Attention OLLU Students! Counseling & Wellness Services will host the first Dental Day of the year on Friday, February 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the University Wellness and Activities Center. Students can receive a free teeth cleaning with no out-of-pocket cost for those insured through Wellfleet Student Insurance.
Students should check their @ollusa.edu email for a survey link from counselingandwellness@ollusa.edu to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required, and space is limited.
If you have questions or need to join the waitlist, don’t hesitate to contact Counseling & Wellness Services at counselingandwellness@ollusa.edu.
Credit Human is now accepting applications for its 2026 Scholarship Program. This scholarship opportunity supports undergraduate and returning students who are continuing their educational journey and investing in their future.
Eligible applicants must be Credit Human members—or the child, grandchild, or spouse of a member in good standing for at least one year—hold a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, and plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the upcoming academic year. Students graduating in December 2026 may qualify for half of the scholarship award. High school seniors and students enrolled in trade, technical, or vocational programs are not eligible.
Applicants must submit a complete official transcript as part of the application process. All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of April, and selected recipients must complete additional steps to accept the award and verify enrollment.
In addition to the scholarship program, Credit Human partners with Our Lady of the Lake University to offer free, on-campus financial wellness workshops. These sessions help students build practical skills around budgeting, credit, and long-term financial planning, supporting students as they work toward a stronger financial future.
Visual & New Media Arts is proud to present Resiliencia, a group exhibition by the Barrio Art & Popular Culture class commemorating Segundo de Febrero.
Students enrolled in Barrio Art & Popular Culture were tasked with creating a 2-D work of art that answers the question, “What does resilience look like?”
They studied the history of Segundo de Febrero events and read pamphlets from the OLLU archives from early organizing efforts in the 1980s. They found the original intentions behind the commemoration of Segundo de Febrero to still be relevant today.
While creating their projects, students considered themes of resilience in the face of adversity, the birth of the Chicano, La Candelaria, Indigenous Blessings of the Seeds, and living in the Borderlands.
Each student approached their work in a distinct manner, and incorporated materials that would best get their point across.
This semester, Barrio Art & Popular Culture is working with the Service-Learning Department to help restore the historic mural, The Treaty, at Cassiano Homes with the original artists that painted it in 1980, Anastacio (Tachi) Torres and Juan Hernandez. They are looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with our Westside community and getting hands-on experience with mural painting.
We invite you to the opening on Wednesday, February 4th at 5pm in the Sueltenfuss Library Community Room. For more information, please contact Professor Gonzalez at sbgonzalez@ollusa.edu.
Welcome back Saints, Spring 2026 is officially underway! If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to jump in and secure your schedule. Whether you’re finalizing your plans or making last-minute adjustments, registering now can help you:
Avoid full courses
Stay on track for graduation
Secure the schedule you want
Log in and register today – don’t wait until it’s too late!
The Computer Information Systems and Security department is celebrating a major academic milestone as 13 students successfully passed the EC-Council Network Defense (NDE) certification exam, achieving an impressive 86.7% pass rate. This industry-recognized credential—valid for three years—demonstrates each student’s mastery of essential defensive cybersecurity skills.
The EC-Council NDE focuses on practical, real-world abilities in areas such as network hardening, secure infrastructure design, incident response, vulnerability mitigation, and foundational threat analysis. Earning this certification signals that students are well-prepared to work in security operations environments, support enterprise defense strategies, and contribute to organizational cyber resilience from day one.
“This accomplishment reflects the hard work, discipline, and growing talent of our students,” said Assistant Professor Kelly “RC” Roberts-Cooper. “Certifications like the EC-Council Network Defense credential give our graduates a competitive edge in the cybersecurity workforce.”
With cybersecurity professionals in high demand nationwide, certifications such as this play a vital role in helping students transition into meaningful careers. The newly certified student now carry valuable proof of their abilities—an asset they will take with them into internships, job interviews, and future advanced studies.
The CISS and Security department congratulates all 13 students on their outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing their continued success in the cybersecurity field.
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
Our Lady of the Lake University proudly celebrates alumna Byanka Ramos, LCSW (BSW ’18), whose passion for advocacy, healing, and representation is making a meaningful impact in the field of social work.
Byanka Ramos, LCSW (BSW ’18)
Byanka began her journey at OLLU, earning her Bachelor of Social Work in 2018. She credits her time on our campus—and the faculty who guided her—for shaping both her professional path and personal mission. One mentor in particular, former OLLU professor Cynthia Medina, played a transformative role. In her newly published book chapter, Byanka honors Professor Medina as “a catalyst” who inspired her to believe in her voice, her potential, and the power of culturally rooted social work.
After completing her BSW, Byanka continued her education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, earning a Master of Social Work degree. She has since achieved her clinical social work license, expanding her ability to serve individuals, families, and communities through therapeutic practice.
This year, Byanka reached an exciting new milestone: the publication of her chapter in Latinx/e in Social Work, Volume 3, a recognized anthology highlighting the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Latinx professionals in the field. Her contribution uplifts the lived experiences of Latinx communities while inspiring the next generation of social workers to share their stories without fear or hesitation.
By using her platform to amplify underrepresented voices—and by honoring those who mentored her along the way—Byanka exemplifies the OLLU spirit of service, leadership, and community commitment.
Congratulations, Byanka! You continue to make OLLU proud.
Get ready to travel the world — without ever leaving campus! 🌎✨
Join us as we celebrate International Education Week with two fun-filled events that showcase the incredible diversity, culture, and global spirit of our Saints community.
🎊 INTERNATIONAL FAIR 2025 📅 Wednesday, November 12 🕛 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. 📍 Mall Area Discover vibrant displays, traditional music, and cultural presentations from OLLU’s international students representing countries across the globe. Come explore, learn, and celebrate our shared world!
⚽ INTERNATIONAL SOCCER MATCH 📅 Thursday, November 13 🕓 4:00 p.m. 📍 OLLU Soccer Field Cheer on your favorite team as international students take the field for a friendly match — a global showdown of skill, sportsmanship, and Saints pride!
Let’s come together as one global OLLU family to honor our diversity, learn from one another, and celebrate what makes our community truly international.
In celebration of Cyber Awareness Month, the Cyber Saints Organization kicked off its annual programming with the first of two events — a “Tech Dump” held on October 23 at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU).
The event offered a smart, safe, and secure way for members of the OLLU community to dispose of outdated or unwanted technology devices responsibly. The initiative aimed to promote digital sustainability and cybersecurity awareness by reducing risks associated with improper disposal of electronics.
As part of the day’s activities, attendees were also invited to take trial spins of the upcoming Premier Tech Takeover experience — scheduled for November 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., in the Sueltenfuss Library Community Room. The Tech Takeover will feature VR Boxing, VR Golf , Painting, and mocktails. Free photo both and music.
Below are photos highlighting some of the top virtual boxers who tested the demo during the Tech Dump event, offering a glimpse into the engaging experiences ahead.
For more information, please refer to the event flyers or contact the Cyber Saints Organization.
