At Our Lady of the Lake University, honoring military service means supporting the educational goals of those who serve and the families who stand beside them. The newly created Veteran Academic Liaison and Outreach Recruiter (VALOR) position brings dedicated attention to that purpose, helping military-affiliated students (MAS) connect with OLLU and navigate their academic journeys.
English professor Dr. Wallis Sanborn serves in the new role, which supports veterans, active-duty service members, spouses and dependents. His work combines academic guidance with community outreach, strengthening connections between the university and military-affiliated students throughout San Antonio.
“We want to support veterans and MAS in their academic endeavors, and we are facilitating a system dedicated to do so,” Sanborn said.
His priorities include working with campus offices to coordinate recruitment, enrollment and student support, while developing relationships with Alamo Colleges, Joint Base San Antonio and local employers. Through those partnerships, Sanborn hopes to expand OLLU’s participation in education fairs and introduce more prospective students to the university’s academic programs and small classes.
Listening to students will also help shape the work. Sanborn hopes to gather feedback about their needs and develop peer mentoring opportunities that connect incoming student veterans with those already established at OLLU. These connections can offer practical guidance, encouragement and a sense of belonging.
Veterans bring discipline, motivation, maturity and a strong commitment to others to the classroom, Sanborn said. Their professional and personal experiences enrich campus conversations and reflect values central to OLLU’s mission: trust, integrity, service and community.
That spirit of respect will also guide the university’s upcoming Veterans Day Observation Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 12:30–1:45 p.m. in the campus Mall Area. The MARC Ballroom will serve as the inclement weather location.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating Women Who Serve,” recognizes women’s contributions to the armed forces. U.S. Army veteran and OLLU doctoral candidate Jennifer M. Alamos will deliver the featured address, bringing the perspective of both military service and continued educational achievement.
Sanborn, who also chairs the ceremony committee, sees the annual observance as an opportunity to deepen understanding, express appreciation and bring the campus community together.
The day will also include a screening of No Job For A Woman: The Women Who Fought To Report WWII, directed by Michèle Midori Fillion, from 2–4 p.m. in Main Building, Room 311. Both the ceremony and film screening are open to the public and the OLLU community. Visitors may park in Lot A or other campus lots.
A separate luncheon for OLLU veterans and military-affiliated personnel will take place from 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. in Main Building, Room 311. Those attending should RSVP through their invitation.
Through VALOR and the Veterans Day observance, OLLU is putting appreciation into practice—recognizing military service while supporting students as they pursue their next goals.
For academic liaison support or information about VALOR, contact Sanborn at wsanborn@ollusa.edu or 210-431-5571.