Employee News – Lake Weekly

Celebrating Literary Excellence: Dr. Octavio Quintanilla Earns Top State Honor and National Recognition

We’re proud to share outstanding news about our Texas State Poet Laureate, Octavio Quintanilla. He has been awarded the prestigious Burdine C. Johnson Award for Best Book of Poetry from the Texas Institute of Letters for his powerful collection Las Horas Imposibles / The Impossible Hours. This distinguished honor is among the highest literary recognitions in Texas and reflects exceptional achievement in both creative and scholarly work.

Octavio Quintanilla, PhD, Professor of English

Adding to this remarkable accomplishment, Dr. Quintanilla has also been named a finalist for the 2026 Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry Award—one of the most prestigious poetry awards in the United States. This national spotlight elevates not only his work but also the visibility and reputation of our institution.

These accolades present a compelling opportunity to highlight faculty excellence across media, alumni engagement, and admissions storytelling. Dr. Quintanilla’s success exemplifies the impact of our academic community and reinforces our commitment to creativity, leadership, and cultural contribution.

Congratulations, Dr. Quintanilla, on this extraordinary achievement!

Denim Drive for Denim Day

The OLLU SAAM Collective at Our Lady of the Lake University is preparing for Denim Day on April 29, 2026, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Denim Day is a national campaign that raises awareness about sexual violence and supports survivors through education and community solidarity.

We are asking faculty and staff to donate denim items (jeans, jackets, or other denim clothing) in any condition to support our campus Denim Day activities. Donated items will be used for awareness displays and student engagement events.

Your support will help amplify a message of respect, dignity, and shared responsibility in preventing sexual violence.

Donations will be accepted from March 18–April 27, 2026, at Counseling & Wellness Services (Walter 206), the Center for Student Involvement (Main 123), and Elliott House.

OLLU SAAM Collective
Title IX Office | Center for Student Involvement | Counseling & Wellness Services
Mission and Ministry | Criminal Justice Society | Confidential Student Advocate

Blue_Denim_Day_Donation_Flyer_2026 Download

APA President Dr. Wendi Williams to Speak at Our Lady of the Lake University on Leadership, Equity, and the Future of Psychology

Wendi Williams, President of the American Psychological Association, will visit Our Lady of the Lake University for a special campus conversation with students, psychologists, and community members.

Join us for an engaging discussion on the intersection of psychology, leadership, and equity. A nationally recognized psychologist, scholar, and educator, Dr. Williams brings more than two decades of experience exploring leadership, culturally responsive psychological practice, and the inner lives of Black women and girls. Her work integrates liberation psychology and intersectional feminist frameworks to advance transformative leadership and organizational change.

Dr. Williams currently serves as President of the American Psychological Association and has held academic leadership roles at institutions including Fielding Graduate University, Bank Street College of Education, and Mills College School of Education. She is also the editor of several influential books, including Black Women at Work: On Refusal and Recovery.

This event offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the leading voices in psychology today and engage in dialogue about leadership, scholarship, and equity-centered practice.

Event Details

Speaker: Wendi Williams, President, American Psychological Association
Host: Our Lady of the Lake University
Date: Tuesday, April 7
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Main Building, Room 311
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be provided.

Students, faculty, psychologists, and community members across the region are warmly invited to attend this special conversation. Come be part of an inspiring dialogue on the future of psychology, leadership, and equity-centered change.

RSVP information coming soon.

A Conversation with APA President Dr-2 Download

Survey Results: A Quick Check-In

By Teresa Niño (VP for Marketing, Communications, and Engagement)

Earlier this month, in the March 3^rd issue of Lake Weekly, President Chávez shared a vision of what Our Lady of the Lake can be. An attainable vision. He also provided a link to a survey that asked seven questions. That same survey was also presented to Cabinet and the Board of Trustees.

Below are the results of the combined surveys. As you read through them, ask yourself, “what do these results mean?” “What do the results say as to where we are today and where we want to be?” and “what will be my role?”

In the next few weeks, whether in a State of the Lake Forum, a Leadership Team meeting, a Faculty and/or Staff leadership meeting, or an email from me, we will learn the answers to these questions together and continue to carve out our path. In the next few weeks, you’ll hear phrases such as “change management,” “models for small, private, catholic universities,” and a lot of “Focus and Differentiation” as well as “Focused Differentiation.” Don’t be alarmed. We will stay in touch and would love to hear from you. This process requires active engagement.

At your end, please attend those meetings or get notes from someone that attended; read Lake Weekly stories that address the status and/or progress that’s being made. Stay tuned in.

Here are the top three responses we heard from the combined surveys:

In your view, which primary student populations should OLLU intentionally prioritize over the next 5–7 years? Please rank the following options from highest strategic
- 39% First-generation Hispanic undergraduates from South Texas
- 21% A combination of multiple segments
- 19% Catholic Hispanic students seeking faith-integrated education.
Follow-up to Question 1: If there is a student population not reflected above that you believe should be prioritized, please describe. [This open-ended question prompted numerous varied responses. Below are the ‘top’ responses – those that were mentioned more than twice but less than five times.
- Catholic, service-oriented students
- Working professionals
- Veterans/Military
Should OLLU intentionally narrow its recruitment geography?
- 39% Yes – Texas Statewide
- 26% No – Maintain broad geographic reach
- 23% Yes – Primarily South Texas
Should OLLU deliberately deprioritize certain student segments to strengthen focus?
- 48% Yes – Trade-offs are necessary
- 45% Maybe – With data review
- 6% No – We should remain broad
Which attributes could realistically differentiate OLLU in a meaningful and defensible way? (Select up to three)
- 17% Strong career pipelines in select industries
- 17% Accelerated pathways (3-year degrees, flexible scheduling)
- 11% Personalized, high-touch advising model
- 11% Small-class, faculty-mentored environment
Which of the following do you believe is most critical to long-term sustainability?
- 31% Target market clarity
- 27% Operational excellence and cost discipline
- 23% Academic program specialization
Are we currently disciplined enough to execute a focused strategy?
- 58% Not Yet
- 24% Uncertain
- 18% Yes

We hope to see you at tomorrow’s State of the Lake Forum where Interim Head of Enrollment Shirley Caldera will share data on our enrollment trends and our rate of persistence. Why is this important? Because as we proceed to carve out our vision, it is important to know what the market demands. In this case, our market is our students. They vote with their feet and their tuition dollars. What classes, programs and/or degrees are they pursuing? What is it about them or about us that could differentiates us?

Looking forward to it and BYOM … Bring your open mind!

Uber’s Arrival Linked to 10% Boost in Texas Alcohol Sales and 5% Drop in San Antonio Drunk Driving Arrests, Study Finds

A new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing finds that the introduction of Uber in Texas markets increased on-premise alcohol sales across the state by 10.1% while reducing daily drunk-driving arrests in Bexar County by about 5%.

The research, conducted by Samantha Galvan, Yongseok Kim, and Richard T. Gretz, suggests that ridesharing services can simultaneously support economic activity in the hospitality sector and improve public safety outcomes. Using statewide alcohol sales data and arrest records from San Antonio, the study highlights how expanded transportation options may reduce impaired driving while enabling safer participation in nightlife and dining economies.

Complete article here

Celebrating Faculty Promotions and Tenure for Upcoming Academic Year

Our Lady of the Lake University is proud to recognize several faculty members who have earned promotions and tenure for the upcoming academic year. These achievements reflect their dedication to teaching excellence, scholarship, and service to the OLLU community.

The following faculty members have received promotions:

Adam Bynum, MS
Biology – Promotion to Assistant Professor
Brittany Chozinski, PhD
Applied Social & Cultural Sciences – Promotion to Professor
Kimberly Gallegos, PhD
Social Work – Promotion to Professor
Jessica Hajek, PhD
Humanities & Social Sciences – Promotion to Associate Professor
Codruta Haselmayer, PhD
Psychology – Promotion to Associate Professor and Tenure
Naomi Hernandez, MA
Communication Sciences and Disorders – Promotion to Clinical Professor
Christopher Rose, PhD
History – Promotion to Associate Professor

The university congratulates each of them on this important milestone and thanks them for their continued contributions to the OLLU community.

OLLU Celebrates National Employee Appreciation Day

In celebration of National Employee Appreciation Day, the President of Our Lady of the Lake University hosted a special “Tacos with the President” gathering to recognize the incredible dedication of our faculty and staff.

During this time of fellowship and gratitude, the President shared his sincerest thanks for the hard work, passion, and commitment that each employee brings to the university community every day. OLLU’s mission and success are made possible through the talent, service, and care demonstrated by our employees, and this event served as a small token of appreciation for all they do.

Thank you to our outstanding OLLU team for your continued dedication to our students, our mission, and one another.

State of the Lake Forum

Tuesday, March 17 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Main Building, Room 311

You are invited to attend the upcoming State of the Lake Forum, an important opportunity for our campus community to come together, engage in meaningful dialogue, and hear updates about the university’s priorities, progress, and future direction.

This forum is designed to foster open communication and transparency while providing faculty, staff, and students the chance to ask questions and share perspectives. Your voice matters, and we encourage you to help shape the conversation in advance.

To ensure the discussion reflects the topics most important to our community, please complete the pre-survey and submit any questions, concerns, or comments you would like addressed during the forum. Please respond by Friday, March 13, by 11:59 p.m.

Pre-Survey: State of the Lake

Your participation in the survey will help guide the dialogue and ensure that the forum is informative, responsive, and meaningful to all attendees.

We look forward to your engagement and hope you will join us for this important conversation.

A New Year, A New Approach

On Thursday, February 26, during the community hour of 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., President Abel Chávez will present to faculty and staff the higher education landscape. A thought-provoking presentation that looks at national and local demographics, opinions on higher ed, and OLLU’s comparative standing in San Antonio.

This will be an in-person, brown bag gathering in San Antonio; Houston and RGV campuses will be provided a TEAMS link to attend virtually. Your presence is necessary in shaping a thoughtful direction. As a steward of our university, please join your colleagues for this presentation.

RSVP’s are required. The specific location on campus for San Antonio will be shared soon.

Amber Ortega, MFA, Awarded Texas Folklife Community Folklife Fellowship

Amber Ortega, MFA, Coordinator for the International Folk Culture Center has received The Texas Folklife, Community Folklife Fellowship in oral history, audio storytelling, and archiving.

Ortega joins a cohort of 12 culturalists across Texas who will receive training and guidance from Texas Folklife’s digital storytelling initiative, “Stories from Deep in the Heart” which includes mentorship from lead digital archivists in Texas.

Since 2023, Ortega has been conducting interviews with choreographers from Cayey, Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida, and San Antonio, utilizing her experience with curating transdisciplinary discussions and bridging dance practice to deeper insights into culture, human behavior, and research methodologies. During her fellowship, Ortega will be meeting and interviewing dance culture bearers in San Antonio to thread a cohesive narrative line between dance, history, and culture.

As Coordinator for the International Folk Culture Center, archiving the center’s history and preserving the greater story of dance in San Antonio particularly with how that story intersects with the IFCC and OLLU, is tantamount to the work of curating and coordinating dance, folk way, and culture at the center, on campus, and in our Westside neighborhood.

Ortega’s final work along with her cohorts will be released this May.