UIW 2024 System-Wide Symposium

Exploring and Celebrating our Hispanic Heritage through Education, Service, Research and Campus Life

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Oct. 7, 8, & 10, 2024

Time: 12:00-1:15 p.m. and 1:30-2:45 p.m. 
Location: Mabee Library Auditorium and Livestream

About the Event

The Lewis Center of the Americas, in collaboration with the Ettling Center and the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, is pleased to announce our forthcoming UIW system-wide symposium, scheduled for October 7th, 8th, and 10th, as part of UIW’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. The symposium will shed light on UIW courses, research, community service, or campus life events that have helped our UIW community, and particularly our students, to explore and celebrate our Hispanic heritage. We will also actively explore and celebrate our Hispanic heritage during the symposium itself.

For more information, contact Dr. Rafael Hoyle, at hoyle@uiwtx.edu

Register Here

All presentations will be live-streamed across all campuses. There will also be designated physical locations in San Antonio, Mexico City, and Irapuato, where participants can go to hear sessions in a live group setting. The designated location in San Antonio will be the Mabee Library Auditorium. Furthermore, as a special highlight of the symposium, we will deliver a TEDx Talk, coordinated by the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, and broadcast to a much wider international audience.

Between October 7th, 8th, and tenth sessions, you can immerse yourself in our engaging tabling experiences in the library atrium. These interactive displays will offer additional opportunities to connect, discover, and be inspired by the vibrant Hispanic culture.

Best of all, attendance is free and voluntary! Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an event that celebrates our shared heritage and fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the contributions of the Hispanic community. Register today and join us for an unforgettable experience!

Program Summary and Schedule

Monday, October 7th

12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Symposium Kick-Off

  • Introductory Comments - Dr. Rafael Hoyle, Director, Lewis Center of the Americas
  • Welcome - Dr. Thomas Evans, President, University of the Incarnate Word
  • Opening Prayer - Sister Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI and Professor of Religious Studies, UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • Panel Discussion: “Understanding the Diversity of Hispanic Identities in Today’s Global Society” - Dr. Arturo Chávez, Associate Vice-President of Mission and DEI
  • Question and Answer

1:30 – 2:45 p.m. Recognizing Our Hispanic Heritage through Community Service

Moderator: Dr. Leticia Vargas, Associate Professor and Core Site Director, Office of Clinical Affairs, UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Presentation: “Medical Mission Work in Colombia: Lifting up Children, Promoting the Culture to a New Generation, and Traveling Full Circle” - Dr. Roberto José Fajardo, Professor of Clinical and Applied Science Education, UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Presentation: “The Ettling Center’s Collaborative Programs with ARISE Adelante” - Teófilo Reyes, Assistant Director of Leadership and Global Engagement, Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability
  • Presentation: “Learning through Giving in Oaxaca” - Dr. Leticia Vargas, Associate Professor and Core Site Director, Office of Clinical Affairs, UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Question and Answer

Tuesday, October 8th

12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Exploring Our Hispanic Heritage through the Curriculum

Moderator: Dr. Laura M. López, Assistant Professor Assistant Professor of English, UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

  • Presentation: “Exploring and Celebrating Hispanic Heritage through Latina/o/x Communication Studies”- Dr. Zazil Reyes, Associate Professor of Communication Arts, UIW School of Media and Design
  • Presentation: “Transversing the Borderland: Supporting Identity, Belonging, and Classroom Fit for Hispanic College Students Tackling Difficult Topics in Writing Courses” - Dr. Tara Hembrough, Associate Professor of Composition and Rhetoric, UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • Presentation: “The Power of Latinx Literature to Preserve and Transform Our Cultural Heritage for Gen Z and Beyond” - Dr. Laura M. López, Assistant Professor of English, UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • Question and Answer

1:30 – 2:45 p.m. Leveraging Our Hispanic Heritage through the Curriculum and Academic Clubs

Moderator: Dr. Alicia Rubio, Undergraduate Director of Finance, H-E-B School of Business and Administration

  • “Mexican American Culture: A Psychology Course to Study the Impact of Borderlands Context” - Dr. Leslie Martínez, Associate Professor of Psychology, UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • “Impact of the UIW School of Rehabilitation Sciences Spanish Club: Student, Clinical and Administrative Perspectives” - Dr. Mónica C. Pozos, Clinical Assistant Professor, UIW School of Rehabilitation Sciences
  • “Empoderando el Futuro: Hispanic Undergraduate Students in STEM” – Dr. Ana Vallor, Associate Professor of Biology, UIW School of Math, Science and Engineering
  • Question and Answer

Thursday, October 10th

12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Strengthening Our Hispanic Heritage through the Curriculum

Moderator: Dr. Gabriel Saxton-Ruiz, Professor of Spanish, UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

  • “From Deficit to Strength: Student-Centered Learning in Religious Studies and Theology”- Dr. Adrienne Ambrose, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • “A Journey of Cultural Immersion and Language Acquisition in Guanajuato” - Dr. José Moreno, Department Chair and Professor Finance, H-E-B School of Business and Administration
  • “Savoring Latin America: A Multidisciplinary Journey Through Culture and Cuisine” - Dr. Gabriel Saxton-Ruiz, Professor of Spanish, UIW College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
  • Question and Answer

1:30 – 2:45 p.m. Honoring Hispanic Heritage through Our Profession and Career Journeys

  • Introductory comments - Dr. Rafael Hoyle, Director of the Lewis Center of the Americas
  • Moderated Panel: “Honoring Hispanic Heritage and Shaping our Future: A Panel Discussion on Hispanic Culture and the UIW Community” – Victoria Shipley, Academic Affairs Director of Operations and Planning, Office of the Provost
  • Symposium Closing Comments and Acknowledgements - Dr. Rafael Hoyle, Director, Lewis Center of the Americas