University Leadership
丝瓜AV's leadership is comprised of the President, the President's Cabinet and the Board of Trustees, which includes members of the Sisters of Divine Providence, the religious congregation that sponsors the university.
President and President's Cabinet
Abel Antonio Ch谩vez, MBA, PhD
President
Dr. Abel Antonio Ch谩vez is the 10th president of Our Lady of the Lake University (丝瓜AV).
He has energized the university by leading efforts to secure more than $31 million in donations and grants and raised its profile through extensive outreach with local, state and national leaders.
An integrative leader and learner, Dr. Ch谩vez has served in multiple roles in and beyond higher education. A civil and environmental engineer, he is a [...]
George A. Williams, Jr, PhD
Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff
Dr. George Williams serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at Our Lady of the Lake University (丝瓜AV), where he is dedicated to advancing the university鈥檚 mission through strategic leadership and operational excellence. Dr. Williams is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that supports both academic and student success.
In his role, Dr. Williams oversees key administrative functions [...]
Alan Silva, PhD
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Alan Silva serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Our Lady of the Lake University (丝瓜AV). With 25 years of experience in higher education, as a professor of English, associate dean, Dean of Arts and Sciences, and provost, Dr. Silva has a proven track record of providing students with excellent learning experiences, as well as research and scholarship opportunities in the Catholic intellectual and liberal arts traditions. [...]
Gloria Urrabazo, MA, MSW
Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Gloria Urrabazo serves as the Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Our Lady of the Lake University. She is dedicated to integrating the university鈥檚 mission across campus as part of the living legacy of the founders, the Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP). She works to provide opportunities for collaborative, strategic, and innovative engagement in living out the core values of the university. [...]
Jennifer Bendele, MEd
Vice President for Student Affairs
Jennifer Bendele serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Our Lady of the Lake University (丝瓜AV). With over 26 years of experience in higher education and 22 years at 丝瓜AV, she has shown to be a strong advocate for holistic student development connected to the university鈥檚 mission. As a proud first-generation college student, Mrs. Bendele believes every student鈥檚 journey is unique and takes pride in fostering an environment where students feel seen, heard, and supported in [...]
Tom Norris, MA
Athletic Director
Tom Norris serves as Director of Athletics at Our Lady of the Lake University (丝瓜AV), where he is dedicated to serving nearly 400 student-athletes and 40 coaches and staff members. Tom brings 12 years of athletic administration experience to 丝瓜AV and most recently served as the Director of Athletics at Indiana University Kokomo before making San Antonio and 丝瓜AV home.
In his role as athletic director, Tom has oversight over all athletic programs, [...]
Edith Cogdell, CPA, CGMA
Chief Financial Officer
Edie Cogdell serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Our Lady of the Lake University (丝瓜AV), where she is committed to building the financial strength of the university and supporting the university鈥檚 mission to provide a quality education for our students.
In her role, Edie is responsible for the fiscal management of the university, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, accounts payable, payroll, financial aid, and [...]
Teresa Ni帽o
Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Engagement
In addition to overseeing marketing and communications efforts on behalf of the university, Teresa Ni帽o also oversees government relations, alumni relations, and special events.
Ni帽o is a longtime San Antonian with more than three decades of proven success in government, public affairs, and community relations. [...]