Category: Employee News

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.

University Summer Hours Begin May 18

Summer University Hours – Effective May 18 – August 7, 2026

Monday – Thursday – 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday – 8:30 a.m. – Noon

Summer Holidays

May 25 – Memorial Day
June 19 – Juneteenth
July 3 – Independence Day (Observed)

In accordance with the Summer Hours policy (AD-HR-PO-049), official university office hours from May 18, 2026, through Aug. 7, 2026, will be Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

All full-time employees are expected to work 40 hours each week, or in alignment with their employment agreement if they typically work fewer than 40 hours. Employees are also required to take a minimum 30-minute unpaid lunch break on full days. Department heads will provide final approval of each employee’s schedule to ensure appropriate office coverage and that university needs are met.

Some departments are exempt from the Summer Hours Policy and will remain open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer. These offices are:

  • Undergraduate Admissions Office
  • Graduate Admissions Office
  • Registrar’s Office
  • Financial Aid Office
  • Student Business Office

Summer holidays for 2026 include Memorial Day on May 25, Juneteenth on June 19, and the Independence Day observance on July 3. Faculty and staff are also asked to avoid scheduling planned leave between Monday, Aug. 10, and Wednesday, Sept. 2, unless special circumstances are approved through the appropriate division leadership.

OLLU Faculty Member Honored as Professor of the Year

Our Lady of the Lake University proudly celebrates Dr. Bernadette Hassan Solorzano, who has been named Professor of the Year by the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT).

This prestigious award recognizes a faculty member actively teaching in higher education who demonstrates excellence in preparing students for compassionate, ethical, and high-quality professional practice in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Solorzano was nominated in recognition of her outstanding mentorship, clinical supervision, and lasting impact on generations of future therapists.

Through her dedication to teaching, mentorship, and student development, Dr. Solorzano exemplifies OLLU’s mission of service, leadership, and community impact. Her work continues to shape professionals who serve families with compassion, excellence, and integrity.

Dr. Solorzano was formally recognized during the TAMFT Business Meeting and Luncheon on April 10, 2026, at the Tremont House in Galveston, Texas.

Congratulations to Dr. Solorzano on this well-deserved honor, and thank you for your continued commitment to advancing the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.

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_2026Download

Survey Results: A Quick Check-In

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

Earlier this month, in the March 3rd 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. Should OLLU intentionally narrow its recruitment geography?
    • 39%  Yes – Texas Statewide
    • 26%  No – Maintain broad geographic reach
    • 23%  Yes – Primarily South Texas
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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

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-2Download