Posted on May 20, 2025 by Rebekah Alegria
Experiential learning and community impact go hand in hand through the Carlos Alvarez College of Business Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship (SURE) program.
UTSA Alvarez SURE participants 2025
Ten UTSA business students worked side-by-side this spring with 20 local entrepreneurs to co-develop viable business strategies, offering professional consulting support while gaining hands-on experience that bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice.
“We want to be a force for good in the community and give students an opportunity to get their hands dirty,” said Jonathon Halbesleben, dean of the Alvarez College of Business. “This program achieves both of these objectives. We need the passion of small business entrepreneurs to help grow the San Antonio economy.”
Launched as a pilot in 2024, the program doubled in size this year and is based on a model developed in Houston. Offered free of cost to participating entrepreneurs, SURE provides critical support to business owners at all stages, many of whom are launching or formalizing their ventures for the first time.
“We think of ourselves as a team of consultants who are collectively responsible for providing excellent service to our clients,” said Purnima Chawla, associate professor of practice in management and director of entrepreneurship education. “Students start out in learning mode, but by mid-semester they’re participating as equals, setting strategy and earning the trust of their entrepreneurs. That growth in confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.”
Run as an academic course, the students and entrepreneurs meet weekly and participate in structured lessons and collaborative assignments. Students and entrepreneurs are grouped into industry-based pods, with each student typically supporting two to three entrepreneurs. Each week, the group focuses on a specific section of the business plan, gradually building toward a complete, viable strategic roadmap.
For Steven Santon, an MBA student graduating in May 2025, the program offered a unique chance to engage with businesses at various stages of development. “As a small business owner and aspiring consultant, I wanted to sharpen my problem-solving skills across industries,” he said. “The hands-on experience has been invaluable, not just professionally, but personally. Working with entrepreneurs taught me how important it is to balance empathy with pragmatism.”
That spirit of discovery, purpose and service lies at the heart of the program. “Students learn how messy business decisions can be, how to adapt in real time and how to lead with empathy,” said Chawla. “But more than anything, they learn that their advice matters, and that they can make a real impact even before they graduate.”
“The SURE Program has been a turning point for me,” said graduating MBA student Ruth Navarro. “It helped me clarify that I want to pursue a path in consulting, specifically supporting women in leadership. I now have the confidence and direction to turn that goal into something real.” 
SURE’s collaborative model is supported by partnerships with local economic development groups such as SAGE, Prosper West, LaunchSA and the UTSA Small Business Development Center.
“Many of our entrepreneurs don’t know what they don’t know,” Chawla added. “The SURE curriculum walks them through all aspects of their business, so their final plan is strategic, coherent and complete. It’s not just theoretical; it’s about helping them succeed in the real world.”
Gaining tools and knowledge that are invaluable to new entrepreneurs, this year’s class leaves with the ability to stand up new businesses and support San Antonio’s economic development. “I came here with an idea, and I left with a plan,” said Mareshah Dickens. “We gained the tools to start us down the path to success.”
— Rebekah Alegria
