Biography

Lloyd oversees media relations, news and information, social media and videography efforts for the University and the School of Law. She is also Executive Editor for the University’s Gold & Blue Magazine and the Gold & Blue Law Edition.

You can connect with her on LinkedIn, or submit a magazine or web story idea here. Members of the media may reach her at 210-431-4374 or jlloyd@stmarytx.edu.

Prior to joining St. Mary’s University in 2014, Lloyd covered higher education issues and scientific research as a journalist for the San Antonio Express-News. She joined the Express-News in 2008 to cover pop culture and young adult issues under the umbrella of the features section.

After transitioning to the metro section in 2009, she covered general assignments as well as San Antonio’s North Side and Comal County before joining the education team. She covered K-12 education, focusing on the city’s largest school districts, before moving into the higher education and scientific research beat.

Earlier in her career, she covered arts and nonprofits for the Victoria Advocate. Her work has also been featured in the Seattle Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Austin Monthly and many other publications.

She has taught journalism courses at the university level and gives back to her community through public service. She is a board member for the nonprofits Students of Service and the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival.

• Gold & Blue Magazine was honored with the Collegiate Advertising Award Gold Award in the category Publication External- Series two years in a row, February 2019 and March 2020, and the Silver Award in 2022.
• Honored with the American Marketing Association San Antonio Chapter’s 3rd Place Marketing Excellence Award in the category of Higher education/K-12 for St. Mary’s Law’s J.D. advertising campaign, June 2018
• Honored with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District IV’s Bronze Award in the category of Alumni Program for a Project or Special Event for the Gran Final of the Henry B. Gonzalez Centennial, March 2018
• Honored with the 2017 Collegiate Advertising Awards Gold Award in the Special Video Production – Series category for the St. Mary’s Law Recruiting Video Campaign, Feb. 12, 2018
• Honored with the 2017 Collegiate Advertising Awards Silver Award in the Publication External category for the inaugural Fall 2017 issue of the St. Mary’s University Gold & Blue Law Edition Magazine, Feb. 12, 2018
• Honored with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District IV Gold Award for the category Writing – Feature – More than 1,000 Words for the Gold & Blue Magazine article, “Entrepreneurs Abroad: St. Mary’s students travel to India to teach business development in Bangalore’s slums,” March 6, 2017
• Honored with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District IV Gold Award for Institutional Identity Program for overseeing the creation of School of Law’s Constitution Day Program, April 4, 2016
• Distinguished Graduate of the St. Mary’s Greehey MBA Program for Values-driven Leaders, December 2016
• Presented photos and experiences in India at the event, “Lunch and Learn with the Marianist Sisters in India,” March 29, 2016
• Member of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Career Advisory Council
• Honored with the Texas State Teachers Association’s School Bell Award for an “Outstanding Feature Story” for the back-to-school news feature “Teachers’ learning experience” published on Aug. 27, 2011
• Produced content for a San Antonio Express-News features publication blog focusing on the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which was recognized as one of the best blogs in the state by the Texas Press Association
• Presented research on the representation of immigration in the media at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Convention, 2007

Biography

Ms. Mery has worked at the Admissions Office of St. Mary’s School of Law for 29 years. As the Director of Student Enrollment she implements the Law School’s policies and procedures for admission and processes the application for the incoming class and transfer students. Ms. Mery oversees the student body including the Masters of Jurisprudence (M.Jur.), the Master of Laws (LL.M.), and the Jurist Doctorate (J.D.). She is responsible for organizing and executing course scheduling, managing online registration, and reporting statistics to the American Bar Association requiring proof of enrollment.

Biography

Olfers has worked at St. Mary’s University for more than 30 years. Prior to becoming Director of Student Records for the School of Law, she held various positions including assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School and assistant to the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences.

As the Director of Student Records, she ensures the integrity and maintenance of student academic records. Olfers also oversees test proctors during final exams and coordinates commencement eligibility and degree audits.

Biography

Amanda Rivas (J.D. ’09) started her legal career in a clinical fellowship program at her law school alma mater. In addition to practicing civil litigation, she co-taught the clinical seminars and supervised law students in the civil clinical course. During her fellowship, she was also charged with coordinating the Center for Legal and Social Justice’s Pro Bono Program and Border Outreach Program.

In 2018, she was named Director of the Externship program after serving as the Associate Director since the program’s formal launch in 2011. Each semester she prepares students for their semester-long learning experience. Rivas is the primary contact and part of the support system for supervising attorneys hosting Externs each semester. She works with them individually and provides regular CLE workshops focused on supervisor effectiveness, ethics, and supervision issues. Additionally, she conducts employer and community outreach to expand experiential opportunities for students through the program. She coordinates with the faculty director, Assistant Dean Karen Kelley, other faculty members, and the Office of Career Services to ensure the program’s continued growth and success.

Her love of teaching and passion for education started after college as a Teach For America Corps member teaching middle school in the Rio Grande Valley. She currently serves as an advisory board member for Teach For America San Antonio.

Presentations

• Navigating Crosscurrents: Challenges and Opportunities in Partnerships between Career Services and Externship Departments, Co-Presenter, NALP Annual Educational Conference, Chicago, Illinois, April 29, 2015
• Supervising the Millennial Generation: The Good, The Bad, and The Hopeful, Co-Presenter, Practice Credit Program Supervisor CLE, April 10, 2015
• Breaking it down: Effective Assignments, Discussion and Exercises, Co-Presenter, Fall 2014 Practice Credit Program Supervisor CLE
• What Makes a Good Mentor: Effective and Consistent Feedback, Discussion and Exercises, Co-Presenter, Spring 2014, Practice Credit Program Supervisor CLE
• Advertising and Selection Tips, Assignments: Long Term, Short Term and Routine, Co-Presenter, Fall 2013, Practice Credit Program Supervisor CLE
• Writing Feedback, Optimal Observations, and Five Minute Supervising Tips, Co-Presenter, Spring 2013 Practice Credit Program Supervisor CLE
• Tips for Mental Health Professionals Regarding Subpoenas, Court Testimony and Legal Liability, March 2012, Guest Speaker, St. Mary’s University Department of Counseling and Human Services
• Violence on the Border, Perseverance and Hope: Providing Help along the Border Guest Speaker, St. Mary’s University President’s Peace Commission Panel, Fall 2010