UT San Antonio Opens San Pedro II to Fuel Downtown Tech Growth

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) has officially expanded its footprint in the heart of the city with the opening of San Pedro II. This 180,000-square-foot facility, which celebrated its ribbon cutting on April 6, 2026, is designed to serve as a catalyst for education, research, and economic mobility within San Antonio’s rapidly growing technology corridor.

By establishing this high-tech hub downtown, the university isn’t just adding square footage; it’s creating a “living laboratory” where students can apply classroom theories to real-world challenges. The facility aims to bridge the gap between academic study and professional employment, ensuring graduates enter the job market with a competitive edge.

A New Home for AI, Cyber, and Computing

A significant portion of the San Pedro II facility will be occupied by the College of AI, Cyber and Computing. This move expands the college’s presence beyond the Main Campus and San Pedro I, placing students directly in the city’s urban core.

The college provides a robust academic pipeline, including:

• 11 undergraduate programs, featuring one of the nation’s only bachelor’s degrees in Applied Data Analytics.
• 12 graduate programs.
• Six graduate-level certificate programs.

This academic structure focuses on the intersection of cybersecurity and data science, preparing students for fast-evolving fields in the tech industry.

Connecting Talent with Industry

The strategic location of San Pedro II along downtown’s San Pedro Creek is intentional. According to UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy, the investment is designed to directly connect student talent with industry, government, and community partners. This collaboration is intended to drive innovation and fuel economic growth throughout San Antonio.

Heather Shipley, UT San Antonio provost and senior executive vice president for academic affairs, emphasized that the facility advances a vision of a university deeply connected to “place, people, and purpose.” The goal is to ensure that the more than 5,000 already-enrolled students are career-ready upon graduation.

Real-World Research: Digital Twins and Self-Driving Cars

The facility already hosts cutting-edge research. Research scientist Jaron Burns recently demonstrated a heat transfer simulation using a digital twin recreation of San Antonio. By using photogrammetry and Nvidia Omniverse for physics simulations, researchers can study how building placement affects heat distribution—critical data for improving the safety of self-driving cars.

Key Takeaways: San Pedro II at a Glance

• Size: 180,000 square feet.
• Location: Downtown San Antonio’s high-tech corridor.
• Primary Focus: AI, cybersecurity, computing, and data science.
• Student Impact: Serves over 5,000 enrolled students.
• Strategic Goal: To enhance workforce readiness and economic mobility in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the San Pedro II facility?

San Pedro II is designed to elevate student success and workforce readiness by providing hands-on learning opportunities and industry networking in San Antonio’s technology corridor.

Which college will be based in the new building?

The College of AI, Cyber and Computing will occupy much of the facility, expanding its reach from the Main Campus and San Pedro I.

What makes the Applied Data Analytics program unique?

It is one of the only bachelor’s programs of its kind in the United States, sitting at the intersection of data science and cybersecurity.

Looking Ahead

The opening of San Pedro II represents a significant bet by UT San Antonio on the future of the city’s tech workforce. As the university continues to integrate its academic programs with the surrounding industry, San Antonio is positioned to strengthen its status as a burgeoning hub for artificial intelligence and cybersecurity innovation.