OLLUNewsletter

Anchored in Providence: Lifting Every Student, Every Boat

A Message from the President:

Monday, September 29, 2025

This week, as Excelencia in Education hosts their Annual Convening in the midst of what feels like rough waters for education, I reflect on the Seal of Excelencia. I especially appreciate that the Seal is awarded to institutions of higher learning that demonstrate measurable and tangible results for Latino students across three verticals: Data, Practice, and Leadership. Institutions can earn the Seal when they not only enroll Latino students but also graduate them; not only when they launch programs, but also when they implement evidence-based programs that drive student success; and not only when they state expectations, but also when they embed student success into every practice, policy, and decision.

The Seal reminds me of the saying, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” If a Latino student succeeds, all students succeed. When resources are withheld from any segment of our student body, all students feel the impact; especially at tuition dependent mission driven institutions like ours.

At OLLU, we anchor ourselves in Providence and will remain tenacious and unwavering in our commitment to make each of our jobs about our students’ personal, academic, career, and faith journey. That commitment, lived in our data, practices, and leadership, is what will lift every boat, no matter the waters.

President Abel Chávez & Sarita Brown (President of Excelencia in Education)

OLLU Community Joins in Spirit at the 3rd Annual La Casita del Barrio 5K Run/Walk

This past Saturday, the OLLU campus came alive at sunrise as we proudly hosted the 3rd Annual La Casita del Barrio 5K/1K Run/Walk. From the first rays of light, participants filled “The Lake” with energy, determination, and community spirit. The early morning air was buzzing with encouragement and support, reflecting the very mission of La Casita del Barrio, a House of Neighborly Service organization dedicated to serving our community.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all OLLU volunteers who gave their time and energy to make this event possible. Your presence and dedication helped create a welcoming space for runners, walkers, and families who came together for a meaningful cause.

We also celebrate and congratulate members of our OLLU family who laced up and participated in the run. A special acknowledgment goes to the Chief of Police and MarComm Manager, who both represented OLLU with pride and enthusiasm in the course. Their example highlights the commitment of our leaders to community engagement and well-being.

As we continue to honor Hispanic Heritage Month, this event was a beautiful reminder of our shared values of service, unity, and cultural pride. La Casita del Barrio’s mission to uplift and serve resonates deeply with OLLU’s own legacy of community engagement, rooted in Hispanic heritage and Catholic social teaching.

Thank you again to everyone who joined in spirit, service, and participation. Together, we continue to strengthen our community and celebrate the vibrant culture and traditions that make OLLU a beacon of hope and connection in San Antonio.

REMINDER: Action Required On Updated OLLU Email Signatures (Mobile Version updated instructions)

As part of Our Lady of the Lake University’s institutional priority to Elevate the Brand, we have updated the official email signature templates for all employees. This includes versions for faculty, staff, Athletics, and mobile devices.

Your email signature is more than just a sign-off — it is an important part of how we present ourselves to students, alumni, partners, and the broader community. A consistent, professional look across all OLLU communications strengthens our reputation, reinforces our identity, and ensures that every message reflects the values of our university.

We ask that you please take a few moments this week to review your email signature and update it to the current format. A detailed template and step-by-step instructions are available on the Brand Identity SharePoint site for email and mobile views.

By updating your email signature, you are contributing directly to our efforts to Elevate the Brand and helping us present a unified and professional image. Thank you for your attention to this important update and for your continued commitment to OLLU’s success. If you need assistance with updating your signatures, please feel free to reach out to marcomm@ollusa.edu.

Hip Hop & We Don’t Stop Summit Brings Culture, Curriculum, and Creativity to OLLU

The International Folk Culture Center at Our Lady of the Lake University invites the community to the Hip Hop & We Don’t Stop Summit, a week-long celebration of Hip Hop culture, education, and creativity.

When: October 3-12, 2025
Where: MARC Building, 2nd Floor (411 SW 24th St.)
Free and open to all ages!

This eight-day summit explores how Hip Hop shows up in our lives and communities through classes, workshops, performances, and community gatherings. From DJing and MCing to stylewriting and dance, participants will immerse themselves in Hip Hop’s artistry and cultural impact.

Orientation Night – October 3 (5–9 p.m.)
Meet the educators, learn about upcoming classes, take part in interactive activities, and groove with DJ Mr. G. Attendees can also register for workshops, enter raffles, and connect with community.

Featured Educators and Artists

Billy “Voodoo” Angelini
Dr. “Triz” Rodriguez
Laura “LBoogie” Rios-Ramirez
Anthony “DJ Mr. G” Gordon
Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson

Special guests include Issim/Alternate Roots, LQ, Calmeca Skwad, and QthaElevated.

Event Highlights

DJ: From the Park Jam to Pro Tools – Oct. 4
MC: Women & Their Words – Oct. 4 & 6
Stylewriting Workshops – Oct. 4 & 9
The Road from Then to Now (Dance) – Oct. 7–8
MC & DJ: Rhythm and Rhyme – Oct. 9
Community Get Down – Oct. 10
From the Drumbeat to the Backbeat – Oct. 12
Summit Jam & Community Celebration – Oct. 12

All parking is free. Lot B, Moye Rd., and Providence Rd. (handicap) are available.
For questions, contact ifcc@ollusa.edu or aeortega@ollusa.edu.

IFCC Welcomes Sonya Rosario as Fall 2025 Artist in Residence

The International Folk Culture Center at Our Lady of the Lake University is proud to welcome filmmaker Sonya Rosario as the Fall 2025 Artist in Residence. Rosario’s work blends storytelling, film, and social justice, creating space for dialogue on identity, culture, and community.

She will lead two upcoming presentations open to the OLLU community and the public:

How I Tell Stories Through Filmmaking
When: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: MARC Ballroom

Conscientious Filmmaking Workshop
When: Wednesday-Thursday, November 12-13, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: MARC Ballroom

This two-day workshop will center on themes of internalized racial oppression and colorism, viewed through the lens of women and social justice films. Participants will examine film history, the role of women in cinema, and how both urban and rural life shape conscientious social justice filmmaking.

For more information, contact aeortega@ollusa.edu or ifcc@ollusa.edu

Mandatory Information Security Awareness Training is Coming

McNair Scholar Alyna Guerrero and Mentor Dr. Melissa Brennan Publish in North American Journal of Psychology

The OLLU McNair Scholars Program proudly celebrates the recent publication of McNair alumna Alyna Guerrero and her McNair mentor, Dr. Melissa Brennan, in the North American Journal of Psychology.

Their article, “Marianismo Beliefs and Mental Health Help-Seeking Attitudes Among College-Aged Latinas” (Vol. 27, Issue 3, pp. 697–714), explores the ways cultural beliefs influence attitudes toward seeking mental health support among Latina college students.

This publication reflects the impact of the McNair Scholars Program in supporting undergraduate research and mentorship that extends beyond graduation. Guerrero’s achievement is a testament to the program’s mission of preparing first-generation and underrepresented students for graduate study and scholarly contribution.

Click to Read the Full Article

Campus Directory Update

The campus directory is no longer hosted on the public website. It has been relocated to Saints Connect and can now be accessed via a dedicated tile labeled “Campus Directory.”

This directory is a live SharePoint site integrated directly with Dialpad, ensuring real-time updates. Any changes related to faculty or staff—such as new hires, departures, title updates, or contact information—reflect what is on file with the Human Resources (HR) Office.

This transition enhances accessibility for our internal community while also helping to reduce spam and protect contact information.

OLLU’s Crystal Brock Named NDCA Member of the Month

Our Lady of the Lake University’s Crystal Brock, has been named National Dance Coaches Association (NDCA) Member of the Month for September. This well-deserved honor celebrates Coach Brock’s 21 years of excellence in dance education, choreography, and spirit leadership—a career that continues to elevate OLLU Athletics and inspire dancers across the country.

Since joining OLLU in 2020, Coach Brock has built the university’s competitive cheer, dance, and drumline programs from the ground up, turning them into nationally recognized powerhouses. Under her leadership, OLLU Spirit has earned multiple NAIA and NDA/NCA national titles, including a first-place finish at the 2025 NCA College NAIA Game Day Nationals. Her teams are celebrated for their precision, performance quality, and Game Day energy. Fitting for someone whose favorite styles of dance are Pom and Game Day.

Brock was recently nominated for 2025 NDCA Collegiate Coach of the Year, after being named a finalist in both 2024 and 2025. Her commitment to excellence doe not stop at coaching. She also serves as an adjudicator for several respected organizations including Showmakers of America, Crowd Pleasers Dance, and the Texas Educators Assessment of Learning. Her leadership and judging experience continue to influence the broader spirit and dance community well beyond the OLLU campus.

In addition to her collegiate coaching success, Brock brings a wealth of experience from her time as a high school dance educator and director in San Antonio. She has led numerous high school programs to regional and national acclaim and was honored with the Northside ISD Above & Beyond Award for Outstanding Dance Educator in 2020. Her work as Head Choreographer for the 2022 feature film Say a Little Prayer, and her role in the 2024 SA Gridiron Dance Finale, showcase her creative versatility and artistic impact outside the traditional competition circuit.

Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Leadership Studies at OLLU, Coach Brock holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s in Communication Studies with a Psychology minor. She is also an active member of NDCA’s Recruitment and Membership Engagement Committee and continues to serve as a mentor, presenter, and judge across multiple spirit organizations.

The entire OLLU Athletics Department congratulates Coach Brock on this incredible recognition. Her passion, leadership, and dedication make her an invaluable part of our Saints family, and we are proud to see her work honored on a national stage.

Our Lady of the Lake Women’s Soccer Team Ranked 11th in First RPI Rankings of the Year

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women’s soccer team is off to an great start this season, earning the 11th spot in the very first Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) ranking of the year with an impressive RPI of 0.658. This ranking underscores just how promising the Saints are as they set their sights on cracking the top 25 nationally.

For those unfamiliar, the RPI is a crucial metric in college sports that evaluates a team’s success based not only on their win-loss record but also the strength of their schedule. The formula considers a team’s winning percentage, the winning percentage of their opponents, and the winning percentage of their opponents, opponents. An RPI of 0.658 places OLLU well within the upper tier of competitive teams, especially when paired with their seventh-best strength of schedule in the entire country. This means that not only are the Saints winning, but they’re going against some of the toughest competition in NAIA collegiate soccer.

The Saints will have an exciting weekend ahead as they return to their home turf for two key matchups. On Thursday, they face Texas A&M-Texarkana, a team that will surely test their abilities but one OLLU is prepared to take on. Then, on Saturday, the Saints will host Jarvis Christian in a special Alumni Day game which will be a perfect occasion to celebrate the program’s rich history while pushing forward toward future triumphs.

With such a strong foundation and the support of their home crowd, OLLU is in a prime position to make a statement and crack the top 25 national rankings. Fans and alumni alike should be proud of how far the team has come and excited for the potential that lies ahead. The Saints are showing everyone that they are in contention to do something great this season.