Posted on May 23, 2025 by Storm Goodman
Miranda Briones-Garza
MAY 23 , 2025 - Miranda Briones-Garza, a first-generation student and San Antonio native decided to attend UTSA to find a path that was right for her. She decided to pursue Civil Engineering and spent her time at UTSA immersing herself in her field and making connections with her peers and professors. Since her graduation, Miranda has remained an active member of the Klesse College Community, supporting and giving back to engineers like herself.
Read the full interview down below.
What led to your decision to attend UTSA?
I transferred to UTSA from a local private catholic university after I decided on a major that wasn’t offered at my current school. UTSA provided a larger catalogue of options which provided some security if I ended up deciding on another major -- which I did! My arrival to Civil Engineering was a journey! Also, as a San Antonio native with a close-knit traditional family, and as a first-generation college student, I knew I would receive value for my investment at UTSA, and its proximity to home was ideal for my family.
What did you enjoy most about your experience at UTSA?
When I look back on my experience at UTSA, it’s the relationship-building that I most enjoyed. I was very lucky to have connected with professors who personally invested in me, who I’ve kept in touch with throughout the years. I very quickly found a friend group in engineering, and we helped each other navigate college life, socially and academically. I’m proud to see the peer mentorship programs UTSA now offers, as looking back on my experience, I can see how peer mentorship was valuable in my peer group’s advancement.
How did your education at UTSA prepare you for your career?
UTSA certainly provided a foundation of technical knowledge and skills critical to a career in the engineering field; but it also did something unique, which I’ve seen in hindsight. It prepared me for a diverse multi-generational workplace. Because of UTSA’s location and the community it serves, I had the opportunity to be in engineering classes with transfer students, “first-gen” students, working professionals returning to school, and others considered non-traditional students. As we had to work in partnerships or as a team throughout many classes, those opportunities exposed me to different perspectives, communication styles, and work preferences; which helped build those important soft-skills needed to succeed in a diverse workplace.
Did you do an internship through UTSA, and if so, how was that experience for you?
Early in my undergraduate journey, I secured a summer internship with a concrete design and construction firm via one of the UTSA College of Engineering’s (COE) career fairs. That summer I did a lot of hand calculations, picked up redlines in AutoCAD and went out to a lot of project sites with the firm’s PEs for jobsite meetings and inspections. It was great, because it gave me a range of exposure to what I could be doing, or supervising, in an engineering office.
Did you have any mentors or friendships that developed while you were a student and made a profound impact on your future?
Dr. Inniss and Dr. Arroyo were important mentors for me at my time at UTSA. Both went above and beyond in providing support to their students in and out of the classroom.
Throughout my time at UTSA, I felt Dr. Arroyo was rooting for my success, not just at school, but beyond. It really helped grow my confidence and enabled me to take risks in my early career that I may not have otherwise taken.
Years ago, I found a letter Dr. Inniss wrote on my behalf for an engineering scholarship, that I now keep in my office. It was a glowing recommendation full of sincere observations of my character and work ethic, my potential and my promise. Whenever I need a bit of encouragement I glance at it, and it reminds me to continue to push forward.
Its no surprise to me, as a result of these experiences, that serving as a mentor became something very important to me in my professional life.
Are there any notable achievements, highlights, or stories from that journey you would want to share with engineering students?
As a first-gen student, my experience was similar to many: I did not have a college fund and my family did not have the means to contribute to my higher education. During my time at UTSA, I was awarded several academic scholarships which sustained my education.
As a way to give back and help those in a similar position, I was able to create and self-fund a “First Gen” scholarship in Civil Engineering in the Klesse College, which was awarded in the 2020 – 2021 academic year. It’s one I hope to bring back in future years.
What advice would you give current students preparing to enter the workforce?
My advice would be to continue to be your authentic selves, and to trust your inner voice. Throughout your career you will get well-meaning advice that may not work for, or resonate with you. That is okay. Remember: leaders have many faces and there are varying paths to success. Don’t feel that you have to fundamentally change who you are at your core to fit a particular idea of success.
Do you have a life slogan or motto?
I have key principles that guide my life. One of them is to be of service.
I encourage students who have the desire and capacity to give back in some small way to do so. Pay it forward. The rewards go both ways.
Is there any additional information you would like to highlight or mention?
Mentoring is of great importance to me, and my career has given me avenues to serve as a mentor over the years in a variety of ways. At Valero, community service is centered in our company’s culture. I’ve had the privilege of supporting the Valero Freshman Engineering Summit at our corporate headquarters; participating the last 2 years and connecting with college freshman looking to enter the energy sector.
I’m happy that I’ve been able to continue my engagement with UTSA by serving as mentor in the Klesse College’s First Generation Engineering Mentorship Program, speaking at WIN Wednesdays, and participating in many of the uplifting events UTSA has offered students such as First-Gen Fest, the UTSA First-Gen STEM Scholars Event, and the Women In Engineering Lunch. Being of service to our community of students has been something very defining and rewarding in my life.
What I’d like to share with current students is a reminder that they’ll find themselves in a position to be able to help others based on their own unique set of experiences and their own unique gifts. Whether its volunteering, mentoring, organizing, etc.; don’t underestimate the impact these experiences have on someone else’s life, even your own, for the better.
— Storm Goodman
