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Dr. Manuel P. Berriozábal joined UTSA as a mathematics professor in 1976. Three years later, he addressed a need to establish the Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) to create a pathway for Hispanic youth in San Antonio to participate in educational opportunities in STEM areas. The program created equitable access for generations of underrepresented students in STEM by offering low cost, active learning, on-campus experiences, as well as motivating and inspiring speakers.
His wife, María Antonietta Berriozábal, also supported this mission to create equitable opportunities for access to higher education and likewise led a life of public service. In 1981, she became the first Latina to be elected to the San Antonio City Council, where she served for a decade. She continued collaborating with others to advocate for the DREAM Act and addressed issues of housing, gentrification, energy, poverty, water and human and civil rights.
Today, PREP has more than 50,000 Texas alumni, with over 65% of participants identifying as Hispanic and 53% as female. Equally as important, the program has become so well regarded that universities across the country have adopted the model. PREP now exists at 33 sites in 25 cities and seven states.
To honor Dr. B's innovation and commitment to advancing San Antonio through the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for middle and high school students and expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds to access a college degree, UTSA is proud to name the PREP program in his honor.
“Dr. Berriozábal has left a legacy at UTSA. He made critical STEM programming accessible and more equitable for young people in San Antonio.” - Araceli Martinez Ortiz, UTSA’s Microsoft Endowed Professor of Engineering and director of PREP
You can help honor Dr. Berriozábal’s legacy with a gift of any size. Donations are directly invested into the future of the program, continuing the work and commitment Dr. Berriozábal began in 1979.
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The PREP Class of 2001 gathers on the UTSA Main Campus
Manual Berriozábal congratulates a student on stage for completion of the PREP program during closing ceremonies.