McNair Scholars Program

Baseball’s Zuniga named RRAC Etier Character Athlete of the Year

OLLU catcher Diego Zuniga has achieved a remarkable feat, earning the esteemed title of the 2023-2024 Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Etier Character Male Athlete of the Year, a recognition of unparalleled honor and prestige.

Now in its eighth year, the award is given annually to one male and one female RRAC student-athlete who best represents the tenets of the NAIA Champions of Character program (respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership).

The awards were posthumously named for Betty Etier, an NAIA/RRAC Hall of Famer, RRAC Eligibility Chair for 18 years, and an associate professor and faculty athletics representative at Huston-Tillotson University (Texas).

Zuniga, who just completed his sophomore year, is a junior from McAllen, Texas, and a two-year starter. He holds a 3.1 GPA in Kinesiology and was selected to be a member of the McNair Scholars Program because of his characteristics as a student-athlete and his excellence in the classroom.

The McNair program is federally funded and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, preparing Zuniga for post-graduate work through his participation in academic and community-related activities. Zuniga was installed as a catcher when he arrived at OLLU due to his leadership and the example he sets for his teammates. He plans on completing his final two years on the baseball team at OLLU before exploring a career in athletics.

Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium winners announced

Congratulations to all the winners at the 9th Annual Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium, which was held on April 16 in the Multicultural Activities Center (MARC).

Hosted by the Ronald McNair Scholars Program, the symposium produced an array of outstanding presentations. The winners are:

Freshman STEM
CRISPR-Cas9 Ethics: The Debate Over Genetic Disease Cures and Designer Babies
Anthony Perez and Kaylan Baptiste

Freshman PSYCHOLOGY
What Causes Someone to Become a Serial Killer
Star Sanchez, Katelyn Mamone and Jake Dufner

Senior KINESIOLOGY
Does Arm Length Affect Driving Distance?
Massimo Garcia and Dominique Boggs

Senior HISTORY
The Economic Impact of World War I That Would Cause the Great Depression
Gilberto Alvarado III

McNair Undergraduate Research Symposium set for Tuesday

The 9^th Annual Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium, hosted by the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, will be held on Tuesday from Noon–2:15 p.m. in the Multicultural Activities and Recreation Center (MARC).

Any student, faculty, and staff on the San Antonio campus interested in hearing about research being conducted by undergraduate students on campus are invited to stop by and walk through the poster session. There will be 19 research posters presented from a variety of majors.

Heavy hors d’oeuvre will be available while they last. If you have questions, email mcnair@ollusa.edu.

McNair Scholars Program accepting applications for 2024-2025

Are you a full-time student with sophomore or junior standing as of fall 2024, who is either a first-generation and limited-income student OR a student from an underrepresented group in graduate studies, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, that is interested in pursuing a graduate program, specifically a PhD, EdD, or similar degree?

The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. McNair Scholars are guided through research and scholarly activities by a faculty mentor, receive guidance and support with the graduate school admission process, as well as additional personal and professional development opportunities to prepare for graduate studies.

To learn more about the program benefits, eligibility criteria, and access the application click here or scan the code below.

Renowned educator Dr. Laura I. Rendón coming to OLLU Nov. 6

Renowned educator Laura I. Rendón will speak at OLLU on Nov. 6 presenting one session for faculty and staff, one for faculty and one for students.

SESSION I — “Fostering Success for Low-Income, First-Generation Students“
Open to all faculty and staff
Nov. 6
12:30-1:45 p.m.
MARC Ballroom
Register online
This session is designed to help faculty and staff work with low-income, first-generation students. The focus will be on the importance of validating students as capable learners, recognizing and leveraging student assets, and employing a sentipensante (sensing/thinking) approach to teaching and learning that also connects to issues related to equity and justice.

SESSION II — “Designing A Culturally-Validating Sentipensante (Sensing/Thinking Pedagogy)”
Open to faculty, registration required.
Nov. 6
3-5 p.m.
MARC Ballroom
Register online (required)

This workshop will feature an overview of contemporary pedagogies that can foster inclusion, equity, justice and well-being. In particular, Rendon will explain the basic tenets of operating with Sentipensante (Sensing/Thinking) Pedagogy to address the interconnection and rhythmic balance between intellectual, social, emotional and inner-life skill development. Rendón will feature videos of faculty who foster deep learning while employing prácticas de conocimiento/illuminative knowledge tools (i.e., autoethnography, socially-driven art, photography, guided imagery, audio narratives, music and periods of reflection).

SESSION III — “Overcoming Challenges and Employing Strengths to Succeed in College“
Open to all students
Nov. 6
6:30-7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Thiry Auditorium
No registration required

This session will present the key challenges first-generation, low-income students face in college and how students can overcome them. Students will also learn personal strengths which can be employed to succeed in college, the importance of establishing validating relationships, and the need to learn the college learning culture.

The McNair Scholars Program, Center for Mexican American Studies and Research, Center for Women in Church and Society, HuSS Department, Title V PODER Grant, THECB Grant, and 1st Gen. and Tri Alpha Student Organizations are sponsoring Dr. Rendon’s visit.

To learn more about Dr. Rendón, visit: https://www.laurarendon.net/. For questions, contact jmquintero@ollusa.edu.