Our Lady of the Lake University to Appoint New Leader
The interim president will take office October 26, 2026, to address a 33% decline in student enrollment at the university.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in People
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Our Lady of the Lake University has appointed Brent Fields as interim president, effective October 26, 2026, as the institution navigates a significant period of institutional transition. Fields takes the helm following the resignation of former president Abel Chávez, tasked with addressing declining enrollment and long-term financial stability.
Why it matters
The leadership change arrives as the university attempts to reverse a sharp 33% decline in student enrollment since 2022. Operators should monitor how this new administration approaches the ongoing program and faculty evaluations that began earlier in 2025.
University enrollment has fallen by 33% overall since 2022, with specific drops of 38% in online programs and 49% at the Rio Grande Valley campus. The institution continues to undergo evaluations following program and faculty cuts initiated in the spring 2025 semester.
The players
Brent Fields
The incoming interim president of Our Lady of the Lake University and a former CEO of Morgan's Enterprises.
Abel Chávez
The former president of Our Lady of the Lake University who served from 2022 to 2026.
Our Lady of the Lake University
A San Antonio-based private institution currently facing significant enrollment and financial restructuring.
The details
Brent Fields, a former CEO of Morgan's Enterprises, will focus on stabilizing the university's operations as it grapples with distributed campus performance. The school board is concurrently launching a national search for a permanent successor to oversee institutional priorities. Success will hinge on Fields' ability to manage the financial sustainability of ongoing programs while addressing the sharp enrollment declines seen across the Houston and Rio Grande Valley satellite locations.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Brent Fields assumes the role of interim president.
Spring 2025: The university announced program and faculty cuts.
Fall 2022: Total enrollment was 2,326 students.
Market Landscape
The university's leadership transition aligns with the 2025 trend of private university financial restructuring and consolidation observed across regional institutions. This shift marks a direct attempt to stabilize an organization struggling with multi-campus operational viability.
Operators in the education and service sectors should track the university's upcoming program evaluations, as these indicate likely shifts in vendor needs and local workforce training partnerships. Pay attention to how the new interim leadership recalibrates cost structures across the Houston and Rio Grande Valley locations.
The takeaway
Financial stability will depend on whether Fields can consolidate the institution's offerings to match current enrollment levels. Monitor the university's official updates regarding ongoing program assessments to determine if future partnerships with local businesses will remain viable.
Further reading
For broader context on regional leadership shifts, explore People.
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Do you trust local universities to maintain institutional stability despite declining enrollment numbers?
