Author: OLLUNewsletter

SECURE 2.0 Act: Roth Catch-Up Contribution Requirement Begins Jan. 1, 2026

The SECURE 2.0 Act Roth catch-up mandate goes into effect January 1,2026.

What is the “Roth catch-up” mandate

• The mandate originates from the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. Under this law, catch-up contributions for older plan participants (e.g. 50+) — extra contributions beyond standard 401(k)/403(b)/457 deferral limits — may in certain cases have to go into Roth (after-tax) accounts rather than traditional pre-tax accounts.

• Specifically, the requirement applies when a participant’s “wages” (as defined for Social Security / FICA) from the prior year exceed a certain threshold, currently $150,000 (subject to inflation adjustments).

Recent announcement & timing (as of September 2025)

• On September 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final regulations implementing the catch-up contribution rules under SECURE 2.0, including the Roth-only requirement for eligible high-wage earners.

What changes for affected retirement-plan participants

• If you are 50 or older and eligible for catch-up contributions, and your prior-year wages exceeded the threshold (e.g., $150,000), then catch-up contributions in 2026 (or beyond) must go into a Roth account rather than a traditional pre-tax account.

• Employees making less than the threshold who wish to switch from deferring on a pre-tax basis to deferring on Roth basis, must make change on Transamerica Website.

Why the change — and what it means

• The shift is intended by lawmakers (via SECURE 2.0) to increase the share of retirement savings that are taxed upfront (Roth) rather than deferred — which can increase taxable revenue over time.

• For savers: this means paying tax now on your catch-up contributions — but qualified withdrawals in retirement (both contributions + earnings) will be tax-free under Roth rules (assuming the standard Roth-withdrawal rules are met).

Employees are encouraged to review their retirement strategy and consult a financial or tax advisor if they have questions about how this change may affect them.

OLLU Says Yes to Fiesta Flambeau!

Our Lady of the Lake University is excited to share that the OLLU community has spoken—and the response was overwhelmingly clear. Following a recent community poll, faculty, staff, students, and alumni voiced strong support for OLLU to participate in the 2026 Fiesta Flambeau Parade.

Before taking part in this iconic San Antonio tradition, OLLU will proudly come together as a university community to participate in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March. This meaningful event reflects our shared commitment to justice, service, and living out the mission and values that guide our work every day.

We look forward to honoring both opportunities—first by standing in solidarity at the MLK March, and later by celebrating OLLU’s spirit, pride, and presence in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade. More details on both events, including ways to get involved, will be shared in the coming months.

Grubhub Is Now Live on Campus

Ordering food on campus just got even easier. Grubhub is now officially available at Our Lady of the Lake University, giving students, faculty, and staff a convenient new way to order food from campus dining locations—and select nearby restaurants—directly through the Grubhub app.

With Grubhub now live, users can place orders ahead of time, skip the wait, and enjoy added flexibility during busy class days and work schedules. The launch is part of OLLU’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the campus experience through greater convenience and accessibility.

To get started, download the Grubhub app, sign in with your OLLU email, and explore available dining options today.

Download app

OLLU Spirit Teams Advance to Prestigious 2026 NCA/NDA Nationals

The confirmation letter of the 2026 NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance National Championship arrived as a professional acknowledgment of the Our Lady of the Lake University spirit program’s continued excellence. Sent by Lizzy Howard, it recognized the teams successes and offered ongoing support through the upcoming preparation period.

For OLLU, this confirmation aligns with the rich history of its spirit program which is a tradition built on discipline, competitive achievement, and a commitment to representing the university with pride. Under the leadership of Head Coach Crystal Brock and supported by Assistant Coaches Joe Gonzalez, Sean Flores, and Nicholas Aguon, along with Graduate Assistants Madicela Perez and Ember Sandoval, the program has maintained a standard of professionalism and growth year after year.

Among the athletes contributing to this legacy is fourth-year dancer Yasmine Escobar, whose experience and leadership have become valuable assets to the team. Her dedication reflects the broader culture of commitment that has long defined OLLU’s cheer, dance, and spirit teams.

With their place at the 2026 national championship officially secured, the program now moves forward with focused preparation, intent on carrying its history of excellence and strong leadership into the national championships in Daytona Beach.

Holzem Helps Lead Key Cross-Conference Effort to Advance SWL Roles

The Red River Athletic Conference and the Sooner Athletic Conference are moving forward with a collaborative effort designed to expand leadership opportunities and strengthen support for Senior Woman Leaders across both leagues. This joint initiative signifies a unified commitment to elevating women in collegiate athletics administration and creating a more connected, empowered network of leaders within member institutions.

Central to this collaboration is the formation of a cross-conference leadership team composed of three highly accomplished administrators. Their combined expertise, dedication, and vision will guide the development of a shared structure that enhances communication, professional growth, and visibility for women serving in SWL roles. Among them, Haley Holzem stands out as a driving force behind the effort. As Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Title IX Deputy, and Senior Woman Leader at Our Lady of the Lake University, she has spent seven years contributing to the advancement of her institution and the Red River Athletic Conference. As the current SWL Chair for the RRAC, her leadership is instrumental in shaping the direction and cohesion of this new initiative.

Working alongside her is Shannon Glendening, Athletics Office Administrator and Senior Woman Leader at Central Christian College of Kansas. Beginning her role in August 2025 and serving as the SWL Chair for the Sooner Athletic Conference, she brings a collaborative mindset and a strong interest in building meaningful cross-conference relationships. Her perspective is essential as the two conferences work to develop shared opportunities and strengthen community among SWLs.

Also serving on the leadership team is Fachaitte Kinslow, Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Senior Woman Leader at Texas A&M University–Texarkana. Having joined TAMUT in May after four and a half years at Langston University as Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance and SWL, she offers deep experience in cultivating leadership pathways for women in sports administration. Her role as the inaugural Chair of the SWLA Leadership Association further connects this collaborative effort to broader national conversations about elevating women in athletics leadership.

Together, Haley Holzem, Shannon Glendening, and Fachaitte Kinslow will guide the joint initiative between the Red River Athletic Conference and the Sooner Athletic Conference with a unified vision centered on opportunity, visibility, and support. Their combined leadership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the Senior Woman Leader designation and ensuring that women across both conferences have access to the resources and community they need to thrive.

This collaboration marks an important step forward for both conferences and for the SWLs who serve within them. As the initiative develops, it promises to enhance communication, deepen connections, and expand leadership development opportunities for women throughout the two leagues. John Martin encourages all Senior Woman Leaders to engage with this effort and to reach out with questions as the collaboration continues to grow.

OLLU Secures Seven-Point Win Behind Gonzalez’s Hot Shooting

Watch video


The Our Lady of the Lake University men’s basketball team earned a strong 88–81 victory over Jarvis Christian University, closing out a competitive matchup with poise and timely shooting. The Saints maintained steady control throughout the game, responding to each push from Jarvis Christian with disciplined play on both ends of the court.

Matthew Gonzalez led OLLU with an impressive performance, knocking down four three-pointers on his way to a team-high 18 points. Kenyon Elliott added 14 points, contributing key baskets that helped the Saints keep momentum in their favor. Isaiah Moore finished with 11 points, providing consistent support in the scoring column and helping secure the win down the stretch.

The Saints will return to action on Saturday when they travel to face Texas College at 3:00 PM CDT.

Remaking Education Through Hip Hop: A Hands-On Workshop for Future Educators

This dynamic workshop introduces the OLLU community to a groundbreaking “True” Hip Hop Education model—developed through doctoral research and brought to life in a San Antonio 9th-grade classroom. Rooted in Hip Hop culture’s origins as a tool for survival, innovation, and creative expression, this model offers a youth-centered alternative to traditional schooling and societal norms. It transforms young lives through teaching and learning that prioritize engagement, empowerment, and equity

Participants will experience this pedagogy in action—honoring culture and collective liberation in alignment with OLLU’s mission to transform society through education grounded in justice and dignity. In this hands-on session, seasoned and aspiring educators will do Hip Hop, exploring the self-determined naming practices of StyleWriting, Hip Hop’s core visual art form. This immersive approach demonstrates how to engage and empower youth through creativity, belonging, and confidence.

Designed for OLLU’s future educators, social workers, and community leaders, the workshop highlights how innovative, locally rooted pedagogy can help San Antonio’s youth shape futures full of possibility. For an institution committed to service, culture, and transformation, this event showcases how Hip Hop education fuels excellence, empathy, and equality.

About the Presenter:
G. Beatriz Rodríguez, JD, PhD, is a San Antonio–raised educator, scholar, and Hip Hop practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience in public schools and community spaces nationwide. Her doctoral research developed the “True” Hip Hop Education model, later implemented in her 9th-grade Geography classroom with powerful results. She co-founded Universal Style School in 2014 and continues to lead efforts to advance Hip Hop pedagogy as a justice-centered approach to teaching and learning. Her bold aerosol artworks uplifting community can be seen across San Antonio.

Event Details:
IFCC Winter Educator’s Workshop:
Remaking Education Now – A True Teacher’s Guide to Hip Hop Pedagogy & Classroom Practice
📅 Thursday, January 8, 2026
🕕 6 PM – 9 PM
📍 MARC Ballroom
💲 Free Admission

Resgister Here

Cyber Saints Excel in Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Capture the Flag (CTF) Cybersecurity Competition

The Computer Information Systems and Security (CISS) Cyber Saints Student Organization recently put their skills to the test in a high-energy Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition—an experience designed to replicate the intensity, urgency, and problem-solving demands of real-world cyber defense and ethical hacking.

CTF competitions are a cornerstone of cybersecurity education, blending learning with competition. In these fast-paced, game-based challenges, teams race against the clock to uncover hidden strings of text known as “flags.” Each captured flag signifies the successful completion of a security task, earning points and propelling teams up the leaderboard.

Working collaboratively under pressure, the Cyber Saints tackled complex challenges, shared insights, and executed strategic solutions—demonstrating the teamwork and adaptability essential to today’s cyber professionals.

CISS faculty advisor and Assistant Professor Kelly “RC” Roberts-Cooper applauded the students’ commitment and collaboration, emphasizing the value of hands-on learning experiences. “Competitions like CTFs allow students to practice real-world offensive and defensive cyber skills in a controlled, ethical environment,” Roberts-Cooper said.

For the Cyber Saints, the competition was more than a technical challenge—it was an opportunity to build camaraderie, sharpen their expertise, and spark excitement for future events. Their participation reflects the organization’s dedication to experiential learning and to preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.

As digital threats continue to evolve, experiences like these ensure students are doing more than studying cybersecurity—they are actively preparing to defend the digital world with confidence and skill.

From left to right: President, Alexandria Heaton; Student government Rep. Cesar Reyes; Vice President Jennifer Vaquera-Luna; Treasurer Luis Vela; Jaylen Williams

New Cafeteria Mural Celebrates Student Art

The Mexican American Visual Arts class with Professor Gonzalez has completed their newest mural, located in the Cafeteria.

Artists include:

  • Leilani Barajas
  • Steven Engbrecht
  • Celeste Flores
  • Kitsia Flores
  • Jacqueline Gloria
  • Jack Kalisky
  • Kyle Kemp
  • Dani Palacios
  • Annabelle Prindle
  • Santos Rivera Valles
  • Sophie Robles
  • Troy Stinson
  • Sandra Vidal
  • Dominique Zapata

Be sure to check it out!