On Monday, August 24, as new and returning students began an exciting new semester, UIW opened the doors of Founders Hall. Named in honor of our founders, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, this new facility promises to provide engaging collaborative spaces that encourage Mission-driven innovation and learning.
The start of a new academic year is an exciting time on all our UIW campuses, but particularly here on the UIW Broadway campus as new and returning Cardinals flock to the Nest as residents. On Thursday, Aug. 20 through Sunday, Aug. 23, the campus experienced, yet again, one of its largest anticipated move-ins with approximately 1,160 students choosing to call UIW their “home away from home.”
Nolan Ellis, BS ’19, MBA ’20, came to UIW in 2016 after earning a spot on the UIW Cardinal baseball team. He played for three years with aspirations of competing at the professional level, but chose to forge a new path with his talents.
UIW is home to many, including generations of families who have proudly made UIW their alma mater. Rozlyn Bermea, BA in Education ’20 and MA in Education ’23, carries that legacy forward; honoring the relatives who came before her, and celebrating the new generation starting their own UIW chapter.
In June, University of the Incarnate Word President Thomas M. Evans, PhD, joined a delegation of presidents and leaders of Catholic institutions for a summit in Rome. Organized by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the Lay Centre, this summit offered leaders an opportunity to reflect on mission, the Catholic Intellectual tradition and the important work of Catholic universities. And, perhaps most notably, it offered an opportunity for leaders to meet with Pope Leo XIV.
On June 3, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) welcomed approximately 90 high school students from 16 schools across South Texas for its annual Health Professions Discovery Day. Designed to introduce students to the wide range of careers available in healthcare, the event provided hands-on learning experiences, faculty interaction, and exposure to academic pathways within UIW's nationally recognized health professions programs.
Laila Barkoudeh, second-year medical student at the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), recently received the $1,000 Good Skin Knowledge Community Grant from the American Academy of Dermatology. In collaboration with Healing the Children - Texas, the grant will support a community outreach initiative focused on providing dermatologic health education to underserved youth within the Southside Independent School District in San Antonio.
Faculty members from UIW’s health professions schools continue to demonstrate their commitment to expanding new medical horizons, as they were just awarded a $100,000 grant from the American Osteopathic Association to study new treatment options for knee osteoarthritis. For the next two years, UIW faculty and collaborative team members will utilize these funds to conduct a pilot clinical trial that will test the efficacy of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) combined with Physical Therapy (PT) to improve knee pain and function in adult patients.
It’s not often that we enter a university already knowing who we are, who we want to become, or where we’re headed. Some of us discover ourselves and new passions as the semesters come and go, while others begin to see the bigger picture from a single class. And then some arrive knowing exactly what they want and how to get there. No path is better than another, and every route we take shapes us, making our stories that much more unique.
From a young age, we are encouraged to dream without limits. Yet as we grow older, doubt and fear can begin to shape those dreams, making them feel smaller or farther away. For many, the path forward becomes uncertain, but for those who persist, the heart often leads them back to where they were always meant to be. For Patricia Davis, BA ’75, MD, that place was medicine.
Growing up, we watch the people who guide and love us, quietly learning from their words, gestures and values. There’s a special beauty in seeing those lessons reflected back, a reminder that love leaves a legacy in the footsteps that follow.
University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) President Thomas M. Evans, PhD was featured on the Radical Cooperation podcast, presented by The Community Solution Education System. The episode highlights UIW's leading role in establishing a groundbreaking partnership among Catholic universities aimed at redefining collaboration in higher education.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Southland Conference Academic Performance Award for the incredible work UIW student-athletes have achieved in the classroom. This award means that UIW is now the first ever Southland Conference institution to collect all three major Southland Conference awards for achievement in academics, in community service and in competition.
On Saturday, May 23, the graduation ceremonies for the Brainpower Connection high schools were hosted on the UIW Broadway campus at the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center. Surrounded by family, friends, mentors and more, graduates from St. Anthony Catholic High School (SACHS) and Incarnate Word High School (IWHS) gathered to celebrate their high school graduations.
Sometimes, events unfold in our lives that don’t immediately make sense until we look back and realize we were placed exactly where we needed to be at precisely the right moment. For Ashley Behabetz, being furloughed from the Colorado Rockies in 2020 due to COVID-19 was unexpected. Yet, it was that very moment that pushed her to pursue her next opportunity in sports, eventually leading her to UIW.
For every student, choosing UIW is a personal journey. Still, many share the same experience the moment they arrive: a genuine sense of community. UIW is a place where students feel welcomed, supported and safe from day one. Mikayla Brownlow shares those same feelings. She saw UIW not only as a place of opportunity, but as an environment that surrounded her with the community she needed to succeed.
May 29, 2026 – For Carlos Angel Reyes, the Spring 2026 graduation at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) was a day of continued firsts. Reyes is a proud first-generation college graduate from his family and now he is part of the first class of UIW’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program out of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences. From newborn babies to the elderly, this first group of fifteen doctors will provide quality care to their patients, helping them overcome daily challenges.
Last week, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) celebrated its latest graduating Cardinals with a week’s worth of celebratory events. From ceremonies, celebrations and more, each event invited the Class of 2026 to reflect on their time here at the Nest before embarking on their journeys ahead.
Strategic partnerships, innovative ideas and emerging trends were the focus of the recent 15th Biennial International Conference from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, or HACU. This year’s theme was “Bridging Nations to Advance Higher Education” and brought together students and leaders in higher education from across the country to share their perspectives on teaching and learning around the world.
From enriching faith, nurturing passions, expanding academic knowledge and more, UIW helps to prepare students for their various chosen walks of life – throughout the generations. Sometimes, the University has the opportunity to serve UIW alumni families, demonstrating its continued commitment to its students even after they cross the commencement stage.
At the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), the H-E-B School of Business and Administration (HEBSBA) prepares Business students to “graduate ready to become the socially and globally aware professionals who will lead industries in Texas and around the world” (uiw.edu). One of HEBSBA’s spring 2026 graduates includes Dylan Castillo, Business Management major with an Entrepreneurship minor.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) originates from a history rooted in faith and service, as its three founding Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) created a legacy of helping those in need. Even now, UIW students continue to demonstrate themselves as the “Word” in the world, offering up their gifts, talents and ambitions to further serve their global community. One of these remarkable students is Cultural Studies major and spring 2026 graduate, Michelle Segura.
This spring 2026, the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) School of Rehabilitation Sciences (SRS) is proud to celebrate its inaugural graduating class from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. One of these inaugural graduates is Carlos Angel Reyes.
By providing educational journeys rooted in a context of faith in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God, UIW’s students are encouraged to make positive impacts through their respective walks of life in their own unique ways. Spring 2026 UIW Graduate Abby Allen demonstrated her passion for making impactful changes during her time at UIW.
On Saturday, April 25, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) hosted the third annual Heroes Health Fair. Since 2023, this yearly event welcomes nonprofit organizations and families, specifically those of children with special needs, to gather on the Broadway campus. The fair intends to create a space where attendees can connect with community resources that provide valuable support, services and information based on the respective needs of diverse community members.
Third-year Doctor of Pharmacy student, Jaclyn Moreno, was recently elected to serve as National Speaker of the House on the 2026-2027 Board of Directors for Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the Pharmacy Leadership Society (PLS).
On Wednesday, April 22, in celebration of Earth Day, the UIW Earth Month Committee hosted the 2026 Earth Day Fair on the Broadway Campus. The event welcomed departmental, student-led, non-profit and community organizations to showcase practices that raise awareness for ecological and environmental stewardship at UIW.
On Wednesday, April 15, UIW hosted the inaugural Artful Worship Celebration on the Broadway campus to showcase the program’s developments over just one year. Additionally, members of the community were invited to ignite their inner creativity by hearing from guest speakers on the Catholic imagination, viewing artistic and musical performances, engage in a book signing and more.
On Saturday, April 11, the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) hosted the spring 2026 Cardinals in the Community event, inviting UIW alumni and students to serve their community through a variety of volunteer opportunities at multiple locations throughout the city of San Antonio. This year, the ECCLS partnered with Headwaters Sanctuary, Towne Twin Village, the Witte Museum, the Healy Murphy Center and the San Antonio Food Bank.
Last week, students from the UIW Department of Graphic Design traveled to Dallas, TX to attend the 2026 National Student Showcase and Conference (NSSC). One of these students is senior Graphic Design major and future UIW ’26 graduate, Araceli Sanchez Robles.
In 2025, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) hosted the inaugural Moral Leadership Symposium on the Broadway campus. The event gathered local San Antonio community and service members from the U.S. military’s various branches to initiate conversations surrounding how one can take charge while considering morality. From Monday, April 13 – Thursday, April 16, UIW was pleased to serve as the host site for the second annual Moral Leadership Symposium.
On Friday, March 27, the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) was welcomed the new CEO of Catholic Charities, UIW alumna, Ada Saenz, BA ’03, to the Broadway campus. Saenz, was on campus to deliver a lecture to the campus community. Her visit, held in recognition of Women’s History Month, welcomed Saenz to share her inspiring journey and enduring legacy of service.
In May 2026, graduates of the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) will cross the commencement stage, officially earning their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. Just weeks earlier, on March 30, these future pharmacists gathered with classmates, faculty and Dean David Maize, RPh, PhD, to celebrate Match Day, the milestone moment when they revealed where across the country, they will continue their training through residency and fellowship programs.
On Wednesday, April 15, the University of the Incarnate Word will host the inaugural Artful Worship Celebration from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room, hosted by the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS).
Established in 1994, the CCVI Spirit Awards are presented annually to two members of the UIW community, one faculty and one student, whose lives embody the spirit of service of the founding Sisters. Recipients are selected by a committee of faculty and administrators, including previous award winners, and are recognized for exemplifying the mission and spirit of the Sisters through their service to both the UIW community and the broader San Antonio area.
On Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, the launch of CHARISM: Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission, was announced. It is in that spirit of collaboration that on Monday, March 23, 2026, the inaugural Lilly Artful Worship/CHARISM Speaker Series presented “The Glass Slipper and the Cross: A Catholic Reading of Cinderella,” a presentation that analyzed how the classic fairytale Cinderella reflects Christ’s biblical qualities including sacrifice, humility and grace.
On Wednesday, March 25, UIW celebrated Incarnate Word Day in conjunction with the Feast of the Annunciation, a major feast of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word as well as of the University.
On Monday, March 23, students and faculty from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) were invited to fill Easter eggs with candy and goodies on Dubuis Lawn. This drive was coordinated by the UIW First Generation Student & Faculty Staff Committees and the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) to benefit Catholic Charities Guadalupe Community Center’s afterschool program.
On Friday, March 20, National Match Day was celebrated at medical schools across the nation. The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) was joined by its medical students and their guests at the Boeing Center for the 2026 Match Day Ceremony.
Scott Kilian, a second-year medical student at the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), recently earned his fourth Southwest Conference victory as a competitor in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA).
On Monday, March 16, UIW Career Services and African Student Organization (ASO) hosted the “A Seat at the Table: Professional Women’s Panel” on the Broadway campus in celebration of Women’s History Month. The panel discussion invited five accomplished UIW-affiliated Black women (educators, alumni, coaches, partners and more) to share their professional journeys, successes, acquired wisdom and advise with their beloved Incarnate Word family.
Recently, five University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) students majoring in English and Teacher Education were led by Ann David, PhD, professor of Teacher Education, to volunteer at the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA) 2026 Annual Conference in Round Rock, Texas.
In moments when the world trembles under the weight of war, the University of the Incarnate Word cannot remain indifferent. Our mission has always been more than the pursuit of knowledge; it is the pursuit of truth, justice, and the dignity of every human person.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) hosted the fourth annual African and Afro-Caribbean Fashion Show in recognition of Black History Month (BHM) on the Broadway campus.
On Sunday, March 1, talented fashion designers from the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Fashion program and local high schools showcased their original designs at the UIW Fashion + Form + Function Show and Competition, hosted on the Broadway campus. Formerly known as the Red Dress Fashion Show, over 400 guests gathered in the Joeris Ballroom for the event, eager to see what San Antonio-area designers had created for this unique event.
Each March, the United States and many countries around the world celebrate Women’s History Month, recognizing the lasting impact women have made throughout history and continue to make today. On Tuesday, March 3, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) launched its celebration with the UIW Global Spring Fest and International Women’s Fair on the Broadway campus.
In today’s readings, the prophet Isaiah calls on the people to wash themselves clean of misdeeds, cease doing evil, and turn to doing good.
On Thursday, Feb. 19, Catholic Charities San Antonio hosted the kickoff event for the annual 40 Cans for Lent food drive in collaboration with the Archdiocese of San Antonio and its Catholic schools. This longstanding Lenten tradition encourages the community to donate canned goods to help support neighbors across San Antonio who are facing food insecurity.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) would not be the institution it is today without the countless contributions of women. From its founding by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) to the dedicated educators, leaders, students and alumni who continue to shape its future, women have been central to the University’s foundation and remain an enduring influence in its ongoing story.
The month of February is recognized as Black History Month (BHM) across the nation. Throughout the month, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) coordinated several events that celebrated the legacy of the Black community and recognized how the Black community continues to lead our nation into the future.
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) hosted the annual 2026 Pierre Lecture on the Broadway Campus. This year’s guest speaker was Senior Director for Theology and Sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association and CCVI Sister, Sr. Teresa “Tere” Maya. Sr. Tere was a notably special presenter, as she previously served as councilor and congregational leader for the CCVI congregation, and was the first CCVI Sister to serve as the lecture’s guest speaker.
On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Office of Admissions hosted Cardinal Preview Day on the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Broadway campus. This event welcomed prospective students and their families to visit UIW getting a sneak peek into life at the Nest and how they can get involved as potential future Cardinals.
On Sunday, March 1, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) will host its student fashion showcase, Fashion + Form + Function, at 3 p.m. in the Student Engagement Center’s Joeris Ballroom. The fashion showcase will feature talented designers from UIW’s Fashion program alongside students from local San Antonio high schools, as their original garments take center stage in a runway-style event.
On Friday, Feb. 13, The Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) hosted a laptop distribution drive in collaboration with Compudopt, a non-profit whose mission is to “provide technology access and education to under-resourced youth” (compudopt.org).
The University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Director of Accreditation and Quality Improvement, Victoria C. Shipley, was recently appointed as Chair of the City of San Antonio Higher Education Student Advisory Board (HESAB). UIW will also have additional representation on HESAB, as UIW Communication Arts Major, Eli Cohen, was appointed as Vice Chair.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Office of Alumni Relations and UIW Mission and Ministry hosted the annual Cardinal Couples Mass in Our Lady’s Chapel. This yearly tradition welcomes alumni couples back to the Broadway campus to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Surrounded by their Incarnate Word family and before God, couples gathered to celebrate the many love stories that started at the University.
Rachell Booth, PhD, professor of biochemistry in the UIW School of Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering, has been named a 2026 Fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
On Monday, Feb. 9, UIW’s College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) hosted the annual Bernadette O’Connor Lecture on Catholic Intellectual Traditions (CIT), with this year’s presentation exploring the positive impact that a Catholic education can have within the lives of its students.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) will be presenting the annual 2026 Pierre Lecture at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24 in the Joeris Ballroom (Student Engagement Center). Since 2001, the Pierre Lecture, named after one of UIW’s founding Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) Sister Pierre Cinquin, CCVI, has brought “distinguished women scholars of religious studies to campus to address current issues relating to social justice, ecology and globalization” (uiw.edu).
Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week has been observed in the last week of January as an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. This year’s celebration, hosted from Sunday, Jan. 25 – Saturday, Jan. 31, was themed "Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”
On Monday, Feb. 2, the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) invited the Cardinal community to become registered voters at their Voter Education and Registration Drive in preparation for the March 2026 Texas primary elections. February 2, marked the last day that Texas residents could register to vote in the upcoming elections.
UIW is celebrating yet another year of success, as it recently received recognition for its outstanding participation in the 2025 National Night Out celebration by the National Night Out organization. The Office of Campus Life is overjoyed that the event has once again been acknowledged, as it demonstrates UIW commitment to building a stronger and safer community both at the Nest and beyond.
The UIW Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) is celebrating an exciting achievement, as the FSOP Class of 2025 ranked #1 in pass rate in the state of Texas on the most recent North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).
Life has a beautiful way of placing you exactly where you need to be—each experience quietly preparing you for the next step. Though life is rarely predictable, the moments you live through were made for you, whether you felt ready for them or not. Through all the twists and turns, your full-circle moment will always find its way to you.
In a time of profound change for higher education, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is leading a transformational movement that reimagines how to educate and inspire students. The Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission — CHARISM — brings together four mission-aligned institutions: UIW, Dominican University, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón and University of Mount Saint Vincent. By connecting across languages, cultures and geographies, we jointly aspire to expand opportunities for students, amplify Catholic identity and model collaboration.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that the Feik School of Pharmacy Class of 2025 ranked No. 1 in pass rate in the State of Texas on the most recent North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). That is the national standardized exam used to assess a candidate’s competency in pharmacy practice for licensure in the United States, Canada and other jurisdictions.
On Monday, Feb. 9 the UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) will be presenting the annual Bernadette O’Connor Lecture on Catholic Intellectual Traditions (CIT) at 4:30 p.m. in the Grossman International Conference Center (Room R105 - Henriette Leonard Auditorium). This event has been hosted since 2017 with the intent to engage some facet of the CIT, most broadly understood as the dynamic and mutually illuminating conversation between the Catholic faith and human culture.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) has many remarkable faculty members that represent the institution at local, state and national levels. Amongst these notable faculty members is UIW Associate Professor of English LuElla D’Amico, PhD, who was recently elected to serve a four-year term on the National Board of the Lilly Network for Church-Related Colleges and Universities.
The month of February brings about the annual celebration of Black History Month (BHM) across the nation. The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is looking forward to hosting a variety of events in celebration of BHM 2026.
The University of the Incarnate Word’s Department of Music nurtures quality musicianship in all of its students. One of the department’s notable faculty members is Dr. Kevin Salfen, Department of Music’s associate dean and professor. Last year, Salfen had the opportunity to host a private screening of his musical film titled Phoenix Fire, which focuses on the failed 1940 and successful 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
In April 2025, the Teacher Education program was approved to offer a full-year Teacher Residency as part of an enhanced certification residency pathway. The residency allows UIW Teacher Education students to be paired with experienced teachers from Northwood Elementary to be mentored for a complete academic year. The residency’s first cohort of participating students began in August of 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year. In May 2026, cohort members Kaitlyn Weightman and Hope Fuschetto will be the first UIW students to complete the program and graduate.
Members of the University of the Incarnate Word community joined thousands of attendees Monday, Jan. 19, for the city’s 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. March, one of the largest commemorative marches in the country. Students, faculty, staff and alumni represented UIW along the route as the community gathered to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
President Evans announces a new leadership gift toward two exciting spaces in Founders Hall that connect its historic past to its exciting future.
Last month, SRS’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program officially received a seven-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This distinguished honor is a demonstration of the program’s exceptional quality, as it has successfully aligned with over 100 ACOTE standards related to curriculum quality, faculty expertise, student outcomes, fieldwork education, capstone education, ongoing program evaluation and more.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that, in December 2025, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program in the UIW School of Rehabilitation Sciences (SRS) officially received a seven-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This distinguished honor is a demonstration of the program’s exceptional quality, as it has successfully aligned with over 100 ACOTE standards related to curriculum quality, faculty expertise, student outcomes, fieldwork education, capstone education, ongoing program evaluation and more.
UIW will once again be participating in this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. March, welcoming students, faculty and community members to join in the day’s activities. Associate vice president of Mission and Ministry and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Arturo Chavez, and the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) will lead UIW community members seeking to be a part of the day.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) proudly announces the re-launch of its Dietetic Internship Program, now under the direction of Dagny Larson, PhD, RD, LD. This innovative program offers a 9-month, community-focused internship beginning every August, designed to train future registered dietitians with a strong foundation in sustainability and diverse practice settings. Interns will complete two graduate-level courses that prepare them for supervised practice and provide dedicated time for RD exam preparation.
According to Christian theology, God created the world and entrusted it to us as a gift that we are responsible for protecting.
Some of us can instantly remember our favorite teacher—the grade we were in, the subject they taught, and the way they made us feel. These memories stay vivid because the emotions behind them are so strong. Maybe it was their patience when no one else understood, the advice they offered when you were too afraid to ask anyone else, or the passion they brought to every lesson. Whatever it was, that teacher made an impact—and for many of us, they’re the reason we never gave up.
President Evans shares his annual Christmas greeting to every member of the UIW community in San Antonio, Mexico City, Irapuato, and anywhere in the world.
December brings both the close of the academic year and the anticipation of the Christmas season. At the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), it also marks a time of celebration as the University recognizes a new class of graduates preparing to take flight beyond the Nest. Prior to the Fall Class of 2025 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13, several events were held to commemorate the students’ achievement.
