Our Lady of the Lake University is redefining the college experience by becoming the first university in Texas to offer accredited three-year bachelor’s degree pathways. Designed to help students graduate sooner, reduce educational costs, and enter the workforce or graduate school faster, these innovative programs provide a streamlined route to earning a high-quality OLLU degree.
Beginning with select undergraduate programs, students can complete their bachelor’s degree in as little as three years through pathways requiring 91–96 credit hours. The programs maintain OLLU’s rigorous academic standards while reducing excess elective requirements, allowing students to focus on the courses most relevant to their career goals.
The new degree model reflects OLLU’s ongoing commitment to innovation, affordability, and student success. By shortening time to graduation, students can reduce overall educational expenses and begin pursuing professional opportunities sooner. The initiative also aligns with OLLU’s mission to create accessible pathways to higher education and workforce readiness.
Students interested in learning more about OLLU’s three-year degree options can explore available programs and admission requirements through the university’s Three-Year Degree webpage.
Early afternoon on May 8, 2025 (San Antonio time), the world heard, “I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian.” In the days that followed, my curiosity led me deeper into learning about Saint Augustine and his teachings of interiority, restless hearts, true happiness, unity over uniformity, and love for the poor. One year into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV continues to model these Augustinian values while calling on Catholic institutions to respond faithfully to the realities of our time.
Last week, I joined a group of Catholic higher education presidents for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) Rome Seminar, where we explored a suite of timely topics relevant to our sector. It is abundantly clear that higher education is undergoing profound transformation. Change is occurring in student expectations, technology, workforce demands, demographic realities. All the while, the pace of change continues to accelerate.
What struck me most was that regardless of institutional size, location, endowment amount, focus, or relative strength or fragility, every one of my presidential colleagues is navigating significant institutional transformation. The challenges might appear different from campus to campus, but the reality is shared: institutions that wish to serve future generations must continually evolve to meet the needs of their time. This observation strengthened a conviction that has continued to emerge at OLLU in our time together. Transformation is stewardship. It is our obligation to continually align our mission, programs, operations, and student experience with the realities of the world our students will inherit.
We, too, will continue to embrace transformation and evolution as we steward OLLU and position our institution for a bright tomorrow. Our work around Focused Differentiation, operational excellence, student success, and institutional sustainability is rooted in our shared commitment.
In our private audience with His Holiness last week, Pope Leo acknowledged both the importance of our ministry and the challenges facing Catholic education. He reminded us that Catholic institutions “are called to be a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline, and every interaction.” Those words resonated deeply with me. They remind us that our mission is not preserved by being static. Rather, it is strengthened when we continually renew how we live it.
In closing, I respectfully share with you two photos from our time with Pope Leo, and I pass along his blessing which he asked that I carry to each of you: “I cordially impart my apostolic blessing, which I willingly extend to the people, the communities, and the institutions you represent.”
Please remember that you are a gift to our university and to the world. The future of OLLU will be shaped by the talents, creativity, dedication, and faithfulness of our community; by you. As we continue this important work together, may we embrace transformation as an act of stewardship and a faithful response to the needs of our time.
An OLLU-affiliated public art project has been nominated in the San Antonio Current’s citywide “Best of San Antonio” competition under the “Best Mural” category. This semester, students in Professor Gonzalez’s Barrio Arts and Popular Culture class partnered with community members to help restore the historic Segundo de Febrero Mural at the Cassiano Homes public housing complex.
The mural honors Segundo de Febrero and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, marking an important chapter in Mexican American history and identity. We are grateful to Juan Hernandez and Tache Torres, the original artists, as well as the Segundo de Febrero Committee, Opportunity Home, and Councilwoman Teri Castillo for allowing our students to be part of this meaningful project. Please vote to help recognize this important mural and the community history it represents: Best Mural Vote.
Our Lady of the Lake University continues to strengthen its commitment to academic excellence, cultural preservation, and community engagement with the expansion of Mexican American Studies on campus.
As part of this effort, the university is integrating the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research into broader academic and student programs, creating greater opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.
Additionally, important archival materials will be moved into the university library, improving accessibility for students, faculty, and the public while supporting the long-term preservation of these invaluable cultural resources.
This initiative reflects OLLU’s mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution—honoring the rich history and contributions of Mexican American communities while fostering new pathways for research, learning, and engagement.
Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) will bring its large-scale free dental clinic to Our Lady of the Lake University on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, marking the first time the organization has hosted an event at OLLU. TMOM’s mission is to improve oral health and quality of life for underserved Texans by providing access to free, basic dental care through mobile clinic events.
The clinic is expected to treat approximately 400 to 500 patients each day. Services will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with patients lining up beginning at 5 a.m. both mornings.
Patients attending the clinic will complete registration, have their vital signs checked, receive dental X-rays, and then undergo treatment. Services will include cleanings, fillings, and extractions — all provided free of charge, with no insurance required.
Hundreds of volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists, medical assistants, and registration staff, will support the two-day event. Registration will take place in OLLU’s main building, X-rays will be conducted in the MARC, and treatment areas will be located in the UWAC.
A special blessing for volunteers and staff will be held at Sacred Heart Chapel on Thursday before the clinic begins.
TMOM has hosted clinics in communities across Texas, but this appears to be the organization’s first event at OLLU and potentially its first major clinic in San Antonio. The outreach is expected to bring significant activity to campus while providing critical dental care to hundreds of community members in need.
Two organizations dedicated to advancing economic opportunity on San Antonio’s Westside are joining forces under the leadership of CEO Ryan Kuhl, creating a stronger collaborative effort focused on community growth, entrepreneurship, and neighborhood revitalization.
Photo credit: Analco Gonzalez. Westside community members meet at the remodeled Basilica Frocks building on Martin & Zarzamora on May 20 to hear of the organizations’ merger and a status report on the historic Westside’s housing status.
ESTAR West was established with support of the Aspen Institute’s Latinos & Society Program to assist Westside entrepreneurs and small businesses through a collaborative network of resources, partnerships, and community-based initiatives. The organization works to ensure local businesses can thrive while preserving the culture and character of the historic Westside.
Photo credit: Analco Gonzalez. Westside community members meet at the remodeled Basilica Frocks building on Martin & Zarzamora on May 20 to hear of the organizations’ merger and a status report on the historic Westside’s housing status.
Prosper West San Antonio – with its tagline of Prosperity without Displacement — focuses on fostering economic development, revitalizing commercial corridors, supporting small businesses, and promoting redevelopment that benefits residents while honoring the history and identity of the community. Together, the organizations aim to expand opportunities for residents and strengthen long-term economic sustainability across the Westside.
Our Lady of the Lake University continues to support these efforts through community partnerships and by serving as home to the MAESTRO Entrepreneur Center, a university tenant dedicated to supporting small Westside businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and business development resources.
As part of this growing partnership, OLLU will also host the annual “State of the Westside” gathering later this September at Thiry Auditorium. The event brings together civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, business owners, educators, and residents to discuss opportunities, challenges, and future investments shaping the Westside.
The collaboration reflects a shared vision among community partners to support inclusive growth while preserving the cultural heritage and economic vitality of San Antonio’s Westside.
The 2025–2026 Staff Annual Performance Evaluation period is now open from May 18, 2026, through June 12, 2026, and we ask that all evaluations be completed on or before Friday, June 12, 2026, through Teamflect in Microsoft Teams. This review period covers the current academic year, June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, and provides an important opportunity to reflect on accomplishments, recognize contributions, and support continued growth across our campus community.
Please note that annual evaluations are not required for employees hired within six months before May 31, 2026, as those employees will have already received a 90-day evaluation. For guidance on completing the Staff Performance Evaluation, please refer to the instructions available on the HR SharePoint site. We are grateful for your support and for the time and care you dedicate to this important process, and we encourage you to complete your evaluations promptly to ensure they are submitted on time.
Your feedback matters. As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming campus environment, we encourage all faculty, staff, and students to take a few moments to complete the monthly housekeeping services survey.
Your input helps us better understand what is working well, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen the overall quality and responsiveness of housekeeping services across campus. Honest and constructive feedback is essential as we continue working toward operational excellence and an exceptional campus experience for our community.
Please complete the survey by clicking on the button below:
As we move forward with our Fall 2026 enrollment efforts, we want to recognize the progress we have made together and keep our focus on the path ahead. Our current enrollment is 1,232, which reflects the commitment, collaboration, and care shown across the OLLU community.
With a goal of 1,800 students, we are continuing to build momentum, and every registration brings us closer to that finish line. Enrollment is a shared responsibility, and each interaction with prospective and current students makes a meaningful difference. We can all help strengthen this effort by sharing our OLLU experience with future Saints, supporting the students already part of our community, and staying engaged in campus-wide collaboration.
As you continue to see the enrollment thermometer across campus, please remember that every step forward matters. Together, through focus, unity, and shared purpose, we can reach our goal and continue building a thriving OLLU community.
