UTSA Course Costs Zero: Student Labor Builds Ofrenda

The University of the Texas at San Antonio’s Student Union first floor hosts an ofrenda featuring alebrijes through November 2. The display serves as the final output for a hands-on Honors College course that has operated since 2018. Students build the altar as a collaborative team project, treating the exhibit as a practical exercise in project management rather than a simple art assignment.

The course structure requires students to divide responsibilities and hold one another accountable for their contributions. They establish group expectations and manage the workflow needed to assemble a complex cultural display. This approach mirrors the operational requirements of small business or startup environments, where distinct roles must align to deliver a tangible product.

Alegra Lozano, associate professor of practice and assistant dean of Academic Counseling and Student Success, notes that the project allows students to apply soft skills in a real-world setting. She stated that students have used the experience on résumés and in interviews to demonstrate project management, agency of accomplishment, and intercultural confidence. The tangible nature of the work provides concrete evidence of these competencies for future employers.

Junior Mady Pastrano enrolled in the course to engage with the subject matter through direct action. She cited the hands-on experience as a primary factor in her decision to register. Working alongside peers from various academic disciplines allowed her to learn from different professional perspectives while contributing her own specific skills to the group effort.

The curriculum extends beyond the classroom by requiring students to attend a Día de los Muertos community event in San Antonio. This requirement connects the academic work with the local traditions celebrated throughout the city. The course blends cultural exploration with the practical demands of collaborative work.

Lozano emphasizes that the exchange of ideas is central to the course design. The project brings students together around a shared goal while recognizing the diverse skills each person brings. The final exhibit acts as a physical demonstration of the team’s ability to coordinate, communicate, and execute a plan within a set timeframe.

The exhibit remains on display until the end of the day on November 2. Students are responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the ofrenda during the course duration. The project concludes with the removal of the display after the final date, marking the end of the semester’s practical component.