Category: Student News

We are excited to announce that Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) has been selected to join the Google AI for Education Accelerator. This new partnership is a significant step in our commitment to providing students with the most in-demand skills and advanced tools needed for success in today’s rapidly evolving job market.

Through this accelerator, all OLLU students will gain free access to a suite of powerful resources, including:

• Google AI Courses and Google Career Certificates: These programs offer hands-on training in critical, job-ready skills across various fields.
• Advanced AI Tools: Students will receive no-cost access to cutting-edge AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM, allowing them to innovate, build, and create with the latest technology.

This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to prepare the next generation of leaders for an AI-powered economy. By collaborating with an industry leader like Google, we are ensuring our students have the resources they need to thrive and become pioneers in their chosen fields.

Ready to get started? All Our Lady of the Lake University students can sign up for free today to access these powerful tools and training.

Fourteen students at Our Lady of the Lake University were inducted this spring into Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. The honor society recognizes students who excel in the study of Spanish and actively promote Hispanic culture and language.

Dr. Maribel Lárraga, professor of Spanish and faculty advisor for Xi Upsilon, OLLU’s Sigma Delta Pi chapter, organized and led two induction ceremonies held on April 4 and April 22, 2025. These events celebrated the students’ academic achievements and cultural commitment, with many families attending in support.

Sigma Delta Pi Inductees:

These inductees are pursuing a Spanish major, minor, or the Biliterate Certificate. Their inclusion in Sigma Delta Pi affirms their dedication to academic excellence and their role in fostering appreciation for the Spanish-speaking world.

Congratulations to all our newest members of Sigma Delta Pi!

Chanin Falcon, a U.S. military veteran and graduating senior at Our Lady of the Lake University, recently delivered her Senior Capstone presentation in Spanish for the Biliterate Certificate Program (BCP). A Social Work major, Chanin shared her reflections and insights on using Spanish in professional settings—specifically at RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services), a nonprofit that serves immigrant and refugee populations in San Antonio.

Her presentation, delivered entirely in Spanish, highlighted her language development throughout the program and her application of Spanish-language skills in advocacy work. RAICES envisions “a country where everyone can achieve the American dream with dignity and respect, regardless of their origin”—a mission that resonated deeply with Chanin’s academic and career goals.

The Biliterate Certificate Program at OLLU is designed to enhance students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities in academic Spanish. It prepares students to thrive in bilingual and bicultural professional environments, with special emphasis on their field of study. The BCP aligns with OLLU’s commitment to serving Hispanic and multilingual communities.

Dr. Maribel Lárraga, Professor of Spanish and current Director of the BCP, supervised Chanin’s capstone and praised her dedication and growth throughout the program.

Congratulations to Chanin Falcon for her exceptional work and for embodying the spirit of bilingual professionalism and social impact.

Orisha Moon, a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Our Lady of the Lake University, has been named a 2025 Ima Hogg Scholarship recipient by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. This highly regarded scholarship supports graduate-level social work students who are preparing to serve the mental health needs of underserved and underrepresented populations in Texas.

As part of this honor, Orisha will receive a $5,000 award to assist with academic expenses during the period of May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. The scholarship serves as both financial support and a recognition of Orisha’s commitment to mental health equity and community-based service.

The Hogg Foundation’s mission is to transform how communities promote mental health in everyday life. Through this scholarship, the foundation invests in future professionals like Orisha who are driven to make lasting impacts in Texas communities through culturally competent, accessible mental health care.

Congratulations to Orisha Moon on this outstanding recognition!

Our Lady of the Lake University is proud to announce that Nemesis Crociata, a graduating Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student, has been accepted into the MA/PhD Sociology program at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut.

Nemesis will enter the program with full funding for five years, an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects their academic excellence, research potential, and commitment to advancing the field of sociology.

This opportunity will allow Nemesis to pursue advanced graduate training in social theory, research methodology, and areas of critical importance to society—all while contributing to a vibrant academic community at UConn.

Congratulations to Nemesis on this well-deserved achievement and best wishes for continued success on this next chapter!

We are thrilled to announce that Bianca Villalobos, a graduating Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student at Our Lady of the Lake University, has been accepted into the Ph.D. School Psychology program at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

Bianca will join the program’s Research and Evaluation track—a path designed for scholars interested in advancing evidence-based practices in school psychology. Even more exciting, Bianca received a fully funded offer, a testament to her outstanding academic performance, research potential, and dedication to the field of psychology.

This prestigious opportunity positions Bianca to contribute meaningfully to research that supports student mental health and academic outcomes across diverse school settings.

Congratulations, Bianca, on this incredible achievement and the bright future ahead!