Jaime Nicholson (BSW 2020) has been named Alamo Area Student of the Year by the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

A military veteran, Nicholson played a pivotal, on-the-ground role with a pilot program that serves the homeless in District 1. She was OLLU’s first social work intern in the District 1 Council office.

District 1 City Councilman Robert Trevino praised her service.

“Ms. Nicholson’s dedication to serving her community is at the heart of the successful District 1 pilot initiative, the Homeless Outreach Program, adopted into the 2021 City Budget,” Trevino said. “Her work helped define ways to address deficiencies required to access resources. Jaime presented innovative solutions that are now included in city-wide processes.”

Cynthia Medina, Associate Professor of Social Work, taught Nicholson in two social work courses and presented her the award. 

“At Our Lady of the Lake University, while juggling academics, employment and parenthood, Jaime Nicholson held leadership positions in the Worden Social Work Organization and Student Veterans Association,” Medina said. “Through her leadership and consistently insightful reflections and contributions to difficult, complex and often controversial discussions, Jaime became a trusted peer and mentor sought out for advice.”