Alumni Spotlight: Melanie Alvarado, BFA
09/25/2026As a child, Melanie Alvarado ’26 was captivated by cartoons and animated films. She watched them with both excitement and fascination, curious about how her favorite characters came to life.
As a child, Melanie Alvarado ’26 was captivated by cartoons and animated films. She watched them with both excitement and fascination, curious about how her favorite characters came to life.
The annual Bernadette O’Connor Lecture was held on September 21. The featured guest speaker was Timothy O’Malley, PhD from the University of Notre Dame who presented the topic of “Go Touch Some Grass: Renewing the Contemplative Spirit in a Digitally Saturated Age.” O’Malley serves as associate director for research at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and the academic director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy.
On Meet the Mission Day, University of the Incarnate Word students and employees served the greater San Antonio community.
September 18, 2026 – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that, for the 18th consecutive year, it has been recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the nation according to a new survey by the “Great Colleges to Work For” program. This year also marks the return of UIW to the program’s Honor Roll making this the 15th time the University has achieved that distinction. The Honor Roll designation is awarded to the top 10 four-year colleges in each size group that are recognized in the greatest number of categories.
Every November, the University of the Incarnate Word's Broadway campus transforms into a dazzling holiday destination during its annual Light the Way Holiday Festival. The beloved tradition draws thousands of San Antonio residents who gather to experience the millions of twinkling lights that illuminate the campus and mark the beginning of the Christmas season.
On September 14, a forum organized by Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, was held at Founders Hall associated with the project Bexar America250 created by the Bexar Heritage Center. Bexar America250 promotes the hidden history of Bexar County’s role in the American Revolution.
As an institution with a rich history of serving Hispanic and Latino students, UIW takes immense pride in its annual celebration of Hispanic heritage and achievements. This celebration is an opportunity to embrace the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic and Latino cultures on our campus. We invite you to explore, learn and be inspired by the achievements, traditions and voices that shape our world.
A memorial Mass sponsored by Mission and Ministry was held in Our Lady’s Chapel on Thursday, September 10, commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The UIW community gathered to prayerfully reflect on the tragedy and the challenges of creating a more peaceful world. Right Rev. Trevor Alexander, DD, adjunct faculty and UIW’s Protestant Chaplain, designed the service so people of all faiths could come together and stand in solidarity, reflecting on the memory of those who lost their lives that day. Included in the service, prayers and scriptures of Hebrew, Hindu and Islamic traditions were recited by UIW faculty who represented their faiths.
The 2026 Interdisciplinary Guatemala Service-Learning/Study Abroad Initiative marked the 3rd University service-learning experience in Santa Apolonia, Guatemala, and our largest student group to date. The initiative is led by Heather Barton-Weston, PhD, associate professor of Community Health Education, and Lauren Paul, DNP, MEd, GCNE, RN-BC, associate professor of Nursing.
The White Coat Ceremony has become one of the most meaningful traditions in medical education. The first ceremony was held on August 20, 1993, at Columbia University through the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. It was created as a rite of passage, recognizing that becoming a physician requires not only knowledge and skill, but also humanity, compassion and responsibility.
In 2015, UIW celebrated its inaugural Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates from the School of Rehabilitation Sciences (SRS), formerly known as the School of Physical Therapy. These first-time graduates dedicated themselves to aiding their patients by restoring, maintaining and promoting optimal physical function. With each graduating class that followed, the University has proudly contributed to national and global initiatives to prepare high-quality health professionals who will lead with the intention to heal.
In 1954, renowned San Antonio architect Atlee B. Ayres designed an eight-story headquarters for USAA that would become a landmark of mid-century modern architecture. Situated on 10 acres along Broadway, the building featured nearly 350,000 square feet of office space and a 500-car parking garage. Overseen by then-USAA President Col. Charles E. Cheever, Sr., the $6 million project served as the company's first modern headquarters.
Ask alumni about their first memories of UIW, and chances are they'll recall them with a smile. If you grew up in San Antonio, you probably remember driving by with your family on a cold December evening just to catch a glimpse of the Christmas lights. Watching in awe, you never imagined that one day you'd walk on these same grounds as a student, the very campus that lived in your childhood memories.
On Monday, August 24, as new and returning students began an exciting new semester, UIW opened the doors of Founders Hall. Named in honor of our founders, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, this new facility promises to provide engaging collaborative spaces that encourage Mission-driven innovation and learning.
The start of a new academic year is an exciting time on all our UIW campuses, but particularly here on the UIW Broadway campus as new and returning Cardinals flock to the Nest as residents. On Thursday, Aug. 20 through Sunday, Aug. 23, the campus experienced, yet again, one of its largest anticipated move-ins with approximately 1,160 students choosing to call UIW their “home away from home.”
Nolan Ellis, BS ’19, MBA ’20, came to UIW in 2016 after earning a spot on the UIW Cardinal baseball team. He played for three years with aspirations of competing at the professional level, but chose to forge a new path with his talents.
UIW is home to many, including generations of families who have proudly made UIW their alma mater. Rozlyn Bermea, BA in Education ’20 and MA in Education ’23, carries that legacy forward; honoring the relatives who came before her, and celebrating the new generation starting their own UIW chapter.
Laila Barkoudeh, second-year medical student at the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), recently received the $1,000 Good Skin Knowledge Community Grant from the American Academy of Dermatology. In collaboration with Healing the Children - Texas, the grant will support a community outreach initiative focused on providing dermatologic health education to underserved youth within the Southside Independent School District in San Antonio.
On June 3, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) welcomed approximately 90 high school students from 16 schools across South Texas for its annual Health Professions Discovery Day. Designed to introduce students to the wide range of careers available in healthcare, the event provided hands-on learning experiences, faculty interaction, and exposure to academic pathways within UIW's nationally recognized health professions programs.
In June, University of the Incarnate Word President Thomas M. Evans, PhD, joined a delegation of presidents and leaders of Catholic institutions for a summit in Rome. Organized by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the Lay Centre, this summit offered leaders an opportunity to reflect on mission, the Catholic Intellectual tradition and the important work of Catholic universities. And, perhaps most notably, it offered an opportunity for leaders to meet with Pope Leo XIV.
Faculty members from UIW’s health professions schools continue to demonstrate their commitment to expanding new medical horizons, as they were just awarded a $100,000 grant from the American Osteopathic Association to study new treatment options for knee osteoarthritis. For the next two years, UIW faculty and collaborative team members will utilize these funds to conduct a pilot clinical trial that will test the efficacy of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) combined with Physical Therapy (PT) to improve knee pain and function in adult patients.
University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) President Thomas M. Evans, PhD was featured on the Radical Cooperation podcast, presented by The Community Solution Education System. The episode highlights UIW's leading role in establishing a groundbreaking partnership among Catholic universities aimed at redefining collaboration in higher education.
On Saturday, May 23, the graduation ceremonies for the Brainpower Connection high schools were hosted on the UIW Broadway campus at the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center. Surrounded by family, friends, mentors and more, graduates from St. Anthony Catholic High School (SACHS) and Incarnate Word High School (IWHS) gathered to celebrate their high school graduations.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Southland Conference Academic Performance Award for the incredible work UIW student-athletes have achieved in the classroom. This award means that UIW is now the first ever Southland Conference institution to collect all three major Southland Conference awards for achievement in academics, in community service and in competition.
May 29, 2026 – For Carlos Angel Reyes, the Spring 2026 graduation at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) was a day of continued firsts. Reyes is a proud first-generation college graduate from his family and now he is part of the first class of UIW’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program out of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences. From newborn babies to the elderly, this first group of fifteen doctors will provide quality care to their patients, helping them overcome daily challenges.
Strategic partnerships, innovative ideas and emerging trends were the focus of the recent 15th Biennial International Conference from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, or HACU. This year’s theme was “Bridging Nations to Advance Higher Education” and brought together students and leaders in higher education from across the country to share their perspectives on teaching and learning around the world.
Last week, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) celebrated its latest graduating Cardinals with a week’s worth of celebratory events. From ceremonies, celebrations and more, each event invited the Class of 2026 to reflect on their time here at the Nest before embarking on their journeys ahead.
From enriching faith, nurturing passions, expanding academic knowledge and more, UIW helps to prepare students for their various chosen walks of life – throughout the generations. Sometimes, the University has the opportunity to serve UIW alumni families, demonstrating its continued commitment to its students even after they cross the commencement stage.
At the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), the H-E-B School of Business and Administration (HEBSBA) prepares Business students to “graduate ready to become the socially and globally aware professionals who will lead industries in Texas and around the world” (uiw.edu). One of HEBSBA’s spring 2026 graduates includes Dylan Castillo, Business Management major with an Entrepreneurship minor.
This spring 2026, the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) School of Rehabilitation Sciences (SRS) is proud to celebrate its inaugural graduating class from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. One of these inaugural graduates is Carlos Angel Reyes.
Third-year Doctor of Pharmacy student, Jaclyn Moreno, was recently elected to serve as National Speaker of the House on the 2026-2027 Board of Directors for Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the Pharmacy Leadership Society (PLS).
On Wednesday, April 22, in celebration of Earth Day, the UIW Earth Month Committee hosted the 2026 Earth Day Fair on the Broadway Campus. The event welcomed departmental, student-led, non-profit and community organizations to showcase practices that raise awareness for ecological and environmental stewardship at UIW.
On Saturday, April 25, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) hosted the third annual Heroes Health Fair. Since 2023, this yearly event welcomes nonprofit organizations and families, specifically those of children with special needs, to gather on the Broadway campus. The fair intends to create a space where attendees can connect with community resources that provide valuable support, services and information based on the respective needs of diverse community members.
On Saturday, April 11, the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) hosted the spring 2026 Cardinals in the Community event, inviting UIW alumni and students to serve their community through a variety of volunteer opportunities at multiple locations throughout the city of San Antonio. This year, the ECCLS partnered with Headwaters Sanctuary, Towne Twin Village, the Witte Museum, the Healy Murphy Center and the San Antonio Food Bank.
Last week, students from the UIW Department of Graphic Design traveled to Dallas, TX to attend the 2026 National Student Showcase and Conference (NSSC). One of these students is senior Graphic Design major and future UIW ’26 graduate, Araceli Sanchez Robles.
In 2025, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) hosted the inaugural Moral Leadership Symposium on the Broadway campus. The event gathered local San Antonio community and service members from the U.S. military’s various branches to initiate conversations surrounding how one can take charge while considering morality. From Monday, April 13 – Thursday, April 16, UIW was pleased to serve as the host site for the second annual Moral Leadership Symposium.
Established in 1994, the CCVI Spirit Awards are presented annually to two members of the UIW community, one faculty and one student, whose lives embody the spirit of service of the founding Sisters. Recipients are selected by a committee of faculty and administrators, including previous award winners, and are recognized for exemplifying the mission and spirit of the Sisters through their service to both the UIW community and the broader San Antonio area.
On Friday, March 27, the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) was welcomed the new CEO of Catholic Charities, UIW alumna, Ada Saenz, BA ’03, to the Broadway campus. Saenz, was on campus to deliver a lecture to the campus community. Her visit, held in recognition of Women’s History Month, welcomed Saenz to share her inspiring journey and enduring legacy of service.
In May 2026, graduates of the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) will cross the commencement stage, officially earning their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. Just weeks earlier, on March 30, these future pharmacists gathered with classmates, faculty and Dean David Maize, RPh, PhD, to celebrate Match Day, the milestone moment when they revealed where across the country, they will continue their training through residency and fellowship programs.
On Friday, March 20, National Match Day was celebrated at medical schools across the nation. The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) was joined by its medical students and their guests at the Boeing Center for the 2026 Match Day Ceremony.
On Monday, March 23, students and faculty from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) were invited to fill Easter eggs with candy and goodies on Dubuis Lawn. This drive was coordinated by the UIW First Generation Student & Faculty Staff Committees and the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) to benefit Catholic Charities Guadalupe Community Center’s afterschool program.
On Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, the launch of CHARISM: Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission, was announced. It is in that spirit of collaboration that on Monday, March 23, 2026, the inaugural Lilly Artful Worship/CHARISM Speaker Series presented “The Glass Slipper and the Cross: A Catholic Reading of Cinderella,” a presentation that analyzed how the classic fairytale Cinderella reflects Christ’s biblical qualities including sacrifice, humility and grace.
On Wednesday, March 25, UIW celebrated Incarnate Word Day in conjunction with the Feast of the Annunciation, a major feast of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word as well as of the University.
Recently, five University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) students majoring in English and Teacher Education were led by Ann David, PhD, professor of Teacher Education, to volunteer at the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA) 2026 Annual Conference in Round Rock, Texas.
On Monday, March 16, UIW Career Services and African Student Organization (ASO) hosted the “A Seat at the Table: Professional Women’s Panel” on the Broadway campus in celebration of Women’s History Month. The panel discussion invited five accomplished UIW-affiliated Black women (educators, alumni, coaches, partners and more) to share their professional journeys, successes, acquired wisdom and advise with their beloved Incarnate Word family.
Scott Kilian, a second-year medical student at the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), recently earned his fourth Southwest Conference victory as a competitor in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA).
On Sunday, March 1, talented fashion designers from the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Fashion program and local high schools showcased their original designs at the UIW Fashion + Form + Function Show and Competition, hosted on the Broadway campus. Formerly known as the Red Dress Fashion Show, over 400 guests gathered in the Joeris Ballroom for the event, eager to see what San Antonio-area designers had created for this unique event.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) hosted the fourth annual African and Afro-Caribbean Fashion Show in recognition of Black History Month (BHM) on the Broadway campus.
Each March, the United States and many countries around the world celebrate Women’s History Month, recognizing the lasting impact women have made throughout history and continue to make today. On Tuesday, March 3, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) launched its celebration with the UIW Global Spring Fest and International Women’s Fair on the Broadway campus.
The month of February is recognized as Black History Month (BHM) across the nation. Throughout the month, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) coordinated several events that celebrated the legacy of the Black community and recognized how the Black community continues to lead our nation into the future.
On Thursday, Feb. 19, Catholic Charities San Antonio hosted the kickoff event for the annual 40 Cans for Lent food drive in collaboration with the Archdiocese of San Antonio and its Catholic schools. This longstanding Lenten tradition encourages the community to donate canned goods to help support neighbors across San Antonio who are facing food insecurity.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) would not be the institution it is today without the countless contributions of women. From its founding by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) to the dedicated educators, leaders, students and alumni who continue to shape its future, women have been central to the University’s foundation and remain an enduring influence in its ongoing story.
On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Office of Admissions hosted Cardinal Preview Day on the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Broadway campus. This event welcomed prospective students and their families to visit UIW getting a sneak peek into life at the Nest and how they can get involved as potential future Cardinals.
On Sunday, March 1, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) will host its student fashion showcase, Fashion + Form + Function, at 3 p.m. in the Student Engagement Center’s Joeris Ballroom. The fashion showcase will feature talented designers from UIW’s Fashion program alongside students from local San Antonio high schools, as their original garments take center stage in a runway-style event.
The University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) Director of Accreditation and Quality Improvement, Victoria C. Shipley, was recently appointed as Chair of the City of San Antonio Higher Education Student Advisory Board (HESAB). UIW will also have additional representation on HESAB, as UIW Communication Arts Major, Eli Cohen, was appointed as Vice Chair.
On Friday, Feb. 13, The Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) hosted a laptop distribution drive in collaboration with Compudopt, a non-profit whose mission is to “provide technology access and education to under-resourced youth” (compudopt.org).
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Office of Alumni Relations and UIW Mission and Ministry hosted the annual Cardinal Couples Mass in Our Lady’s Chapel. This yearly tradition welcomes alumni couples back to the Broadway campus to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Surrounded by their Incarnate Word family and before God, couples gathered to celebrate the many love stories that started at the University.
Rachell Booth, PhD, professor of biochemistry in the UIW School of Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering, has been named a 2026 Fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
The UIW Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) is celebrating an exciting achievement, as the FSOP Class of 2025 ranked #1 in pass rate in the state of Texas on the most recent North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).
Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week has been observed in the last week of January as an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. This year’s celebration, hosted from Sunday, Jan. 25 – Saturday, Jan. 31, was themed "Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”
UIW is celebrating yet another year of success, as it recently received recognition for its outstanding participation in the 2025 National Night Out celebration by the National Night Out organization. The Office of Campus Life is overjoyed that the event has once again been acknowledged, as it demonstrates UIW commitment to building a stronger and safer community both at the Nest and beyond.
On Monday, Feb. 2, the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) invited the Cardinal community to become registered voters at their Voter Education and Registration Drive in preparation for the March 2026 Texas primary elections. February 2, marked the last day that Texas residents could register to vote in the upcoming elections.
In a time of profound change for higher education, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is leading a transformational movement that reimagines how to educate and inspire students. The Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission — CHARISM — brings together four mission-aligned institutions: UIW, Dominican University, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón and University of Mount Saint Vincent. By connecting across languages, cultures and geographies, we jointly aspire to expand opportunities for students, amplify Catholic identity and model collaboration.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that the Feik School of Pharmacy Class of 2025 ranked No. 1 in pass rate in the State of Texas on the most recent North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). That is the national standardized exam used to assess a candidate’s competency in pharmacy practice for licensure in the United States, Canada and other jurisdictions.
The month of February brings about the annual celebration of Black History Month (BHM) across the nation. The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is looking forward to hosting a variety of events in celebration of BHM 2026.
Members of the University of the Incarnate Word community joined thousands of attendees Monday, Jan. 19, for the city’s 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. March, one of the largest commemorative marches in the country. Students, faculty, staff and alumni represented UIW along the route as the community gathered to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In April 2025, the Teacher Education program was approved to offer a full-year Teacher Residency as part of an enhanced certification residency pathway. The residency allows UIW Teacher Education students to be paired with experienced teachers from Northwood Elementary to be mentored for a complete academic year. The residency’s first cohort of participating students began in August of 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year. In May 2026, cohort members Kaitlyn Weightman and Hope Fuschetto will be the first UIW students to complete the program and graduate.
Last month, SRS’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program officially received a seven-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This distinguished honor is a demonstration of the program’s exceptional quality, as it has successfully aligned with over 100 ACOTE standards related to curriculum quality, faculty expertise, student outcomes, fieldwork education, capstone education, ongoing program evaluation and more.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that, in December 2025, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program in the UIW School of Rehabilitation Sciences (SRS) officially received a seven-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This distinguished honor is a demonstration of the program’s exceptional quality, as it has successfully aligned with over 100 ACOTE standards related to curriculum quality, faculty expertise, student outcomes, fieldwork education, capstone education, ongoing program evaluation and more.
UIW will once again be participating in this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. March, welcoming students, faculty and community members to join in the day’s activities. Associate vice president of Mission and Ministry and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Arturo Chavez, and the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) will lead UIW community members seeking to be a part of the day.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) proudly announces the re-launch of its Dietetic Internship Program, now under the direction of Dagny Larson, PhD, RD, LD. This innovative program offers a 9-month, community-focused internship beginning every August, designed to train future registered dietitians with a strong foundation in sustainability and diverse practice settings. Interns will complete two graduate-level courses that prepare them for supervised practice and provide dedicated time for RD exam preparation.