Category: Student News

The OLLU School of Business and Leadership is proud to announce that Christina Delgado, a Finance major and member of OLLU’s Delta Lambda Chapter of Delta Mu Delta, has received the prestigious Past Presidents’ Award from the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business.

The national award recognizes Delgado’s academic achievement, leadership and promise as an emerging business professional. Delta Mu Delta named Delgado among its 2026 scholarship award recipients, and the Past Presidents’ Award includes a $2,000 scholarship.

National Recognition

Delta Mu Delta is an international business honor society that recognizes high-achieving students in business programs. At OLLU, induction into the society recognizes students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, integrity and dedication to advancing the business profession.

Recipients of Delta Mu Delta scholarship awards are evaluated on scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and character or ethical behavior. Delgado’s selection for the Past Presidents’ Award reflects her exceptional work as a Finance student and the leadership potential she brings to the field of business.

Celebrating Excellence

As a member of the Delta Lambda Chapter, Delgado represents the academic distinction and professional commitment fostered by OLLU’s School of Business and Leadership.

Please join the School of Business and Leadership in congratulating Christina on this well-deserved national honor.

Two OLLU Ronald E. McNair Scholars have reached an important milestone in their academic journeys: Princess Pompa and Gabriela Guadarrama, members of the 2025 Summer Research Institute cohort, have had their undergraduate research accepted for publication in the 2026 McNair National Research Journal.

The peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal highlights faculty-supervised scholarship by current McNair Scholars and recent program alumni from across the country.

Research With Impact

As McNair Scholars, Pompa and Guadarrama conducted faculty-mentored research connected to their academic and professional interests. After presenting their projects during the 2025 Summer Research Institute, both scholars continued refining their manuscripts, responding to feedback and completing revisions throughout the publication process.

Their work was accepted for publication on Sept. 7, 2026, demonstrating the persistence and scholarly engagement that extend well beyond the summer research experience.

Princess Pompa, a Spring 2026 graduate, completed her research under the mentorship of Leda Barnett, Ph.D., of OLLU’s Department of Political Science. Her study examined democratic erosion in the United States between 2010 and 2024 through a national-level democratic stress test.

Pompa evaluated six indicators of democratic stability: Rule of Law, Electoral Process, Media Freedom, Internet Freedom, Fragmented Elites and Forbearance. Her findings identified gradual declines across several measures while also pointing to areas that suggest the potential for democratic resilience and recovery.

Exploring Belonging in Teaching

Gabriela Guadarrama, who anticipates graduating in Spring 2028, is pursuing an Interdisciplinary Studies degree with EC–6 Bilingual and ESL certification. Under the mentorship of Cindy Peña, Ph.D., of the Department of English at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México–San Antonio, Guadarrama conducted the study, “The Role of BESO in Fostering Identity and Persistence Among Bilingual Pre-Service Teachers.”

Her research explored the experiences of Latina pre-service bilingual educators and examined how the Bilingual Education Student Organization, or BESO, can promote identity, belonging and persistence within teacher-preparation programs.

Celebrating Scholarship

This accomplishment reflects the power of undergraduate research, sustained mentorship and student determination at OLLU. The McNair Scholars Program prepares eligible students for graduate study and doctoral education, while supporting research experiences that help scholars contribute to larger academic conversations.

The McNair Scholars Program congratulates Pompa and Guadarrama on becoming published researchers and recognizes Dr. Barnett and Dr. Peña for their guidance and support throughout the scholars’ research journeys.

OLLU students can turn Spring Break 2027 into an international learning experience through a study abroad opportunity that combines global business and cybersecurity insight with the culture, history and energy of Germany and France.

Learn Beyond the Classroom

The Germany & France Study Abroad trip will take place March 3–12, 2027, bringing students to Alsace, Frankfurt and Heidelberg. Designed for students interested in business management, cybersecurity and the global forces shaping today’s workplaces, the experience will connect academic learning with firsthand exposure to European culture and industry.

The program offers an opportunity to see how business and technology operate in an international context while developing cultural awareness, professional confidence and a broader perspective on the challenges and opportunities organizations face across borders.

What Students Will Experience

The 10-day program will include:

• Cultural experiences in Germany and France
• Industry visits that connect classroom concepts with professional practice
• Academic enrichment focused on business management and cybersecurity
• Opportunities to build global awareness and professional networks
• Travel through Alsace, Frankfurt and Heidelberg

Study abroad experiences can help students connect their OLLU education to a wider world, offering a chance to learn from new environments, engage with different perspectives, and explore future academic and career possibilities. OLLU has previously offered international study tours through its Business Programs Department that combine coursework with cultural and industry-focused travel experiences.

Apply and Learn More

The total cost for the Spring Break 2027 program is $4,500. Applications are now open, and interested students may attend an information session to learn more about the itinerary, expectations and how to reserve a place.

Space is limited. Students who would like to participate should contact Professor “RC” Roberts-Cooper in Main Building, Room 302A, to sign up for an information session and reserve their spot.

Our Lady of the Lake University student Emilio Gutierrez, a McNair and TexasFAST Scholar, has been selected as one of 23 fellows for UP Partnership’s Leaders of Tomorrow, a nine-month leadership fellowship focused on advocacy, public policy and civic leadership in San Antonio and Bexar County.

UP Partnership works to ensure that young people throughout Bexar County are prepared for the future by coordinating data, aligning educational and career pathways, and promoting policy changes that help young people and communities reach their full potential.

Through the fellowship, Gutierrez will gain hands-on experience while learning how community voices can help shape decisions and policies. His interest in advocacy is rooted in a desire to make sure individuals from different backgrounds and experiences have a meaningful role in conversations that affect their communities.

“All voices deserve to have a say in the decision of what is to be done,” Gutierrez said. “That is why I aim to serve my community with integrity, to restore trust in leaders and academics.”

Gutierrez hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology and eventually become a university professor. He also sees community advocacy as an important part of his future, using his education and experiences to elevate voices that may otherwise go unheard.

His participation in the UP Leaders of Tomorrow fellowship will provide an opportunity to develop the skills, relationships and experience needed to turn that commitment into meaningful community impact.

This summer, Environmental Science & Sustainability student Jaylem Covarrubias expanded his academic experience through an exciting opportunity with Rutgers University’s Animal Sciences Discovery Program, as part of the TExAS FAST Scholars Program.

The three-week residency in New York brought together two USDA-NIFA Next Gen programs to provide students with an immersive, hands-on learning experience. During the program, Jaylem worked directly with livestock on a teaching farm, participated in veterinary anatomy and physiology labs, and developed practical skills in microtechniques.

Beyond the laboratory and farm, Jaylem worked alongside peer and professional mentors to strengthen his career-readiness skills and explore potential career paths. The experience provided a broader perspective on the connections between animal science, agriculture and sustainability—areas that complement his studies at OLLU.

Hear From Jaylem

Want to hear about the experience directly from Jaylem? Watch his video to learn more about his summer journey:

For more stories highlighting the experiences and accomplishments of OLLU students, visit the OLLU Math and Science Department YouTube channel:

Congratulations, Jaylem, on making the most of this outstanding learning opportunity!

Welcome to the Saints community—and now there’s a little extra incentive to get connected!

First-time Grubhub users can receive 50% off their first on-campus pickup order with code FIRSTBITE50, with maximum savings of $7. Terms apply.

It’s an easy way for new users to give Grubhub a try, grab a bite on campus and discover a convenient option for ordering food.

Keep an eye out for free GRUBHUB merch coming soon!

New account. First bite. 50% off.