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With a Hispanic student population of 47 percent, ����̽�� is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the Department Of Education. 
 

Religious Diversity

����̽�� is one of 28 colleges and universities associated with the (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. A key part of the ELCA mission is to “seek the common good for society, provide moral vision and [address] social and cultural injustices and issues.” The Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU) applies this mission in a common calling, that we are “called and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish” in a multi-faith society and on multi-faith campuses. ����̽�� affirms the shared commitments of NECU schools in “cultivating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and valued” and people receive “the specific resources and support they need to thrive, based on their unique circumstances” as we create “environments where fairness, equity, and compassion are at the core of community life.”

����̽�� students, faculty, and staff have a wide variety of religious identities, including no religion at all. We welcome this pluralism and the shared dialogues it sparks.

We do not require a faith commitment of any kind, for any member of our community.

Some self-reported religious identification percentages for the total student body, fall 2024:

· Catholic 18% · Baptist 10% · Lutheran 8%

Chapel services on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays provide opportunities for prayer, community, and spiritual growth. These are purely voluntary and incorporate worship practices from many Christian traditions. As part of the general education curriculum, students take at least one course in theology so as to cultivate informed reflection on faith and its relation to the contemporary world.

First-Generation Forward

����̽�� defines a first-generation college student as an individual whose parents or legal guardian have not completed a bachelor's degree but may have some college experience.

First generation college students make up 43% of our student body and is a claimed identity of many of our faculty and staff, including President Cottrell and other senior leadership. We celebrate the courage, perseverance, and hard work of our first-generation college students as they write a new chapter in their families’ histories.

In 2020 ����̽�� was recognized as a First Gen Forward institution. As a member of the First Gen Forward Network, we join a national consortium of institutions focused on advancing the success of first-generation students. Involvement with First Gen Forward keeps ����̽�� professionals informed on current research on first-generation college students and focused on how to build more inclusive experiences that emphasize students’ belonging.
From the first semester to the last, we look to build community among first generation students through a variety of programs from their official pinning ceremony, mixers connecting students to faculty, staff, and a variety of campus resources, to First Gen Graduation where they receive their first gen stole.

Veterans

As a university close to San Antonio, dubbed Military City, USA, ����̽�� has several students, faculty, and staff with military backgrounds who have shaped our campus. Texas Lutheran has several areas that collaborate to support our veteran and dependent student population. Our Registration & Records Office houses the VA Certification Officer.

Student Affairs oversees Freedom Hall, a lounge space reserved for veterans and dependents. Our Veteran Services Assistant utilizes Freedom Hall to host programs that connect students to local resources, in addition to collaborating with campus departments to provide workshops on topics such as mental health and career development. Veterans and Society Together is an active student organization with the mission of providing a positive setting for veterans and dependents, and an outlet for non-military faculty, staff, and students to support those who have served and who are still serving.

LGBTQIA Plus Resources

LGBTQIA Plus Resources ����̽�� is committed to maintaining an open, safe, and supportive environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + (LGBTQ+) students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the campus community. For more information, see our LGBTQIA Plus Resources page.

Service Learning & Volunteering

����̽�� is dedicated to civic engagement; the action to meet the basic needs of a community. ����̽�� graduates are empowered to collaborate for positive social change, both as local leaders and global citizens. Find out more about ����̽��’s work with Service Learning & Volunteering.
 

Student Engagement

����̽�� encourages student involvement through a wide variety of organizations, events, activities, workshops, seminars, and structured experiences that promote personal learning and growth in a student-centered environment. Discover more about ����̽�� Student Engagement

Counseling Services

The Counseling Center at ����̽�� recognizes the critical role that identity plays in one’s mental health and overall wellness. We know that bias and discrimination have significant consequences on marginalized communities and the individuals within them. This may impact an individual’s sense of safety, self-image, connections, and ability or willingness to receive care. We are committed to helping students navigate challenges related to mental health while honoring their identity and cultural context. We offer free and confidential services to all registered ����̽�� students. We also connect students with free telehealth services that allow them to choose a provider who has a specialization or identity that best meets their needs. For additional information about counseling services or accommodations, please email Sarah Westerfield, LPC-S or call 830-372-8009.

Celebrating Community and Cultures

����̽�� honors the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our community members with celebrations throughout the year.

For more information: