About Us
UIW’s Student Center: The Heart and Soul of Student Engagement
The University of the Incarnate Word’s mission emphasizes development of the whole student, promoting a community of enlightened citizens. To fulfill its mission effectively, UIW has rebuilt and expanded the Student Center, at the heart of the campus. The existing building of 48,000 square feet was replaced with one that is triple the current size, with new but “timeless” architectural features to create an inviting space with abundant natural light.UIW has over 90 student organizations, all of whom meet regularly and participate in community service projects. More groups are forming each year. This growth in student organizations reflects the overall enrollment growth of the university. In Fall 2018, UIW enrolled over 8,000 students, making UIW the third-largest private university in Texas.
The new Student Engagement Center (SEC) is both a student union, where co-curricular activities are concentrated, and a services center, where representatives from UIW’s business and campus life offices will provide a “one-stop shop” for students’ needs. The SEC enhances the students’ experience for recruitment, development and success through graduation, by providing quality facilities for collaborative programs and services. These areas have been expanded:
- Engagement Access: The Student Engagement Center offers service kiosks and virtual access for key student services. Offices for Campus Life, Veterans Affairs, Advising and Tutoring are located in the new SEC.
- Student Meeting Spaces: New offices, meeting rooms and community spaces are designated for student organizations such as the Campus Activities Board, Student Government Association, and the Greek sororities and fraternities. The Student Engagement Center includes conference rooms to conduct meetings and business. Spaces such as lounges and hallway seating areas are scattered throughout the building to encourage informal gatherings, as students study, talk, relax and socialize, creating the sense that they are at the heart of the UIW campus.
- Dining and Extracurricular Activities: The SEC offers a dining facility with diverse, branded options, a ballroom for special formal events and large gatherings, and retail options such as a pub/game room. The outdoor patio offers another place to eat or just hang out.
- Book Store and Spirit Shop: UIW’s main bookstore is located on the first floor of the SEC.
Student services offices have also been carefully and purposely designed to meet not only the needs of our student body, but also to expand existing services. For example, the Veterans Affairs office includes a veterans’ lounge. This is a safe space for veterans and family members to visit and support one another.
The Student Engagement Center offers multiple naming opportunities… right in the heart and soul of the UIW Broadway campus.