Category: Employee News

Faculty Publish Research Advancing Science Communication and Student Learning

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

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Campus Q – An Appreciation Event June 30th

HAPPENING TODAY!!

The President’s Cabinet invites all faculty and staff to join us for Campus-Q, a special Bar-B-Q celebrating another successful academic year and recognizing the dedication, service, and contributions of our employees.

Date: Tuesday, June 30
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Mall Area

This gathering is an opportunity to celebrate another successful academic year, connect with colleagues, and recognize the impact of our collective work in support of OLLU’s mission and students. As a special thank you, members of the President’s Cabinet will be serving lunch.

Wear your favorite OLLU swag and show your Saints spirit as we enjoy great food, lawn games, fellowship, and a few fun surprises along the way.

Departments may determine their own office coverage and out-of-office arrangements during the event to support participation while maintaining essential services. We hope you will participate and enjoy this exciting event.

Please RSVP using the link below so we can plan accordingly.

Thank you for all you do to make OLLU a place of transformation, opportunity, and service. We look forward to celebrating with you!

CPS Energy Demand Response Notice: Energy-Saving Actions Needed Across Campus

OLLU is currently under a Demand Response request from CPS Energy. Please walk through your areas and ensure lights are off in unoccupied spaces, window air conditioners are set 4 degrees higher or turned to LOW/off in empty rooms, and all space heaters, coffee pots, and other unused appliances are turned off or unplugged. Response leads should complete their assigned actions immediately.

Thank you for your commitment to OLLU’s energy efficiency efforts.

Annual Performance Evaluations Now Open for OLLU Staff

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.

Adelante 2026 Begins May 20: Learn, Connect, and Grow Together

Dear OLLU Community,

The Adelante Professional Development Conference is set to begin May 20–21, bringing together our community for two days of learning, connection, and growth.

Hosted by Staff Assembly with support from the President’s Cabinet, this year’s conference features dynamic speakers from across the OLLU community, along with a special guest speaker who will lead an engaging keynote and masterclass on Emotional Intelligence.

Participants can look forward to a wide range of sessions, including topics such as data-driven decision making, workflow automation, well-being, cybersecurity, and more. The conference will also include a leadership panel and conclude with a wine and cheese reception.

📅 Wednesday, May 20 & Thursday, May 21, 2026
📍 San Antonio Campus (with hybrid options for Houston and RGV)
Adelante SharePoint Site- most up to date information

Employees are encouraged to attend in person for meaningful engagement, with hybrid access available for all sessions.

We look forward to learning and growing together—Adelante!

OLLU Helps Lead the Way in Inaugural Network Improvement Community

Our Lady of the Lake University is proud to announce its participation in the very first cohort of the Network Improvement Community (NIC). On April 27–28, five OLLU representatives traveled to Austin to join peer institutions in a collaborative effort to shape the future of Texas higher education.
   
Working alongside leaders from UTSA, St. Edward’s, St. Mary’s, TAMIU, TAMUCC, and TAMUK, the OLLU team engaged in data-driven strategy sessions aimed at fostering more inclusive and effective learning environments. This initiative is supported by the Hector and Gloria López Foundation in partnership with the Texas Higher Education Foundation.
   

Our OLLU Representatives:
   
   Dr. Beatriz Barkholtz, López Scholars Director
   
   Gianno Gomez, Data Visualization and Research Analyst
   
   Newman Wong, Director of Institutional Research & Analytics
   
   Sabrina Zertuche, Retention Specialist
   
   Dr. Stacy Ybarra Evans, Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence
   
By joining this inaugural cohort, OLLU reinforces our mission to provide an education built on faith and wisdom, ensuring our graduates are prepared to lead and transform their communities.

📌 Friendly Reminder: Fiscal Year-End Procedures

 As we approach the end of fiscal year 2026, please keep the following important deadlines in mind:
   • Goods & Services: Must be received by May 29, 2026, to be recorded in FY26.
   • Invoices: Accounts Payable will process FY26 invoices through June 30, 2026. Invoices received after this date will be recorded in FY27.
   • Credit Card Purchases: Any charges made after the May 2026 statement cutoff will be processed in FY27.
   • Credit Card Settlements: Submit all outstanding FY26 credit card expense reports with supporting documentation by June 19, 2026.
   • Employee Reimbursements: All FY26 reimbursements must be submitted by June 30, 2026.
   
   Thank you for your attention to these deadlines, which are essential to a smooth fiscal year-end close.

Changes to Requests for Event Set Ups

To ensure timely and accurate event preparations, please follow the process outlined below when submitting setup requests.

All event setup requests must be submitted through EMS at the time you make your room reservation.  These requests will be routed to Grace Rios, Director of Campus & Community Engagement gerios@ollusa.edu, and she will ensure that Housekeeping has the request in their queue.

If your event requires a special setup, diagram, or layout, it must be submitted to Grace at least one (1) week in advance.

  • Set up requests for tables, chairs, linens, podium, trash cans must be submitted through EMS when completing your room reservation.
  • Set up requests for canopies, bar-b-que pits, and outside electrical equipment must be submitted through SysAid (Facilities Workorder)  
  • Requests for IT or audiovisual (AV ) services must be submitted through SysAid (Media Services Request)
  • Please note that the portable stage is no longer available for use.

All linen requests need to be made through EMS at the time of reservation. We are no longer utilizing the Linen Request Form that was on Saints Connect.

Thank you for your patience as we fine tune our processes.

If you have any questions, you can email Grace Rios at gerios@ollusa.edu

Staff Achievement: NASPA New Professionals Institute Acceptance

Jeni Brett, Coordinator for Student Programming in the Center for Student Involvement, has been selected to participate in the 2026 NASPA New Professionals Institute (NPI), a premier professional development experience co-sponsored by NASPA Region III and the Southern Association for College Student Affairs.

NPI is an intensive, week-long institute focused on leadership development, mentorship, and professional growth. Participants engage in interactive learning, small group mentorship, and collaborative dialogue designed to strengthen their effectiveness in the field. The experience also emphasizes meaningful networking, allowing participants to build lasting professional connections with peers and mentors across the region.

Jeni will attend the Institute in June 2026 in Arlington, Texas, joining a cohort of professionals committed to advancing student success in higher education. Through this experience, she will bring back new strategies, insights, and connections to further support student engagement, leadership development, and belonging at OLLU.