Northwest Vista College's Psi Beta National Honor Society has been recognized on the national stage, earning both a first-place Community Service Award and a Chapter Excellence Award from the national Psi Beta organization. The double recognition highlights the chapter's dedication and hard work throughout the past academic year. Psi Beta is a prestigious national honor society for students at two-year colleges who are majoring or minoring in psychology. With over 140 chapters and more than 50,000 members, the organization celebrates academic achievement and community engagement. This is the sixth consecutive Chapter Excellence Award for the NVC chapter, a testament to its consistent dedication. A Year of Impactful Service The members of NVC's Psi Beta chapter were incredibly active, making a significant impact both on and off campus. Their volunteer efforts were diverse and far-reaching: ·Community Engagement: Members participated in NVC Involvement Fairs and helped serve meals at the San Antonio State Hospital’s (SASH) annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. They also facilitated social activities for patients through a SASH Adopt-a-Unit event and assisted with campus beautification during the spring day of service. Mental Health Advocacy: The chapter volunteered at the "Out of the Darkness Walk," a key event hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, demonstrating their commitment to mental health awareness. Environmental Stewardship: The students continue to maintain their adopted section of North Ellison Road, committing to regular clean-up efforts to help keep the community tidy. Amanda Squires, NVC Assistant Professor of Psychology and advisor to the Psi Beta chapter, praised her students' commitment, saying, "I am incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and dedication. Their passion for both academics and community service is what makes this chapter so successful." To learn more about the Psi Beta chapter at NVC or to explore other student clubs and organizations, visit the Northwest Vista College website at Alamo.edu/nvc/Experience-NVC/Campus-Life/Student-Life

Recently, 30 motivated high school students from Boerne ISD earned their Occupational Skills Award (OSA). This significant academic achievement puts them on a fast track to a career in the high-demand field of cybersecurity. By completing dual credit courses and specialized technical training at Northwest Vista College (NVC), these students are already gaining the skills needed to succeed in a growing industry, all before they even graduate high school. The students - part of the P-TECH Early College program between NVC and Boerne ISD - were celebrated at a recognition ceremony attended by their families, faculty, and Boerne district officials, along with NVC President Dr. Amy Bosley. The event also served as a new student orientation, where incoming freshmen and their families witnessed what they can achieve through the program. P-TECH allows students an opportunity to receive both a high school diploma and a credential and/or an associate degree. The OSA is the first step toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. It gives students a valuable head start in their college and career journey. An additional 12 students are expected to complete their OSA by Spring 2026, further strengthening the talent pipeline for the cybersecurity industry. This upcoming spring will be a special moment for the program, as the inaugural cohort of high school students will graduate with both their associate degrees and industry certifications. In the spring of 2025, Annabella Parker and Irvin Jace Smith, former dual credit students from Boerne’s Champions High, graduated from high school and earned their associate degrees from Northwest Vista College at the same time. Omar Chavira, NVC College Coordinator of High School Programs, said that by earning industry-relevant certifications and a high school and associate degrees, students gain a critical head start in the workforce. “This opens doors to high-demand careers in cybersecurity and gives them a strong foundation for further education or immediate employment after graduation,” he added. “I'm incredibly proud to work alongside these dedicated students. At Northwest Vista College, we are here to change lives, create opportunity, and provide access for all students!"

Northwest Vista College is marking its 30th anniversary this year so we’ve decided to reconnect with a few of our graduates to learn what earning a degree from NVC has meant for their lives and careers. Among those graduates is Brandy Barksdale, who received an Associate of Arts in Business Administration in 2009. She continued her education at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities in 2012 and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration in 2014. Barksdale said the supportive environment at NVC, and the dedicated faculty inspired her to pursue further education and leadership roles. “The experience shaped my values and commitment to student success, which continues to guide my work today.” The San Antonio native said Northwest Vista College provided a strong academic foundation that helped her develop the critical thinking and communication skills that she utilizes in her current job as the associate director for Student Success Programs at UTSA. As associate director, Barksdale supervises teams that work with students who have recently been dismissed and reinstated. She also oversees programs that help students who are conditionally admitted to UTSA as well as those on academic probation. During her 12 years at UTSA, she has worked for Student Success also serving as an academic advisor. Barksdale’s career choice is no coincidence; as an undergrad she had initially wanted to pursue a medical career but changed her mind after seeing the positive impact that Student Success had on students’ academic journey. Barksdale believes that her time as a NVC Wildcat has made it easier for her to assist transfer students from NVC. “When I was an advisor, I would know what classes they would need, and what their experience would be like and share my experience when there were no buildings at Vista, only portables,” said Barksdale. “I remember the beginning stages of the building up of the campus and well before the amazing water features.” Over the years, Barksdale has visited NVC for professional functions and said she has enjoyed seeing the growth of the campus as well as the success of the students. Her advice to current students is to take advantage of every opportunity to gain real-world experience, including short-term internships or volunteer roles. She also thinks it’s important for them to remember that everyone’s journey is different. “I tell my students everyone’s journey ends up in the same pot of gold, but your color may be different on the rainbow,” said Barksdale. “So, choose your color, ride your journey, and empower yourself to know that it’s yours and be your own self-author.” VISIT NVC'S 30 YEAR CELEBRATION WEBPAGE

At the Silver-Certified Caring Campus level the organization has put in place institutionalization of caring campus commitments and sustainability processes. The award recognizes NLC for implementing outstanding Caring Campus measures and the institution’s faculty and/or staff and leadership demonstrate active adoption and participation in Caring Campus initiatives. “We are honored to receive this recognition,” says Dr. Veronica Garcia, NLC President. “I want to recognize our faculty and staff for their dedication to creating a welcoming and engaging learning environment for our students where they feel a sense of belonging, ultimately leading to increased student success.” The Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC) developed Caring Campus as an intentional way to augment our shared mission of improving and increasing student success. Caring Campus accomplishes this by creating a campus culture in which everyone—students, staff, faculty, and leadership—feels cared for and connected. The Caring Campus Certification program exists for several reasons. First and foremost, it is intended to keep Caring Campus front and center at the institutional level as a way to support the program’s institutionalization and sustainability. Second, the certification categories and criteria are meant to inspire all Caring Campuses by suggesting avenues for increasing the scope of their Caring Campus implementations. Finally, the certification process can help a college or university understand how Caring Campus is currently integrated into the life of their campus community.

Northwest Vista College's Career Experience team recently hosted and organized a Work-Study Connection Fair to help students secure on-campus employment that aligns with their academic and professional goals. The event, held at the Desert Willow Welcome Center, aimed to streamline the process for students interested in the Federal Work-Study program, a financial aid program that offers part-time jobs to eligible students. Corena Nash, NVC Career Experience Team Lead, said, "For many of our students, this experience represents their first opportunity to participate in an interview, secure a job, and begin developing transferable skills that will support their future career growth. We are excited to support their development and success in these roles." The fair, which was in partnership with Financial Aid and Human Resources, provided a one-stop shop for students to get personalized guidance on the work-study application process, review their financial aid packages, and explore available job openings. According to Eva T. Gaitan, Associate Director for Student Financial Aid, Federal Work Study for the Alamo Colleges District, Northwest Vista College has a total of 101 on-campus work-study positions allotted for 2025-2026 academic year. “About 40-50 placements are open and specifically available for new students looking for employment this academic year,” said Gaitan. “The other positions are those held by our returning students already placed in job positions across the college,” she added. During the fair, students also had an opportunity to change employment to another department. “Northwest Vista College is committed to helping students find meaningful work that not only helps them pay for school but also provides valuable professional experience,” said Cameron Schmoker, NVC’s Lead Financial Aid Advisor. “The Work-Study Connection Fair connects students with various departments across campus, offering a range of positions to match their skills and interests,” he added. Two more Work-Study Connection Fairs will be held in September on the following days: Thursday, September 4: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 10: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

When Matthew Gillette, Director of Athletics at Palo Alto College, talks about his athletes, it’s never just about the scoreboard. For him, sports have always been a vehicle for something bigger: leadership, teamwork, accountability, and opportunity. This belief brought him to Palo Alto College just over a year ago. Gillette’s path to higher education began on the court, when he earned a spot on the basketball team at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. “One of the reasons I even decided to go to college was because I got an offer to play basketball,” Gillette recalls. “Once I was there, I fell in love with the whole college experience and the idea that sports could be bigger than just wins and losses.” While earning his degree, he discovered a passion for athletics administration through serving on the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. This led him to roles in admissions and athletics at Baylor University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and his alma mater. Along the way, he even founded an esports program. When the Athletics Director role opened at PAC, the timing was perfect. “ PAC kind of called out to me,” shared Gillette. “ My wife and I were expecting our twin daughters around that time, and she's from the area. I'd heard nothing but great things about the Alamo colleges, and it seemed like a good fit, where I could give students in this area the same chance I had to use sports as a pathway to an education and a career.” When Gillette arrived, PAC’s Athletics Department was still recovering from the pandemic. Facilities were limited, the auditorium was closed, and participation had taken a hit. But he saw an opportunity. His vision? “We're trying to make our club sports here at PAC feel as close to intercollegiate athletics as possible,” shared Matt. “That's not just the games, it's the stuff like study hall hours, prioritizing education, getting a meaningful career, joining the military, or going to a four-year school afterwards. It’s about how we use student involvement to help them in the future.” At first, the higher expectations were a shock to some athletes. But by the end of the first semester, GPAs were up with an average GPA above 3.0, graduation pathways were stronger, and students were seeing the benefits. “Now it’s just the standard. They understand it, they get it, and they know what they stand for,” he says. The results speak for themselves. In spring 2025, the men’s basketball team brought home the TCAC championship for the first time in more than 15 years. Gillette credits that success to the work his athletes put in off the court. “Winning takes care of itself when you do your best and do everything you possibly can in all aspects of your life. Winning is just a product of that excellence,” Gillette shared. His work is not stopping there. Recognizing the community’s need for more baseball opportunities, Gillette revived PAC’s baseball program, filling the roster with 30+ athletes in just weeks. Through partnerships with the City of San Antonio and local organizations like Five Diamonds Baseball Academy, the team has secured facilities, hosted free youth clinics, and created new pathways for local athletes. While PAC’s four teams may total nearly 100 athletes, Gillette insists his work is about all 13,000 students on campus. From intramurals to the new fitness center, he’s creating a student experience where everyone feels like they belong. “Just because we're not a city as big as Houston, or have the infrastructure or the wealth like Austin or the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area. That doesn't mean that the students here don't matter or belong, or have something more to give to the world.”  With the new multi-generational gymnasium on the horizon and talks of expanding sports offerings, Gillette sees PAC athletics playing an even larger role in the community. “I really want to use athletics as a way to increase involvement, increase community awareness, and ensure that these community members in South San Antonio have a home at Palo Alto College.” As you can see, at the heart of it all is a family-first mindset, both in his personal life as a husband and father, and in how he leads. “Changing one student’s life can change the lives of their whole family,” Gillette says. “That’s what makes PAC special. We’re all focused on bettering people, building community, and creating opportunity.” Whether it’s building championship teams, raising the bar academically, or creating new opportunities for student-athletes, Gillette and his team are proving that athletics at Palo Alto College is about so much more than just the game. To learn more about PAC Athletics or find ways to support the program, visit alamo.edu/pac/athletics.