Tag: Gloria Urrabazo

Adelante Training and Development Conference a rousing success

The second annual Adelante Training and Development Conference, held May 22-23,  was a rousing success.

The theme for the conference – “The Difference You Make” – focused on the tremendous impact OLLU employees have had on our students.

Participants had a chance to hear Trellis Strategies representatives share on customer service while delivering great tools, examples, and interactions with the crowd in order to relate, inspire, and reflect on personal and interpersonal skills in customer service. OLLU staff, faculty, and Trellis volunteered as session speakers with professional development topics to share during the two day conference.

Staff Assembly would like to express its gratitude to OLLU President Abel Chávez, PhD, for his welcoming address, Vice-President of Mission and Ministry, Gloria Urrabazo, for her prayer to pause and focus on the theme, and Assistant Vice President of Administration, Mary Scotka, for her leadership in these preparations. Staff Assembly also thanks all of the speakers, participants, and Adelante committee team for supporting this conference and making this event so memorable!

OLLU-Houston holds annual fall Blessing Ceremony

Working collaboratively to accomplish goals was the focus of the third annual Blessing Ceremony that launched the new academic year at OLLU-Houston on Sept. 16.

Dozens of students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and community members attended the event during a break between morning and afternoon classes. 

The Office of Mission and Ministry, under the leadership of Vice President Gloria Urrabazo, worked with the #TeamOLLUHouston on the program, which included different experiences for those who attended.

This year’s program participants included George Williams, PhD, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Jared Montoya, PhD, Associate Provost for Graduate and Online Programs. Dr. Williams offered reflections about the power of hope, determination, and perseverance inspired through faith. 

“We have to consider the whole person when supporting our students,” said Gloria Goode, Houston’s Student Success Coordinator. She continued, “Our students are balancing graduate school, work, family, and other obligations. Our goal is to emphasize how together we can help them navigate their program.” 

Spirit Teams participate in traditional ‘Living the Legacy’

The Spirit Teams had their traditional “Living the Legacy” event on Thursday, Aug. 5 with Vice President for Mission and Ministry Gloria Urrabazo.

This event was created to educate incoming student-athletes on the Cheer and Dance teams about the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, founders of OLLU. The sisters built the university and give purpose to its Core Values within the athlete and the teams. Our Lady of the Lake University is a Catholic community with faith in a Provident God at its roots. The quality of its relationships defines its work toward the Mission and the Vision. OLLU’s Core Values reflect what the university believes and live in their daily lives as Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and administration of Our Lady of the Lake University. The four Core Values are as follows:

Community

We are a community who values and expects: Respect for diversity of experience, thought and expression; Transparency and accountability; and 

Productivity, creation and innovation.

Integrity

We engage in consistent, professional practice through our relationships that involve: Honesty, openness, and ethical behavior; and Congruence between ideals and behavior.

Trust

We recognize our individual and collective roles and responsibilities. As loyal and contributing members of the University, we demonstrate: Conscientiousness in performing our duties; Accountability to one another; and Responsibility for University resources.

Service

We are called to share our resources through: Use of our personal skills and knowledge for the benefit of others; and Promotion of the common good of the University and external communities.

Gloria offered a journal to all athletes for prayer and reflection as they face hardship and triumphs throughout their college journey.

Cheer and Dance Head Coach Crystal Brock said, “It’s a great event we started last year. In this sacred ceremony, there is a blessing for each athlete and the coaches. It’s an emotional time for our students.”

Brock commented, “The Spirit athletes embraced all the OLLU traditions and learned about our history with guest speaker Gloria Urrabazo in our beautiful Sacred Heart Chapel.”