Excellence Summit 2026
Join us for 19th Annual Excellence Summit (April 20 to April 23) to celebrate UIW's researchers, scholars, and artists from all disciplines as they share their innovation, scholarship, creative works, and impactful achievements. Explore artistic, musical, and theatrical presentations, alongside innovative research, capstone projects, and scholarly works.
In addition, the Moody Professor Lectures and the Service-Learning Showcase will be featured during our celebration.
Schedule:
(Official times to be announced)
- Monday, April 20th - SEC Ballroom
- Podium Presentations and Performing Art Exhibitions - SEC Ballroom
- Tuesday, April 21st - SEC Ballroom
- Poster Presentations and Fulbright Award Showcase - SEC Ballroom
- Wednesday, April 22nd - Mabee Library
- Lilly Fellows Showcase: Dreaming the Mission - Special Collections
- Moody Professorship Lectures - Auditorium
- 5 pm-8 pm: Dr. Teresa Harrison, UIW and Dr. Octavio Quintanilla, OLLU
- Thursday, April 23rd - SEC Ballroom
Key Dates:
- Abstract submissions: Dec. 8, 2025 – Feb. 20, 2026 (Closed)
- SLES submissions: Jan 25, 2026 – March 6, 2026
- Submission review: Feb. 23, 2026 – March 15, 2026
- Presentation submissions on Symposium: March 23, 2026 – April 8, 2026
The Service Learning Showcase will be held during the UIW Excellence Summit, April 20 to 23, 2026.
UIW community members, that is faculty, students, and staff are invited to share podium presentations, or poster submissions that demonstrate service learning and engaged scholarship. We seek best practices, examples, theories, scholarship, and grant writing skills related to all aspects of service learning. UIW has valued Engaged Scholarship. Ernest Boyer coined the term “Engaged Scholarship” to describe teaching and research that connect “the rich resources of the university to our most pressing social, civic, and ethical problems.”
Service Learning at UIW includes community service which a) is required in the class or the program, b) is completed to better understand course or program content, c) reflects concern for the well-being of the community, and d) helps students to reflect, find meaning in their lives, and keep engaged to be good citizens in the future.
To see examples of Showcase presentations 2017 to 2024, open the booklets that are posted on the UIW LibGuide.
To learn more, visit Service Learning | Service Learning
In the proposal for a podium presentation or a poster presentation, please write a description. This will appear in the postings and publications about the Service Learning and Engaged Scholarship Showcase.
Please include: a) Purpose and aims, b) Rationale and significance, c) The approach, the methodology, d) The findings and reflection on these.
All of those combined should be no less than 300 and no more than 600 words. Keep in mind how this connects with the UIW Mission.
3. Submissions must be made via Submittable.
4. All relevant sections must be completed. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
5. Provide the complete title of your work as you wish it to appear in the Proceedings.
6. List authors in the order in which you wish them to appear in the Proceedings.
7. Please check all text for errors before submitting.
8. Submissions are reviewed and selected by the showcase organizing committee. Those who submit proposals will get a response as soon as possible so that they have at least a month to prepare.
9. Deadline for submission: March 06, 2026, (11:59 pm).
If you have questions, feel free to contact Service-Learning Showcase Coordinator, Sister Martha Ann Kirk kirk@uiwtx.edu or 210-883-5934 or the Service-Learning Committee Leaders, Dr. Lisa K. Lockhart lockhart@uiwtx.edu; Dr. Lorena D. Paul ldpaul@uiwtx.edu
In 2008, a new tradition of celebrating and showcasing academic accomplishments was established through Research Day. Over the years, it has evolved into a week-long event filled with multidisciplinary presentations, demonstrations and lectures. At the University of the Incarnate Word, we take pride in our research and know that through our search for and communication of truth, we become stronger in educating “concerned and enlightened citizens within the global community.”
All proceedings have been archived in The Athenaeum.
Contact Information
If you have questions or need assistance with preparation or submission, please contact the Office of Research and Graduate Studies at the following:
Phone: (210) 805-3555
Email: researchweek@uiwtx.edu