Marsha Burney, director of community outreach at the Translational Health Research Center (THRC) at Texas State University, has been selected to participate in the City of San Marcos’ 2026 UniverCity program, an eight-week civic engagement initiative designed to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at local government and opportunities for community involvement.
Originally launched in 2023, the UniverCity program provides participants with an inside view of how city departments operate and how they serve the San Marcos community. The free program includes informational sessions with city leadership and staff, highlighting the services, programs and infrastructure that support residents and visitors across the city.
Burney joins a competitive cohort of local residents selected for the 2026 class. Participants were notified of their acceptance on March 3, and the program began with its first session on March 10 at San Marcos City Hall.
“Programs like UniverCity provide an opportunity to be more informed and get more involved in local government,” Burney said.
“I’m excited to learn more about the city’s work, meet fellow community leaders and explore ways we can continue building partnerships that support the health and resilience of the San Marcos community.”
At THRC, Burney leads community outreach and partnership development, helping connect researchers, organizations and community stakeholders to collaborative projects that address pressing health and resilience challenges across Texas. Her participation in UniverCity reflects THRC’s broader commitment to strengthening relationships with local partners and ensuring research efforts remain responsive to community needs.
More information about the UniverCity program is available at sanmarcostx.gov/3821/San-Marcos-UniverCity.