Alumni Association

As an alumni association, our focus is fostering lifelong relationships among alumni and UIW. We are committed to promoting a sense of pride and engagement among graduates, as well as providing opportunities for networking, professional development and social connection.

Alumni Leaders

The UIW Alumni Association Board of Directors aims to deepen the loyalty of UIW alumni and encourages a mutually beneficial relationship between the institution and fellow alumni.

Board Leadership

Dr. Chris Alvarado

Dr. Chris Alvarado, Pharm.D. '10

President

Pharmacist H-E-B

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Dr. Christopher Alvarado is a proud alumnus of the UIW Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP). An honors graduate, Alvarado earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2010 and was presented with the inaugural Dean’s Pinnacle Award for excellence in education and leadership. In 2013, he was the recipient of the UIW FSOP APPE Preceptor of the Year Award.

Alvarado continued his excellence after graduation and in 2017 was the recipient of the UIW Alumni of Distinction award for Professional Achievement. Staying involved with UIW is of great importance to Alvarado, as he is presently serving a second term on the UIW Alumni Association and has climbed the ranks as the current president of the Board. He has always given unselfishly of his time from volunteering at commencement, working check-in stations, to being our official “Grill Master” during football tailgates.

Educating students about pharmacy and the importance of protecting the pharmacy profession is another of Alvarado’s missions. He has been a preceptor to many pharmacy students for over six years and challenges them during their rotations to help prepare them for their board exams and future careers. One of the ways he directly supports future pharmacists is through the Alvarado Advocacy Scholarship, his namesake award, which grants a $1,000 scholarship to one pharmacy student annually. A motivator and mentor, he believes in making a difference in future generations and guiding those who share his passion.

He has worked in the pharmacy business for more than 30 years and has made providing excellent patient care his primary focus. One of Alvarado’s finest qualities as a pharmacist is the unique gift of connecting with patients, colleagues, and students, which develop into lifelong relationships. Providing excellent patient care has been his primary focus, and as a result, he has become the trusted pharmacist to so many patients and their families. Alvarado worked at Oakdell Pharmacy for over 18 years and was the recipient of the Oakdell Pharmacy Award of Excellence for loyalty, leadership, and excellence in management in 2012 and 2014. Alvarado is currently employed by H-E-B and enjoys the challenges of a new journey in the pharmacy profession.

As a leader in his industry, Alvarado is a pharmacy advocate and stays involved in organizations that help protect the pharmacy profession. He serves as an officer or board member with several pharmacy organizations and regularly dedicates his time and talents to the pharmacy profession, serving the community. For his efforts, Alvarado has been awarded the following Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) awards: 2013 TPA Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year, 2015 TPA Pharmacist of the Year, and 2017 Bowl of Hygeia.

 

MaryAnne Schweers

MaryAnne Schweers '91, '93

Vice President

Founder & Director
PLC Strategies

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MaryAnne Schweers is the Founder & CEO of PLC Strategies, and Co-Founder of Little Yellow House Publishing. Her experience includes running both corporate marketing as well as corporate IT and brings a unique perspective, serving as the “interpreter” between Marketing and IT.

MaryAnne has well over 20 years experience designing and managing strategic initiatives from concept to delivery of software products and technologies. MaryAnne has consulted with some of the biggest companies in the world: BP, Kraft Foods, Kellogg’s, Becton Dickinson (BD), Methanex Corp, Harley Davidson, Madison Gas & Electric, Sandvik, Greyhound, MV Transportation and others. MayAnne has held positions with Infosys Consulting, Capgemini, Hyphen Solution, Nicklaus & Brown Companies and CACI International Inc.

MaryAnne is a member of the San Antonio World Affairs Council, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Amateurs San Antonio, University of the Incarnate Word Alumni Association, and the San Antonio Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA).

In her past she has served on the board of the Dallas Area Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse, the Project Meridian Foundation, and was a founding member of the Dallas Social Media Club. She has also served on communications/ PR teams for the San Antonio Food Bank and the San Antonio Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In MaryAnne’s spare time, she loves to cook, play golf, travel, attend art related events and museums, and spends time with her beloved mini dachshund Siggy.

 

MaryAnne Schweers

Annie Sustaita '19

Secretary

USAA

Annie Sustaita graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Development and currently serves as the association’s secretary. Living out the Mission of the University is something Sustaita continues to prioritize in her professional career at USAA, where she currently serves as a business process owner. As a business process owner at one of the leading providers of insurance, investing and banking solutions to members of the U.S. military and veterans, Sustaita's education at UIW prepared her for the day-to-day duties of a fast-paced working environment. Her passion and dedication on the UIW Alumni Association Board allows other graduates to have an impact on their communities, even years after graduation.

 

Board of Directors

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Jacob Bloodworth '19

Board Member

Senior Consulting Analyst
Huron Consulting Group

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Trevor Alexander

The Right Rev. Dr. Trevor Alexander '96

Board Member

Protestant Chaplain
University of the Incarnate Word

LinkedIn

 

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Jonathan Chaires '15

Board Member

Attorney
Ray Peña McChristian, PC

LinkedIn

 

Carissa Collins

Carissa Collins '93

Board Member

Finance Manager
Levi Strauss & Co.

LinkedIn

 

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Kevin L. Copes '18

Board Member

Software Engineer
USAA

LinkedIn

 

Rory Dew Profile PictureRory Dew '15

Marketing and Communications Manager
City of San Antonio

LinkedIn

 

Michael Gonzales

Michael Gonzales '10

Board Member

Director
Corporate Counsel

LinkedIn

 

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Adam Lazaro Martinez '07, '09

Board Member

Business Development Associate
REDW

LinkedIn

 

Jeff Neal

Jeff Neal '17

Board Member

Doctoral Student
UIW

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Matthew Occhipinti

Matthew Occhipinti '15

Board Member

Growth and Development Director Financial Advisor
Northwestern Mutual

LinkedIn

 

Amanda RobertsAmanda L. Roberts, PhD, MA '10

Board Member

Biomedical Scientist,
STEAM Education Advocate

LinkedIn

 

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Reuben Rodriguez '16

Board Member

Deputy Director
Commander’s Action Group at United States Air Force

LinkedIn

 

Dr. Victor James Young

Dr. Victor James Young  '12, '15

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

 

Professional Schools

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Dr. David Clay, IV, '21 DPT 

Board Member

School of Physical Therapy

LinkedIn

Dr. Marco Vidaurri Profile PictureDr. Marco Vidaurri, '10 Pharm. D. 

Board Member

Feik School of Pharmacy

 

Dr. Ian Enriquez Profile PictureDr. Ian Enriquez, '21 DO 

Board Member

School of Osteopathic Medicine

 

Atzel Jonathon Pena Profile PictureAtzel Jonatan Peña, '08 BBA '20 MBA 

Board Member

Mexico Alumni Network 

LinkedIn

 

Ex-Officio

 

Michael Mercer Profile PictureMichael Mercer

Board Member

Senior Instructor/Logos Advisor School of Media & Design, UIW 

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