Transfer Student Profiles
Jake Ledesma
Current 天美影院Social Work Student, Psychology Minor
Transfer from Palo Alto College
When Jake Ledesma looks at the distinguished alumni and professors of OLLU, he sees
people like himself.
鈥溙烀烙霸篿s reshaping my perception by allowing me to look up to these leaders and see that they look like me. They talk Spanish; they understand the Hispanic/Latinx culture and make me feel as if I can reach my fullest potential,鈥� says Jake 鈥淚t is a diverse leadership panel mixed with different races, genders and cultures. This education is the most important because I will be able to work with a diverse population. After all, I am being taught by diversity, which is an accurate representation of my community.鈥�
Jake selected 天美影院because of the outstanding social work program.
鈥淥ur Lady of the Lake University is teaching me my future practice. The diverse faculty brings a unique perspective of the field. Each is highlighting their way of how they work in their area. Policymakers, change-makers, activists, doctors, social workers, psychologists, statisticians, and many more have all played an integral role in the shaping of the curriculum with which I am being gifted,鈥� says Jake.
The beautiful and historic buildings of 天美影院are another attraction for Jake.
鈥淚 like the history and architecture. This is a crucial characteristic to discuss because the environment is so inspiring, calming and vibrant. When I walk down the halls of the Main Building, I see the floors that are older than me. I think about the leaders who have walked on these same beautiful floors. When I walk up the stairs and touch wood handrails and smell the wood, it wakes me up and calms me as I walk to class. The beautiful architecture is a symbol of what we can create with our thoughts.鈥�
Shariany Rodriguez
2019 天美影院Social Work Graduate
Transfer from Northwest Vista College
After completing an associate鈥檚 degree at Northwest Vista College, Shariany Rodriguez
made the move to 天美影院to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work. 鈥淚 liked the
environment, the class sizes, that it is a Catholic university, and the library,鈥�
says Shariany. The May 2019 graduate says she received support from throughout the
university to reach her educational goals.
鈥溙烀烙霸篽elped me by always being supportive, from the advisers, to University Chaplain Father Kevin, and all my professors,鈥� she says.
Shariany is now putting her Northwest Vista and 天美影院education to work. She is a mental health provider for San Antonio youth in foster care and probation.
Jose Neri
Current 天美影院Interdisciplinary Studies Major pursuing certification in EC-6 ESL, Mathematics
Minor
Transfer from St. Phillip鈥檚 College
After completing an associate鈥檚 degree at St. Philip鈥檚 College, Jose Neri transferred
to 天美影院in his pursuit to become an elementary school teacher. After researching universities,
OLLU鈥檚 partnership with Raise Your Hand Texas for the Raising Texas Teachers program
solidified his decision.
In addition to the Raising Texas Teachers scholarship, Jose has benefited from Endowed Scholarships and the Wings Up Summer Tuition Grant, which allows juniors and seniors to take tuition-free summer courses.
Jose notes that the personal connections he has developed with faculty and the experiential learning in his courses have been critical to his success. 鈥淚 like that I was able to begin getting experience as soon as I started classes at OLLU,鈥� says Jose, noting that his observation courses began as soon as he transferred to 天美影院in fall 2018. 鈥淏eing out in the field early allows us to build connections with potential employers.鈥�
At OLLU, Jose found the campus environment and the ability to express his spirituality especially welcoming.