Celebrating Hilltop Successes for the 2025–2026 Academic Year
From national recognition and groundbreaking research to transformative internships and prestigious graduate school acceptances, this year showcased the extraordinary accomplishments of the St. Edward’s University community.
Meet some of the students, alumni, faculty and staff who embodied the university’s mission through leadership, innovation, scholarship and service while making an impact locally, nationally and globally.
Undergraduates Making an Impact
Elyse Wick ‘25 | Hailey Hibbs ‘25
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Elyse Wick and Hailey Hibbs are among the first-ever graduates of St. Edward’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program under the School of Health Sciences, completing their degrees in Fall 2025.
Wick began her residency in October in the cardiovascular IMC unit at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin. She previously earned her Biology degree from St. Edward’s in 2023 and was recognized as a 2024 Presidential Award Winner.
Hibbs continues her work at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center in the labor and delivery unit.
Michelle Rodriguez ‘26
Forensic Science
Michelle Rodriguez graduated in Spring 2026 and has accepted a position as a Crime Scene Evidence Technician with the Elgin Police Department. In this role, she will collect, process, and present evidence for investigations.
Auriel Zhou ‘26
International Business
Auriel Zhou graduated in Spring 2026 and is leaving a lasting impact on the Hilltop through her work with St. Edward’s University Recreation and Wellness.
As part of her senior honors thesis, Zhou developed a proposal for portable, sustainable LED lighting systems to improve safety and accessibility for outdoor club sports facilities.
She launched a $15,000 crowdfunding campaign to support the project, nearly reaching her goal before commencement. With more than $14,500 raised and the lighting system secured, installation is planned for Fall 2026.
Robin Long ‘28
History
Robin Long originally attended St. Edward’s in the 1990s and returned to the Hilltop to complete her History degree.
After receiving the Martin Scholarship, she traveled to New York City, Alabama, and New Orleans to conduct archival research on historical food riots and disturbances.
Her research in Mobile, Alabama examined debated accounts of a supposed bread riot in 1863. After identifying related documented food disturbances, Long submitted her article to the Alabama Review for publication consideration.
Graduate Students Leading Change
Aiyannah Sierra Lewis ‘27
Master of Arts in Counseling
Aiyannah Sierra Lewis was selected as a 2025 National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates Foundation Minority Fellowship Program Master’s Fellow.
She also presented “Navigating Microaggressions in the Counseling Profession: A Call for Safe Spaces, Critical Reflection, and Real Inclusivity” at the Texas Counseling Association’s 69th Annual Professional Growth Conference in Houston in Fall 2025..
Rudy Castillo ‘26
Master of Business Administration
Rudy Castillo graduated in Spring 2026 and plans to launch MarginSight Capital, a boutique investment advisory firm focused on intentional planning and long-term financial strategy.
The firm is scheduled to launch in Fall 2026 and will support individuals and families in making informed financial decisions through thoughtful analysis and planning.
Isabella Ovalle ‘27 | Sydney Salinas ‘26 | Shunji Watanabe ‘26 | Daniel Choi ‘26
Master of Science in Business Analytics
This spring, four graduate students represented St. Edward’s at the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. Isabella Ovalle, Sydney Salinas, Shunji Watanabe and Daniel Choi placed among the Top 30 competitors nationwide, competing against students from universities across the country.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Samuel Muwanika ‘27
Behavioural Neuroscience
Last summer, Samuel Muwanika traveled to the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut for a research internship with the Yale Child Study Center.
As part of the Developmental Science Summer Internship, Muwanika worked under the mentorship of the Director of the Human and Animal Integrated Research Lab and contributed to their research on advancing child development and mental health.
Giselle Haley ‘26
Marketing
Last summer, Giselle Haley served as a Brand Intern at The Lede Company in New York City, collaborating with global brands including Nike, Hennessy, Good American, and PATTERN Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross.
She also previously interned with Louis Vuitton in Paris, supporting Pharrell Williams’ creative team in branding and client relations during her study abroad experience.
Maya X. Núñez ‘27
Biochemistry
In Spring 2026, Maya X. Núñez participated in a study abroad program in Costa Rica focused on tropical Ecology, conservation and sustainable development.
Over the course of the program, she worked alongside researchers and community leaders addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Graduates Advance Their Education
Justin Treviño ‘26
Video Game Development and User Experience Design
Justin Treviño, a first-to-college student, has been accepted into the Master in Higher Education in Student Affairs and Administration program at the University of Southern California for Fall 2026.
During his time on the Hilltop, Treviño served as Vice President for the Student Government Association.
Treviño is also a 2026 Presidential Award Winner.
Hannah Simpson ‘25
Biology
Hannah Simpson has been accepted into the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston for Fall 2026.
During her time on the Hilltop, Simpson co-authored a research paper titled “Characterization of pectinase-producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae UCDFST 09-448 and its effects on cull peach fermentation” in the Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology.
Simpson is also a 2026 Presidential Award Winner.
Pedro Galvan ‘24
History
Pedro Galvan has been accepted into the PhD program at Texas A&M University, College Station for Fall 2026. Galvan is currently completing his Master of Arts in History at Baylor University, where he is conducting his master’s thesis.
Nicole Williams Quezada ‘25
Writing and Rhetoric
Nicole W. Quezada has been accepted into the Master of Science program within the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism for Fall 2026. She will study at the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism to enhance her knowledge of investigative journalism.
Alumni Making a Difference Worldwide
Emma Viquez ‘23
International Business
Emma Viquez has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Belize in May to train as a youth and sports development facilitator. She joins 174 Texas residents currently serving in the Peace Corps.
Viquez was also a 2024 Presidential Award Winner.
Matilda Sorić ‘23
Mathematics
Matilda Sorić has accepted a new position as a Data Engineer at Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment. Last year, she earned a prestigious WNBA championship ring through her role as a Data Analyst for the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty basketball teams.
Marcela Andrés ‘05
Finance
Marcela Andrés, a first-to-college graduate, was recognized as the Most Admired CEO of 2025 by the Houston Business Journal. In addition, Andrés served as a panelist at the SXSW EDU Conference & Festival in Spring 2026.
Derrick Wesley ‘25
Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Higher Education
In Spring 2026, Derrick Wesley presented his research project, based on his dissertation, "Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities" at the 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Conference in Los Angeles, California.
Faculty Excellence on the Hilltop
Adam McCormick
Professor of Social Work | School of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Adam McCormick was named a 2026 Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.
McCormick is one of only ten educators from two and four-year colleges and universities statewide to earn this prestigious honor from the foundation’s Piper Professor Program. The Piper Foundation awards $5,000 to each recipient in recognition for superior teaching at the college level.
Sarah Agarwal
Assistant Professor of Counseling | School of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Sarah Agarwal was selected for The Association for Play Therapy 2026 Research Award for her manuscript “Regulating through relationship: Child–teacher relationship therapy with preschool teachers.”
This award is presented annually to one professional selected from nominations received nationwide. Agarwal will be honored at the Association for Play Therapy conference in Fall 2026.
Mark Cherry
Professor of Philosophy | School of Arts and Humanities
Mark Cherry’s book Bioethics after God: Morality, Culture, and Medicine was awarded first place in the Faith and Science category of the 2025 Catholic Media Association Book Awards.
Tom Sechrest
Program Director | Doctorate of Education in Leadership & Higher Education
In Fall 2025, Tom Sechrest presented at the 27th International Leadership Association Global Conference in Prague, Czechia. Sechrest accompanied Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Higher Education graduate Elissa Jo Roberts ‘23 as they presented their session “Connecting Leaders Through Mindful Storytelling” at the conference.
Staff in the Spotlight
Roy Johnson
University Arborist and Sustainability Coordinator
Roy Johnson was featured in KXAN, CBS Austin, Community Impact and Austin Chronicle for his involvement in securing funding from H-E-B to establish Austin’s first-ever Tiny Forest in Spring 2026.
The forest is home to nearly 600 square feet of more than 160 trees and shrubs at a plot located across from the Lucian-Hamilton Baseball Field and East Hall at St. Edward’s.
Travis Williams
Archivist and Special Collections Librarian | The Munday Library
Travis Williams was awarded the 2025 Outreach Award from Texas Digital Libraries for his creation of the TexasBeerArchive.org website and accompanying Hillhops event. Williams formally accepted the award at the annual Texas Conference on Digital Libraries in Austin, Texas in May 2025.
Paul Vickery
Environmental Education Coordinator | The Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
Paul Vickery was named Member of the Second Quarter by the Westlake Chamber of Commerce and received the 2025 Bee Cave Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year Award.
Brittany Stansel | Jessica Waites | Chris Finfrock
Career and Professional Development
In Fall 2025, the Career and Professional Development (CAPD) team was invited to deliver a Career Everywhere Live session highlighting the university’s signature Career Treks program.
More than 150 career services professionals across the nation joined, where the CAPD team shared insights and industry-leading practices on building transformative experiential learning opportunities for students.
