Liza Manjarrez, senior associate director of Campus Ministry for St. Edward’s University, spoke with KXAN about the efforts hilltop leaders are taking to address food insecurity among students.
Political Science Professor Brian Smith spoke with KVUE about what Texans can expect with the kickoff of the 88th Texas Legislative Session.
AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes will travel this month to Panama City, Panama to engage with members of the Hilltopper family in Central America.
During her first international trip as president, Dr. Fuentes — along with Enrollment Management and Advancement Administration representatives — will visit numerous schools and meet with students, college counselors, alumni, donors and other supporters of St. Edward’s University.
“I am beyond excited for this opportunity to connect with our hilltop familia in Panama,” said President Fuentes. “I’m looking forward to strengthening our relationship with alumni in the area, as well as visiting with prospective students and families to share more about St. Edward’s University, which I hope will become their home away from home.”
The trip will convene a reception honoring our admitted students and alumni at the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo hotel. University officials anticipate this will be the largest gathering of St. Edward's alumni in Panama to date.
“With this trip we will celebrate our long history of Panamanian enrollment, honor our newly admitted students and visit local high schools to invite a new generation of students to discover what St. Edward's and Austin have to offer,” said David Bernay, Director of International Admission and Advancement.
St. Edward’s University has delivered higher education opportunities to Panamanians since the 1960s. There are currently 16 Panamanian students enrolled at St. Edward’s, and 77 living alumni in Panama with degrees in Business, Marketing, Communication and Economics.
In recent years, St. Edward’s has seen an increase in enrollment interest from Panama, including from the following high schools: Academia Interamericana de Panamá, Balboa Academy, Colegio Brader, El Colegio de Panamá and The International School of Panamá.
About St. Edward’s University:
St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 55 undergraduate and 8 graduate programs. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 20 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s remains in the list of top 10 Best Regional Universities in the West for the 4th consecutive year.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Hector and Gloria López Foundation (HGLF) announced a more than $2.1 million grant to provide full tuition assistance for 15 first-generation Latino students at St. Edward's University — creating pathways to educational attainment and a pipeline to a successful career.
Beginning in the Fall of 2023 and for the next five years, López Scholars will receive support for tuition and fees, as well as other resources including mentorship, tutoring, housing, study abroad programs, paid internships, leadership development and more.
This investment is informed by the Texas 60X30 plan, which calls for 60% of working-age Texans to receive a degree, certificate, or other postsecondary credential of value by 2030. To reach this goal, at least 285,000 Latino students must complete a degree or certificate each year.
In 2021, only 131,915 Latinos completed a degree or certificate and fewer than half of degrees awarded were bachelor’s. To help close this gap, the Hector and Gloria López Foundation partners with universities that are student-ready and dedicated to supporting Latino students in their dream to obtain a four-year degree.
“Our region has seen tremendous growth. Young Latinos are a part of that growth and need a network of support that gets them across the finish line with a degree that will boost their economic opportunities,” said Sergio Rodríguez, foundation CEO and nephew of Hector and Gloria López. “We’re proud to partner with St. Edward’s because of their comprehensive student support network for Latino students and commitment to developing compassionate, competent leaders.”
St. Edward’s is the only Austin institution — and the first private university in Texas — to receive an HGLF grant. Since becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in 1992, the university boasts impressive results: nearly 70% of Hispanic and Latino students at St. Edward’s graduate within six years, compared to the statewide average of just 45%. Through this new partnership, the López Scholars grant will solidify St. Edward’s as a destination university for first-generation Latino students.
“First-generation students belong on the hilltop,” said Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, president of St. Edward’s University. “Nearly one-third of our students are the first in their families to attend college, and our faculty and staff are eager to help them succeed in the classroom, on campus and beyond. We are honored that this grant affirms the importance of elevating future Latino leaders from all family backgrounds and life experiences.”
Hector and Gloria López left their estate to the Foundation – now Austin-based – in 2021. Their legacy is represented in the Foundation’s commitment to helping remove traditional barriers to resources and supporting the academic success of first-generation Latino college students in need of financial assistance across Texas.
Scholarship candidates do not have to submit an application or meet a minimum GPA or SAT/ACT score. To become a López Scholar, applicants must be Hispanic, demonstrate a financial need, be the first in their family to attend college and have lived in or graduated from a high school in one of the five focus areas — El Paso, Austin, San Antonio, and communities in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
“The fact that they are admitted is enough for us,” said Rodríguez. “We don’t need to put up another barrier in order to provide support.”
ABOUT HECTOR & GLORIA LÓPEZ FOUNDATION
The Hector and Gloria López Foundation provides post-secondary educational opportunities for Latino students in Texas, specifically students from El Paso, Austin, San Antonio, South Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley. Founded in 2021, the Foundation aims to reduce the financial and systemic barriers that students face on their journey to obtain a college or university degree. The Foundation also focuses on increasing Latino representation in faculty and administration as well as in philanthropy. For more information visit www.hglopezfoundation.org
ABOUT ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY
St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 55 undergraduate and 8 graduate programs. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service-learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 20 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s remains in the list of top 10 Best Regional Universities in the West for the 4th consecutive year.
AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University is proud to announce the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate are commemorating February 9, 2023 as St. Edward’s University Day at the Texas State Capitol.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, lawmakers gathered at the Texas State Capitol to adopt a resolution recognizing the long legacy of success at St. Edward’s University, our future and the impact we have on communities across Texas and beyond.
“We should all be incredibly proud of this recognition for St. Edward’s, and we are grateful to our devoted alumni, members of the Texas House and Senate, and our university community,” says Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, President of St. Edward’s University.
Archival footage of lawmakers adopting the resolution is accessible through the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate websites.
About St. Edward’s University:
St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 55 undergraduate and 8 graduate programs. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 20 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s remains in the list of top 10 Best Regional Universities in the West for the 4th consecutive year.
AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University is honored to have Kirk Watson, Mayor of the City of Austin, Texas, serve as the Commencement Speaker for the class of 2023.
Mayor Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and Juris Doctor from Baylor University. He previously served as Austin’s city leader from 1997 to 2001, as well as in the Texas Senate from 2006 to 2020. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience across the public policy spectrum — spanning three decades — on issues involving education, air quality, transportation, affordability and healthcare.
Mayor Watson has received numerous accolades over the years for his efforts in public policy, including the prestigious Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service by The American Medical Association, Open Government Lawmaker of the Year award by The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, Friend of the First Amendment by the Texas Press Association, and Austinite of the Year by The Austin Chamber of Commerce.
Spring 2023 commencement will take place on May 6 at 2 p.m. on the Lewis-Chen Family Field at St. Edward’s University, followed by the iconic Legacy Walk and Red Door Revelry.
About St. Edward’s University:
St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 55 undergraduate and 8 graduate programs. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 20 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s remains in the list of top 10 Best Regional Universities in the West for the 4th consecutive year.
The Austin American Statesman provided coverage for our first class of doctorate students to walk the stage at the 2022 Fall Commencement ceremony. The Statesman also spoke with Brandie Medina, the first Black woman to graduate from the university’s new doctoral program.
Kelley Coblentz Bautch, professor of Religious and Theological Studies, spoke with Moment Magazine journalist Bob Davis — former senior editor for The Wall Street Journal — about why Hanukkah isn’t included in the Hebrew Bible.
Emily Salazar, a former career counselor at St. Edward’s University, spoke with KXAN about her inspirational journey toward earning her doctorate degree at 75-years-old.
