. 

"I see people hanging out in the community rooms, even doing their laundry together. It really helps people break out of their shell, especially if they're far from home"

~ Danajsa Sims

Support systems like the Office of First-Year Experience (OFYE) play a pivotal role in making A&M–San Antonio a true destination campus for all students from day one. Through programs, resources, and personalized guidance, OFYE ensures that new Jaguars do not just attend classes—they build connections and begin to see the University as home.  

Sims said residence halls are another part of creating supportive environments through resident advisor-led programming and community spaces that encourage socialization. 

“I see people hanging out in the community rooms, even doing their laundry together,” she said. “It really helps people break out of their shell, especially if they’re far from home.” 

Belong Here 

As A&M–San Antonio grows, the lines between commuter campus and destination campus continue to blur. They complement one another. The vibrancy of student life depends on both.  

Surrounding development is also contributing to its growth. The recent opening of nearby housing options, including VIDA San Antonio, is transforming the area into a bustling hub of activity.  

“In a few years, this area is going to feel like its own city,” Guardia said. “That growth is exciting, but it means we must be mindful of scheduling, traffic, transportation, and making sure students can get to campus and participate without barriers.” 

Even students living just a few blocks away technically count as commuters. It is another reminder that at A&M–San Antonio, “commuter” is a broad and evolving category.