Her Story
About Guadalupe
Guadalupe Marquez is the Director of the Compliance Program and Title IX Coordinator at Our Lady of the Lake University, a private Catholic institution in San Antonio, Texas. She brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education compliance and civil rights advocacy, beginning with 18 years advocating for students with disabilities through the protection and advocacy system at Disability Rights California and Disability Rights Texas before transitioning into institutional roles. Marquez holds a PhD and MBA in Leadership earned in 2024, a Master's in Legal Studies from 2020, and a bachelor's degree from California State University Northridge awarded in 2008, with additional undergraduate studies at UC Santa Barbara in pre-law and a master's from Trinity University. Her work focuses on ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, particularly civil rights and Title IX, while managing institutional risk and supporting marginalized communities. She attributes her success to her ancestors and cultural history, values trust, honesty, transparency, and authentic leadership with clear intent, and advises young women entering the field to persist without limits and connect with other women leaders enabled by laws such as Title IX.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Guadalupe
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say to my ancestors. We've come a long way, and in history and time, and I am always amazed to learn about my culture, my history, and I always strive to make them proud. And so I put my ancestors first and foremost, and I always picture them leading me into spaces where I walk into.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A professor in undergrad who had PhD and JD encouraged looking at literature through the lens of law and what laws were taking place during that time. That stuck with me and shaped how I view the world and legal structures.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't stop, keep going, there's no limit, and reach out to all these beautiful voices of women that are coming forward and have these platforms now because of achievable laws like Title IX. Reach out to those women, trust them, and reach out to me if you need to.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges are the landscape always changes with new administrations implementing changes that are harder for institutions to keep up with. Higher education is facing financial crisis and budget cuts, finding ways around obstacles is difficult but not impossible.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Trust in the community I work with and live with. Honesty and transparency. Being authentic with intent, as intent comes out. Authentic leadership to gain trust and help people reach achievable goals without limiting them.
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