Thank you to everyone participating in OLLU’s Demand Response Initiative. Your efforts to conserve energy during demand response events are making a measurable impact on our campus and helping the university earn money back from CPS Energy.
To date, OLLU has achieved 67.64% of its committed goal, with an estimated incentive of $5,681.81. We’re making great progress and are well on our way to reaching our target.
Keep up the great work, and be sure to review the detailed statistics below to see how your collective efforts are helping OLLU save energy and maximize our incentive.
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) will introduce a new tradition during its 2026 Convocation with the inaugural State of the University, a mandatory quarterly gathering designed to strengthen communication, transparency, and collaboration among faculty and staff.
Held four times each year — August, November, February and May — the State of the University will provide employees with regular updates on the university’s strategic priorities, institutional direction, key initiatives, and administrative policies. Cabinet members will deliver brief reports on their quarterly goals and accomplishments, offering faculty and staff a clear understanding of the university’s progress and priorities.
In addition to administrative updates, each quarterly gathering will recognize university accomplishments and milestones. This year’s Convocation will also mark the debut of the Customer Service Excellence Award, a new recognition honoring staff members that create a welcoming, respectful, and caring environment for students, colleagues, visitors, and the university community.
Every member of the OLLU community will have the opportunity to nominate a deserving colleague. Nominations must include specific examples describing when and how the employee demonstrated exceptional customer service, the actions they took, and the positive impact those actions had on students, coworkers, visitors, or other members of the university community. The deadline for submitting nominations is Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by 5pm.
Nominees should consistently demonstrate one or more of the following qualities:
Exceptional service to students through compassion, responsiveness, patience, and professionalism.
Kindness, courtesy, and respect toward students, colleagues, visitors, and community members.
Pride in maintaining a clean, safe, attractive, and welcoming campus environment.
Collaboration across departments to ensure seamless service and successful outcomes.
Responsiveness, reliability, and clear, professional communication. Initiative and problem-solving by removing barriers and taking ownership of challenges.
Professionalism, integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
A positive, solution-oriented attitude, even during difficult situations.
A commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence.
A daily embodiment of OLLU’s mission and values through hospitality, service, community, compassion, respect, integrity, trust, and the spirit of Providence.
Celebrating Community
While the State of the University will focus on institutional updates and employee recognition, it will also celebrate the university community through interactive games, prizes, and giveaways.Lunch will be provided.
Submit a nomination by August 4th by 5pm below. (If your nominee was not selected, please know that their contributions are valued and they may be considered during a future nomination period.)
Faculty from Our Lady of the Lake University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and St. Mary’s University have published a new peer-reviewed article in the inaugural issue of Literate Activity: Perspectives on Textual Practices in the World that explores how interdisciplinary teaching can strengthen science education and prepare students for today’s workforce.
The article, “Composing Science: Everyday Genres and the Power of Literate Activity,” highlights an innovative assignment developed in BIOL1410: Environmental Science & Sustainability II, a lower-division general education course at OLLU. The project brought together expertise from Environmental Science and English faculty to help students translate complex scientific concepts into engaging, public-facing formats like short-form animations, infographics, videos, games, and social media content.
In an era when misinformation is widespread and scientific issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and public health affect communities every day, scientists must do more than conduct research; they must also communicate their work in ways that are accurate, accessible, and meaningful to the public. This project demonstrates that science communication is not a “soft skill,” but an essential component of scientific literacy and professional preparation.
The publication also reflects the interdisciplinary philosophy of OLLU’s Environmental Science & Sustainability program, where students combine scientific knowledge with communication, creativity, critical thinking, and community engagement to solve real-world environmental challenges. By designing authentic assignments with audiences beyond the classroom, students gain practical experience developing the skills increasingly sought by employers and graduate programs.
The article features numerous examples of student-created projects developed in the course. Additional examples of student work can be viewed on the Department of Mathematics and Science YouTube channel (@OLLUDeptMathSci), on Dr. Briana Hauff Salas’s Instagram page (@brianasalasphd), or are available upon request. The full article is available open access here:https://wacclearinghouse.org/docs/literate-activity/v1n1/hum-crosswhite-salas.pdf
OLLU’s Fall 2026 enrollment continues to gain momentum, reaching 1,519 students as we work toward our goal of 1,800. Every new Saint strengthens our university, advances our mission, and expands our ability to transform lives through education.
As we celebrate this milestone, remember that every student counts. Whether you’re participating in our internal enrollment challenge, referring a prospective student, sharing your OLLU experience, or welcoming visitors to campus, every interaction plays an important role in helping us reach our goal.
Enrollment success is a shared commitment across the OLLU community. From faculty and staff to student ambassadors and alumni, each conversation, connection, and act of service helps prospective students see the value of an OLLU education. Together, we are building momentum and creating opportunities for future Saints to thrive.
With 281 students to go, every effort makes a difference. Thank you for your continued dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to helping OLLU reach our Fall 2026 enrollment goal of 1,800 students. Together, we can finish strong.
As a community rooted in faith and inspired by the enduring mission of Our Lady of the Lake University, we give thanks for the individuals whose ministry and leadership have nurtured the spiritual life of our campus. Their faithful service reminds us that God’s work is carried forward through those who generously answer the call to serve others.
Today, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to Father Kevin Fausz, CM for his many years of devoted service as University Chaplain. Through his compassionate pastoral presence, celebration of the sacraments, guidance, and unwavering commitment to our Catholic identity, Fr. Kevin has accompanied our students, faculty, staff, and alumni on their journeys of faith. His ministry has been a source of comfort, encouragement, and hope, helping to cultivate a campus community embedded in the Gospel and dedicated to the dignity of every person. We thank Fr. Kevin for the many ways he has shared his gifts with the OLLU family and pray that God continues to bless him in the next chapter of his ministry.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to Jacqueline Walter for her faithful and dedicated service as Interim Director of University Ministry during the past year. With generosity, grace, and steadfast leadership, Jacqueline guided our ministry through a season of transition while continuing to foster opportunities for prayer, service, faith formation, and community. Her dedication to our students and to the mission of OLLU has been a true blessing, and we are deeply grateful for her willingness to serve wherever she was needed.
It is now with great joy and hope that we welcome Friar Mario L. Serrano, OFM Conv., as our new Director of University Ministry and University Chaplain. As an OLLU alumnus and former Director of University Ministry from 2012 to 2016, Friar Mario returns with a deep understanding of our university’s mission and a heartfelt commitment to accompanying students in their faith, discernment, and personal growth. Anchored in the Franciscan tradition of humility, simplicity, joy, and service, he brings a renewed spirit of accompaniment and a passion for helping our community encounter Christ in one another.
We are truly blessed to welcome Friar Mario back home to OLLU and look forward to the many ways his leadership and ministry will enrich the spiritual life of our university. Please join us in offering him a warm Saints welcome as he begins this new chapter with our community on Monday, August 3, 2026.
As we celebrate these transitions, let us give thanks for Fr. Kevin’s enduring ministry, Jackie’s faithful leadership, and Friar Mario’s return to OLLU. May we continue, together, to be a community that leads in service with faith and wisdom, and faithfully carries forward the mission entrusted to us by our founders and sponsors, the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence.
May God bless each of them abundantly, and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide Our Lady of the Lake University in all that we do.
With gratitude and blessings,
Gloria Urrabazo, MA, LMSW Vice President for Mission and Ministry Our Lady of the Lake University
Friar Mario L. Serrano, OFM Conv., has experienced fraternity locally and globally. During his formation as a Franciscan friar, he was privileged to have mission experiences in Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. Most recently, Friar Mario has also participated in fraternal events in Zambia and Kenya. His ability to speak Spanish gave him the unique opportunity to gather with friars from around the world in Assisi for the 2019 and 2025 General Chapters as an English-Spanish translator.
Before becoming the Province Secretary and Vocation Director for the Franciscan Friars Conventual, Province of Our Lady of Consolation, Friar Mario engaged in university ministry for 12 years in three different settings: at a Catholic University, a University Parish, and a Diocesan University Student Center.
As Vocation Director, Friar Mario’s mission is to guide and support young people in their journey of discernment, helping them recognize how God is working within them to bring about transformation to the world, perhaps as a Franciscan friar. His role is not just a title but a commitment to the spiritual growth of others.
OLLU’s Fall 2026 enrollment’s consistent growth has reached 1,453 students as we continue working toward our goal of 1,800. Every new student strengthens our university, advances our mission, and creates new opportunities to transform lives through education.
As we celebrate reaching this latest milestone, remember that every student counts. Whether you’re in our internal enrollment challenge or helping recruit the next generation of Saints, every action, conversation, referral, and connection makes a difference.
Reaching our enrollment goal is a shared effort across the OLLU community. From welcoming prospective students and their families to sharing your OLLU story, supporting recruitment events, or providing exceptional service to current and future Saints, your contributions help build momentum and inspire confidence in the OLLU experience.
Together, we can continue growing our community one student at a time. Every student matters. Every effort brings us closer to our goal.
Thank you for your continued commitment to OLLU and for helping us build a stronger future for our Saints.
Dr. Stacy Ybarra Evans, Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Our Lady of the Lake University, has received multiple national invitations recognizing her leadership in the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education.
This July, Dr. Evans will attend the Google AI Educator Series: CTL Academy in New York City, an invitation-only professional development program that brings together directors of teaching and learning centers and faculty development leaders from across the country. Hosted by Google for Education in partnership with ISTE+ASCD, the academy focuses on advancing AI literacy, supporting faculty, and developing campus strategies for the ethical and effective use of AI. Participants will explore topics including AI policy, academic integrity, curriculum redesign, digital trust, and responsible implementation before returning to their institutions with tools to lead AI professional development.
In addition to the Google Academy, Dr. Evans will serve as a featured panelist at Building Blackboard Together 2026 (BbT26) in Dallas. Her session, “Exploring the Threat of AI Agents: Pedagogy, Technology, and Security,” will examine how the emergence of agentic AI is transforming academic integrity and assessment. Joining national experts from Blackboard and the University of Phoenix, Dr. Evans will discuss strategies for combining pedagogy, technology, and security to foster authentic student learning and prepare institutions for the future of AI in education.
Dr. Evans has also been invited to participate in the Strategic Leadership Summit, an exclusive gathering of higher education leaders held in conjunction with BbT26. The summit convenes institutional leaders and industry experts to discuss innovative approaches to improving student outcomes, supporting faculty, and advancing institutional effectiveness.
These prestigious invitations reflect OLLU’s growing national presence in the evolving field of artificial intelligence and underscore the University’s commitment to preparing faculty to use emerging technologies responsibly, ethically, and equitably. Through the Center for Teaching Excellence, Dr. Evans will bring back new knowledge, resources, and best practices to support faculty development and enhance student learning across the University.
Dr. Evans expressed her appreciation to Candace de León-Zepeda, Ph.D., Dean of Academics and Associate Provost, for her continued support and for providing the opportunity to represent OLLU on the national stage.
Our Lady of the Lake University is participating in the CPS Energy Demand Response Program, an initiative that rewards the University for reducing electricity use during periods of peak energy demand. Every time we meet the program’s energy reduction goals, OLLU can earn incentive dollars that are reinvested back into the University.
During our last demand response event, we came just shy of the 50% participation threshold, reaching just under 49%. We’re close—but we need everyone’s help to cross the finish line.
When you receive the next Informacast notification announcing a demand response event, please do your part by:
Turning off lights when they’re not needed.
Powering down computers, monitors, printers, and other electronics when possible.
Unplugging chargers and small appliances.
Reducing unnecessary energy use until the event ends.
Every action counts. A few simple steps taken across campus can make a significant impact, helping OLLU meet the participation threshold and earn funds that benefit our campus community.
Keep an eye out for the next Informacast alert—and when it arrives, power down to help OLLU give back. Together, we can make every watt count.
