UIW 2024 System-Wide Symposium

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

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
  • Presentation and Plática: “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 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. UIW Communication Arts students Eileen Munoz, Janelle De Jesus and Madison Campbell will join Dr. Reyes as co-presenters.
  • Presentation: “Transversing the Borderlands: 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, with Evan Santos, UIW MBA student.
  • 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, with UIW students Julián Ceniceros and Mercedes Rodríguez, and UIW alumna Natalia López
  • 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

  • Presentation: “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
  • Presentation: “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; Dr. Lisa R. McDougle, Assistant Dean for Academic Success and Student Affairs; and Dr. Sara Marie Berrett, University of Incarnate Word Sports Resident Physical Therapist
  • Presentation: “Empoderando el Futuro: Hispanic Undergraduate Students in STEM” – Dr. Ana Vallor, Associate Professor of Biology, UIW School of Math, Science and Engineering, with UIW students Brianna R. Brooks Medina, Nathan D. Smith, Desiree L. Dennis and Nhi T. Le
  • 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

  • Presentation: “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
  • Presentation: “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
  • Presentation: “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 - Introductory comments - Teófilo Reyes, Assistant Director of Leadership and Global Engagement, Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability
  • 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. Ms. Shipley will moderate and participate in the discussion with the following panelists:
    • Michelle Casares Vásquez, PhD Student, Digital Experience Strategy Manager, UIW
    • Ana Islas, UIW Alumni
    • Gloria Ramos, Director of University Advisory Center, UIW
    • Margaret García, Associate Vice President of Communications and Brand Marketing, UIW
  • Symposium Closing Comments and Acknowledgements - Dr. Rafael Hoyle, Director, Lewis Center of the Americas.  

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