As Homecoming season arrives, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) celebrates its legacy and the lasting bonds that make the Nest a cherished home for students, alumni, faculty and staff alike. UIW President Thomas M. Evans, PhD, launched Homecoming week on Tuesday, November 10, with his 4th annual President’s Homecoming Address themed “We Walk Together.” UIW students, alumni, faculty, staff, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI), and others across the U.S. and around the world joined online. Watch on UIW Youtube Channel
When thinking about Homecoming, what inspires us to come back to this special place? Evans stated, “I think we can all agree—it is the people. No matter which location, campus or even country that you hail from, we are all a part of one community – One Word. I know one thing to be true—our journeys are never undertaken alone...at UIW, we walk together.”
His address highlighted UIW’s institutional growth, global expansion and Mission-driven initiatives. Evans defined the University’s core culture as one of accompaniment and relationship-building rather than transactions. Evans emphasized that being a part of UIW means being part of a Mission rooted in synodality and service provided by the Sisters who answered “YES” to a call motivated by the love of God and a spirit of Christian service that changed lives and the trajectory of our region.
Notable UIW highlights to celebrate this year include welcoming the largest incoming first year class, Founders Hall building, the new UIW Leon campus and many new opportunities through CHARISM.
UIW remains the largest Catholic institution in its region, home to 11 schools and colleges including four liberal arts schools, one college and five health professional schools. New to the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions is the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program that brought in a cohort of 32 students this fall.
UIW also includes a system of patient-facing clinics and multiple healthcare residencies through the Texas Institute for Graduate Medical Education and Research (TIGMER) in partnership with UIWSOM.
Strong partnerships continue to forge ahead with important centers that support Mission-driven work such as the Pastoral Institute, Ettling Center, and the Lewis Center of the Americas bringing world leaders to UIW. New this year is the Center for Chaplaincy which offers clinical pastoral education and a residency program with CHRISTUS Health.
The University operates 25 athletic teams, including 22 NCAA Division I programs, and recently achieved what Evans called a “Grand Slam” by winning the Commissioner Cup, the Community Service Award and the Academic Performance Award.
The University is significantly increasing its international footprint through new locations and alliances. In Mexico, UIW includes two locations that both offer double degrees recognized in the U.S., Mexico and in the last few years a triple degree recognized in the U.S., Mexico and Germany. Newest this semester, Centro Universitario Incarnate Word (CIW) has become Universidad Incarnate Word Mexico City which Evans was excited to reference saying out loud in front of the entire UIW community for the first time. The University’s newest location, UIW Leon, was added to the system in July and houses the Presidential Library of former President Vicente Fox.
Another program evolution is also Global Online, which has become UIW en Línea offering UIW degrees in Spanish to learners all over the world.
The CHARISM Alliance is a coalition of Catholic higher education institutions that fosters innovative collaboration among its members, creating opportunities such as shared online courses and study-away experiences through partnerships with Dominican University, the University of Mount Saint Vincent and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. All four universities are Mission-aligned institutions serving diverse populations of students. CHARISM is growing and will expand throughout the system.
In spirit of the theme of accompaniment, Evans commended our faculty community as the ambassadors of our Mission and on their own UIW journeys. Deepti Kharod, PhD, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) reflected on accompaniment by sharing her journey. She defined accompaniment as “walking alongside others, listening deeply and treating their experiences with respect.” Drawing from 20 years of teaching and seven years at UIW, she noted that humans thrive through connection despite rising loneliness. "Silos” is a concept she used to describe how individuals often live in isolated bubbles within a university setting. Since taking leadership last year, her goal was to create a hub that connects faculty across all departments and campuses. “I would say the CTL has the magic power to reach across silos that separate us, thereby doing invisible yet very important work of sustaining our Cardinal Community,” shared Kharod.
UIW’s Global enrollment exceeds more than 10,000 students across all cohorts and continues to grow. Cardinal demographics consist of a diverse, international student body with more than a dozen nationalities represented. Evans stated, “We know well that our students are far more than numbers and we continue to hear over and over again that our students and families choose UIW precisely because we do not treat them as a number or statistic.”
Joelle May, a senior student in the UIW Honors Program, shared her experience as a Flight Peer Mentor and the impact on student success. The mission of the program is to connect upper classmen with incoming students to provide guidance during their first year of college. May recalled a faculty mentor who helped her overcome a fear of applying out of state for medical school. She discovered she was limiting herself due to a fear of “possibility” leading her to complete her applications. “That push was a reminder that we often limit ourselves before anyone else has limited us.” stated May. She recognized that’s why she became a Flight Peer Mentor, to show what’s possible and remind students that they are not alone in their journey.
Evans accredited UIW being dubbed an “Opportunity College and University” by Carnegie Classification recognizing our ability to offer opportunities for student success. He was thrilled to announce that UIW won the “Best for Vets” award for the fourth year in a row, giving special thanks to Military and Veteran Center team for their service. With success comes challenges and with that in mind comes our Strategic Plan, A Call to Communion. He invited the community to visit the Strategic Plan 2031 on UIW’s webpage. He shared, “We must all be united in this goal, so that when our students graduate, they can do so the Word in the World who continue to learn and serve.”
Living the Mission of helping others is Teo Reyes, assistant director of Global Engagement Leadership at the Ettling Center and current doctoral student, who shared his first-generation student experience when he arrived at UIW in 2007. Reyes struggled during freshman year but attributed his turnaround to a faculty member who connected him with the right resources and twenty years later, he is nearing the completion of his dissertation. Reyes, also a Veteran, shared a Marine Corps phrase “If you want to get somewhere fast, go alone. If you want to get somewhere far, go with others.” Reyes assured that if you are a part of the UIW community, you will go far.
As we approach UIW’s 150th anniversary, Evans shared “We must ensure we continue to cherish this value and distinction that makes UIW unlike any other university. We want every Cardinal to feel not only supported, but to feel the tangible presence of God’s love through every encounter up (to) and beyond their graduation. Happy Homecoming and Praise be the Incarnate Word!”