Dr. Briana Salas’ Careers in Environmental Science seminar series will kick off this fall with a special guest lecture by Joseph Plappert, Urban Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Joseph began his career with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a regulatory biologist and now serves in San Antonio as an Urban Wildlife Biologist. In his role, he works on professional planning, habitat management, research, and public outreach focused on wildlife and natural resource management in urban areas.
Date: Friday, November 15 Time: 1:45–3:00 p.m. Location: Main 204 (with a virtual option available)
This event is free and open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear firsthand about the career journey from STEM student to environmental science professional.
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) President Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez recently sat down with the San Antonio Report to discuss his goals for the university, the challenges facing higher education, and his vision for OLLU’s future.
In the Q&A, Dr. Chávez highlighted several priorities:
Expanding access and affordability – Ensuring that higher education remains within reach for students from all backgrounds.
Strengthening student success – Focusing on retention, graduation rates, and supporting students inside and outside the classroom.
Building community connections – Deepening OLLU’s role as a partner to San Antonio and the broader South Texas region.
Innovation and growth – Exploring opportunities to expand programs, research, and partnerships that prepare graduates for today’s workforce needs.
Dr. Chávez also reflected on OLLU’s unique history and mission, noting how its foundation as a Catholic university dedicated to service continues to shape its work today.
Read the full interview to learn more about President Chávez’s perspective and vision for OLLU’s future.
Our Lady of the Lake University volleyball kicked off its 2025-26 season with a pair of matches that tested both resilience and execution. The Saints dropped a tightly contested opener against Oklahoma City University before bouncing back with a thrilling sweep of Embry-Riddle (AZ), securing the first collegiate head coaching win for Coach Swain.
In the morning match, the Saints faced a battle-tested Oklahoma City squad and came up just short in all three sets, falling 3-0 with scores of 26-24, 25-21, and 26-24. Despite the loss, the Saints displayed grit and poise throughout, staying within striking distance in every frame. Our Lady of the Lake finished the match with 41 kills and 113 total attempts, while committing 22 errors. Mia Francis and Anais Velasquez led the attack with 10 kills apiece. Lauren Reynard orchestrated the offense with 24 assists, and Chanisty Villarreal Bermea anchored the back row with a team-high 11 digs. The Saints also registered 8 team blocks and 3 service aces in a performance that showed promise despite the final result.
Later that day, the Saints returned to the court energized and determined, sweeping Embry-Riddle in three sets—though the final score didn’t come easily. After controlling the first two sets 25-19 and 25-16, the Saints found themselves in a marathon third set, rallying from behind to secure a dramatic 35-33 win and close out the match 3-0. It marked the first victory of the season for the Saints and a milestone moment for Coach Swain, who earned her first collegiate head coaching win in front of an electric crowd of 421 fans.
Anais Velasquez once again led the offensive charge with 12 kills, continuing her strong start to the season. Reynard dished out 34 assists, while Nicole Bir stepped up defensively with 5 blocks at the net. Villarreal Bermea was a force in the back row, collecting 13 digs to lead the team. As a group, the Saints improved significantly in the second match, finishing with 47 kills, just 12 errors, 35 assists, 49 digs, and 13 total blocks.
Reflecting on the team’s first win, Coach Swain said, “I’m incredibly proud of how the team fought today, especially in that final set. It was a true test of our resilience and teamwork. This win is just the beginning—we’re excited to keep building and competing hard every match.”
Our Lady of the Lake University volleyball kicked off its 2025-26 season with a pair of matches that tested both resilience and execution. The Saints dropped a tightly contested opener against Oklahoma City University before bouncing back with a thrilling sweep of Embry-Riddle (AZ), securing the first collegiate head coaching win for Coach Swain.
In the morning match, the Saints faced a battle-tested Oklahoma City squad and came up just short in all three sets, falling 3-0 with scores of 26-24, 25-21, and 26-24. Despite the loss, the Saints displayed grit and poise throughout, staying within striking distance in every frame. Our Lady of the Lake finished the match with 41 kills and 113 total attempts, while committing 22 errors. Mia Francis and Anais Velasquez led the attack with 10 kills apiece. Lauren Reynard orchestrated the offense with 24 assists, and Chanisty Villarreal Bermea anchored the back row with a team-high 11 digs. The Saints also registered 8 team blocks and 3 service aces in a performance that showed promise despite the final result.
Later that day, the Saints returned to the court energized and determined, sweeping Embry-Riddle in three sets—though the final score didn’t come easily. After controlling the first two sets 25-19 and 25-16, the Saints found themselves in a marathon third set, rallying from behind to secure a dramatic 35-33 win and close out the match 3-0. It marked the first victory of the season for the Saints and a milestone moment for Coach Swain, who earned her first collegiate head coaching win in front of an electric crowd of 421 fans.
Anais Velasquez once again led the offensive charge with 12 kills, continuing her strong start to the season. Reynard dished out 34 assists, while Nicole Bir stepped up defensively with 5 blocks at the net. Villarreal Bermea was a force in the back row, collecting 13 digs to lead the team. As a group, the Saints improved significantly in the second match, finishing with 47 kills, just 12 errors, 35 assists, 49 digs, and 13 total blocks.
Reflecting on the team’s first win, Coach Swain said, “I’m incredibly proud of how the team fought today, especially in that final set. It was a true test of our resilience and teamwork. This win is just the beginning—we’re excited to keep building and competing hard every match.”
OLLU is excited to share the highlights from a recent Q&A with Teresa Niño, who joined Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) this July as Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President for Marketing, Communications, and Engagement:
1. Leadership & Role Evolution Teresa has stepped into an expanded role that goes beyond traditional marketing—now encompassing government and alumni relations, as well as special events. Her appointment marks a shift back from an outsourced model to reestablishing in-house operations.
2. Motivated by Mission Niño shared that one of her strongest drivers for joining OLLU was the university’s legacy—as the nation’s first Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), rooted in civil rights history and a Catholic mission to educate the underserved. She feels her work now is even more critical amid mounting pressures on DEI-focused institutions.
3. A Collaborative, Campus-Wide Approach She emphasized that enhancing OLLU’s visibility isn’t a one-person role but a campus-wide effort. Whether it’s faculty, maintenance staff, or anyone who interacts with students, everyone should contribute to creating a welcoming, supportive environment.
4. Embracing Opportunity After Adversity Far from being deterred by recent budget cuts and organizational shifts, Teresa sees them as an opening—an opportunity to re-energize and showcase OLLU’s rich heritage and potential through a “Put me in, coach!” mindset.
5. Measuring Success Teresa envisions her success in increased visibility—through more stories being told, broader community recognition, and ultimately, growing student interest and enrollment.
The OLLU-Houston campus officially kicked off the 2025–2026 academic year on August 16 with a warm and energetic orientation for the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Class of 2028. Special guest Shirley Caldera, Director of Graduate Recruiting and Retention and Interim Regional Executive Director of Houston and RGV, delivered an inspiring welcome to our newest cohort.
With three consecutive years of full MFT cohorts, excitement on campus is stronger than ever. Dr. Adrianna Gil-Wilkerson, Director of the MFT Program, also introduced Dr. Lindsay McCarthy, Assistant Professor of Psychology, who joins the Houston campus faculty this year.
This fall, OLLU-Houston continues its commitment to community engagement. Graduate Admissions Counselor Victoria Sandoval is leading a partnership with the BEAR Back to School Drive—supporting BEAR (Be a Resource for CPS Kids), the only 501(c)(3) organization working directly with Texas DFPS and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults. Students proudly contributed essential items to help children in need start the school year strong.
A special standing ovation goes to the Class of 2026, who have completed more than 300 direct service hours, finished internships, and are now preparing for their licensing exams. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and accomplishments.
Here’s to a year of growth, service, and success at OLLU-Houston!
The Our Lady of the Lake University men’s soccer team is heading into the 2025 season with confidence and a lot to prove. Under the guidance of longtime head coach Shane Hurley and assistant coach Jesus Cortes, the Saints are focused on building off last season’s playoff appearance and pushing even further this fall.
OLLU came in at No. 8 in the RRAC Preseason Poll. With a solid mix of returning veterans and promising new additions, the Saints have been sharp in preseason training and are showing real chemistry on the field. There’s a clear energy around the program, one that points to a team ready to take the next step.
Coach Hurley and Coach Cortes have put a strong emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and consistency, and it’s showing in how the team is preparing. The Saints know the road won’t be easy, especially with powerhouse teams like LSU Shreveport and Xavier at the top of the conference, but there’s a belief within the group that they can compete with anyone.
“This group has shown the kind of character, commitment, and cohesion we want to see from a competitive squad,” said Coach Hurley. “They’ve been pushing themselves hard in preseason, and we’re excited to show the results of that effort.”
This year’s team is not hoping to make the playoffs alone—their goal is to compete for a championship. With momentum building and a clear sense of purpose, OLLU Men’s Soccer could be one of the surprise teams to watch in the RRAC this season.
Voting was conducted by the conference’s head coaches. Results of the poll are shown below with points calculated through a 12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 format.
Results are shown below with first-place votes appearing in parentheses.
Despite capturing their first-ever Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) regular season championship and storming through the conference tournament with wins over both perennial powers Xavier and Texas A&M-Texarkana, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) finds itself in a surprising spot heading into the 2025 volleyball season: ranked third in the preseason coaches poll.
OLLU wrapped up the 2024 season with an impressive 19-12 overall record and a near-perfect 15-1 mark in RRAC play. The Saints continued their dominance in the RRAC tournament, entering as the No. 2 seed and toppling both Xavier and TAMUT to capture the tournament crown and avenge previous title game losses.
Yet, in the 2025 preseason poll, it’s Texas A&M-Texarkana (TAMUT)—the team OLLU defeated in the tournament—that takes the top spot, earning four first-place votes. Xavier (La.) comes in second with one first-place nod, while OLLU, despite their championship pedigree, sits in third place with just one first-place vote.
Rounding out the poll are Louisiana Christian (4th), Jarvis Christian (5th), and Texas College (6th).
The conference shrinks to six teams this year following the departure of Huston-Tillotson and Paul Quinn, while University of the Southwest has paused its volleyball program for the season.
Voting was conducted by the RRAC’s head coaches, using a 6-5-4-3-2-1 points system.
The Sueltenfuss Library is pleased to announce the continuation of the Laptop and Mobile Hotspot Loan Program for the upcoming academic year. In partnership with the Information Technology Services office, this initiative has expanded digital access for students, faculty, and staff across our OLLU community. We are excited to continue providing this valuable resource.
As part of the program’s continuation, we would like to inform you of important updates to the lending policies:
Checkout Options for Hotspots: Mobile hotspots may now be borrowed for either a semester or a two-week period.
Eligibility:
Current students are eligible to request semester-long checkouts for laptops and/or mobile hotspots based on demonstrated need. Faculty, staff, and students located on the San Antonio Campus are eligible to request two-week mobile hotspot loans based on availability.
Renewals:
Laptops (Semester): Eligible for one renewal (for an additional semester). Mobile Hotspots (Semester): No renewals permitted; must be returned at semester’s end. Mobile Hotspots (Two Weeks): Eligible for one renewal (two additional weeks).
Please refer to the table below for a summary of these updates:
Laptops (SEMESTER)
Mobile Hotspots (SEMESTER)
Mobile Hotspots (TWO WEEKS)
Who can check out?
Current students only
Current students only
Current students, faculty, & staff
What campus can request?
RGV, Houston, San Antonio, online
RGV, Houston, San Antonio, online
San Antonio campus only
Renewals?
1 semester renewal (15 weeks)
No renewals
1 renewal (2 weeks)
Due to the limited supply of equipment, not all requests can be fulfilled. We kindly ask all borrowers to return devices on or before their due dates to ensure equitable access for others. For more information, please visit our Laptop and Mobile Hotspot Loan Program web page or you can email us at Library@ollusa.edu.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.
