Posted on May 2, 2025 by College of Sciences
#UTSAGrad25
Grace Hart
BS in Mathematics
Solving for X and Finding Her Place
By Ryan Schoensee
Grace spent the last decade growing up in San Antonio and has a strong support network in the city that includes her family, friends, and her dog Rosie.
Grace's decision to transfer to UTSA in fall 2023 was a homecoming. After three semesters at the University of Redlands in California, she decided to return to the Lone Star State. She was considering several schools in the UT System, but UTSA ultimately felt like the perfect fit.
"The ease of transferring to UTSA, the renewed opportunity and revitalized energy surrounding the university, and the abundant support system that I still had in San Antonio, were all great reasons to transfer to UTSA," said Grace.
Now, Grace is a senior majoring in Mathematics and is preparing to cross the stage this spring. She belongs to a select cohort of students who were accepted into the Honors College at the time they transferred to UTSA, which only happens to a little more than 10% of all Honors students as most are admitted into the college either as freshman or after they transfer.
Grace is grateful for the support she received from UTSA during the transfer process. For instance, she was concerned that transferring out of state would set her back in credits and keep her from graduating this spring. Grace worked with team members at both institutions and was able to receive the support she needed to graduate on time.
Although she was a transfer student, Grace quickly found her place in the Roadrunner community. She is an active member of Women in STEM (WIS) and currently serves as President of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society for Transfer Students.
After becoming a Roadrunner, Grace learned that another reason UTSA stands out from other universities is through its commitment to student success.
"No matter where you are in your college journey, or your financial need, or the timeline for finishing your degree, UTSA has so many amazing resources and caring staff who are here to help students succeed."
Grace didn't start her college journey as a math major, but after taking Calculus I she realized she truly loved mathematics.
"I like to joke that I was tricked into this major, since I fulfilled all my 'fun' calculus requirements before beginning my analysis courses when I transferred to UTSA, but all those proofs and coding classes have really helped me academically," said Grace. "These courses have strengthened my critical thinking skills, problem solving techniques, and introduced me to some of my best friends along with so many supportive mentors."
Outside of the classroom, Grace has participated in the San Antonio Ambassador Summer Internship program, a program sponsored by the City of San Antonio to expose college students to experiential learning opportunities and innovative career paths through internships, professional development workshops, and networking opportunities. This program helped Grace connect with local nonprofits such as interning for the Witte Museum where she helped with a wide variety of events in preparation for the upcoming school year and special exhibits. Grace enjoyed the experience so much that she continues to volunteer at the museum to this day.
Additionally, Grace spent the past two years tutoring K-12 students at the Mathnasium in Boerne, a supplemental learning center for math instruction. Grace is also a Suicide Loss Survivor and is passionate about mental health advocacy and regularly attends events and fundraisers held by the South Texas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
As she prepares to graduate this spring, Grace is excited to explore her professional options and is considering careers in cybersecurity or teaching high school math. She encourages future Roadrunners to approach their academic journey in the same way–with an open mind.
"Don't be afraid to explore different classes for your general education credits. You might find a subject or a professor that changes everything."
— College of Sciences
Explore the Mathematics Department!
Dedicated to research, high-quality instruction, and community engagement that embraces excellence by empowering its undergraduate and graduate students, especially those from backgrounds underrepresented in the mathematical sciences.
Recent Mathematics Spotlights
View More Spotlights
