UTSA Athletics is a national leader in supporting first-generation student-athletes. Throughout the 2025-26 school year, GoUTSA.com will spotlight the department’s first-generation student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff.
Lisa Campos was named UTSA’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics on November 17, 2017. A first-generation college graduate, Campos earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colorado State University and her Ed.D. from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college graduate?
Lisa Campos: “Growing up, my parents always instilled the importance of education for me. As they did not receive a formal education, they wanted a much better life for me. They knew that education would really change the trajectory of my life. They knew that education would open doors for me later in life. I was really fortunate that they always talked about how important getting a college degree is.”
Q: How is attending college as a first-generation student a unique experience?
Lisa Campos: “As a first-generation college graduate, going on to a college campus was really foreign to me. I didn’t know what to expect; I didn’t know how classes were arranged. But I was really fortunate that I had mentors on campus, I had tutors on campus and that support helped me figure out how to navigate this world of college. It’s a new experience for first-gen students. Just from class scheduling to working with professors to getting the support needed, first-gen students just need a lot of support and a lot of education about what the college experience is like.”
Q: How much pride do you take in working at a university that serves such a large population of first-generation college students?
Lisa Campos: “My entire career, I’ve always chosen to work at colleges that serve first-generation students because I really want to give back. My undergraduate and graduate experience was incredible. Colorado State was ahead of its time in serving first-generation students. They provided such wrap-around support for me. They helped me understand what the college experience should be and how I can access support. To be able to give back to first-generation students is really important to me. When you look at my career path and the schools I’ve worked at, it’s been at schools that really support first-generation students.”
Q: Did being a first-generation college student influence your decision to work in higher education?
Lisa Campos: “Being a first-generation college graduate really motivated my desire to work in higher education. One thing about first-generation students, we don’t even know all the different careers out there. I had no idea there was an opportunity to work in higher ed. I didn’t even know that was a possibility until I started getting the support at Colorado State University, learning who these professors were and learning who these student affairs professionals were. I realized that I could work at a college campus the rest of my life. Being able to give back, being able to walk in the shoes of first-generation college students, knowing what their experience is and being able to support them is a big reason why I chose to work in higher ed.”
Q: What is the most valuable trait that you bring to your job as a first-generation college graduate?
Lisa Campos: “It’s just being able to walk in the shoes of first-gen students, knowing first-hand the experiences that they’re having, whether it’s being homesick, having parents or family members who don’t really understand what college is about or stepping on a college campus for the first time not knowing even what that process looks like. I have that first-hand knowledge of how scary it can be to be on a college campus as a first-gen student. I think that’s probably the most unique trait that I have that can support our students.”
Q: How important are athletics to first-generation college students?
Lisa Campos: “Athletics plays a huge role in supporting first-gen students in a lot of different ways. Outside of the GI Bill, we know that the NCAA scholarship program is the second-largest scholarship program for students and a lot of those students are first-gen students. A lot of times, first-gen students don’t have the monetary means to go to college so scholarships give first-gen students that opportunity. On the flip side, from my experience, just getting engaged on campus as a first-gen student, I felt a part of the college campus because I went to football games, I watched Becky Hammon play in basketball games. I was part of that college life and that’s what helped me get through my four years as a first-gen student. Athletics has a way of not just helping current student-athletes but helping all first-gen students on the college campus.”
Q: What advice would you give to other first-generation college students?
Lisa Campos: “There are so many resources out there. Don’t let money be a reason why you don’t complete your college education. There’s also so much support out there. Take advantage of everyone who is out there wanting to help you. I think that was one of the biggest lessons I learned. There are so many people like me who want to see first-gen students be successful. Take advantage of those opportunities; ask for help. Go visit your student affairs professionals or anyone else who you know wants to help you be successful.”