NVC Students Earn Top Spot in 2025 iNaturalist Campus Nature Challenge Thanks to their dedication and keen observation skills, NVC students have come out on top in this year’s iNaturalist Campus Nature Challenge. iNaturalist is an online social network of individuals who share biodiversity information. The nonprofit organization helps people identify the plants and animals in their community while generating data for science and conservation. NVC Assistant Professor of Biology, Jose L. Egremy, enrolled more than 50 students in this project which took place April 25 through April 28. Participants were instructed to observe and record the nature around them, and NVC students were more than up for the challenge which consisted of two categories: the Campus Nature Challenge and the City Nature Challenge. In the Campus Nature Challenge, NVC beat other participating campuses in the San Antonio metro area by making 4,753 observations compared to 3,162 observations made by St. Mary’s University students, and 1,867 at Trinity University. “My students were stellar and superb ambassadors for San Antonio and absolutely represented our campus with impressive numbers of documented observations,” said Egremy. “One student contributed 701 observations with a total of 399 species, and another student uploaded 591 observations and recorded 281 species.” Observers from all over the world participated in the 2025 City Nature Challenge. While San Antonio finished second behind the city of La Paz in Bolivia, Egremy said that for three of the four days of the challenge, San Antonio was No.1 in the world. However, San Antonio did rank as the best city in America.

The first time Onesty Hamilton enrolled in San Antonio College’s First Responders Academy, she failed out of the program a month before graduation. She had been trying to complete the academy part-time, while still working as a correctional officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It was her experience working with inmates at the prison that inspired her to seek out a new career in the first place. “You get a feel of how it is once they’re already in,” she said, “but I wanted to see what it was like before they get in.” Hamilton wondered what kind of interactions they had with law enforcement before they were incarcerated. “Can you make a difference and turn them on a different path?” she thought to herself. She sought out a program that could train her for a new role in law enforcement, and found the First Responders Academy. She signed up for the 9-month part-time program, and soon after found out about another opportunity: San Antonio’s Ready to Work financial assistance. She received a full scholarship. But when Hamilton failed her coursework, the situation became more complicated. She contacted her Ready to Work case manager, explaining that she wanted to try the program again, full-time, but needed continued financial support. There was money left over from her original scholarship, so Hamilton was able to receive the funds on the condition that she complete the course this time. Still, there were challenges. Hamilton realized she couldn’t balance full-time work—or, she discovered, even part-time work—alongside the full-time academy, and had to give up working so she could focus and make sure she passed.  This, of course, presented another financial obstacle. Even with the scholarship, and a supportive husband, who worked hard to make sure she was able to focus on her career journey, Hamilton said her bills were still piling up. Again, Hamilton turned to her Ready to Work case manager, who connected her to the resources she needed. Between Ready to Work and the Student Advocacy Center on campus, she received gas cards, as well as money for food and other bills. Hamilton credits these two programs with allowing her to stay focused in class, and receive the support she needed without having to rely on outside agencies. Fully immersed in the academy, Hamilton learned a wide range of things that she felt would enable her to keep her community safe. The highlight of the course for her was a crisis intervention training, where she learned to effectively communicate with someone during a high-stress situation.  All the while, Hamilton was applying to police departments where she might work after graduation, with the hope that one would sponsor and pay her during the academy. She applied to a few departments, but didn’t get any leads. “That’s not where I was destined to be,” she said. When the Alamo Colleges District Police Department recruited her, she decided to give it a shot and apply. She was impressed that, throughout the whole application process, they kept in touch with her frequently. She felt she wasn’t just another number to them. Hamilton graduated from the academy in December, and started her new role as an officer at the ACPD in January. She’s working toward her original goal of keeping people out of the prison system, but she recognizes it will be a long journey but realizes she "won’t be able to save everybody.”  In the meantime, she’s become involved in recruiting the next generation. “I just want to share my experience, share my story,” she said.  She’s also a strong advocate for taking advantage of the financial assistance available across the Alamo Colleges. “Use the resources. Don’t be too proud,” she said. Whether it was help with food, bills or even mental counseling, Hamilton said she would not have made it through the academy without the support from those resources and her family.

As a high school student, Yarexy Hernandez discovered her passion for math, science, and criminology. Encouraged by her mother’s advice to “dream big,” Yarexy set her sights high and hoped to one day make a meaningful impact as a forensic pathologist for the FBI. Although her future was clear, she knew she’d need the right support to get there. That support came in the form of AlamoPROMISE, a program that covers 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students across the Alamo Colleges District. When Yarexy learned she qualified, it opened a door to a future she once thought was out of reach. Drawn to the welcoming environment and supportive faculty at Northwest Vista College (NVC), she enrolled in the Associate of Science in Biology program. Today, Yarexy maintains an impressive 3.5 GPA and considers NVC a second home. “AlamoPROMISE gave me the chance to take a bold step toward my future. Coming…to Northwest Vista College…was a big transition, but the support, environment, and opportunities made it possible. As a first-generation college student, this program helped me find a job on campus, build a community and gain the confidence to pursue my dreams of becoming a forensic pathologist for the FBI,” said Yarexy. Beyond academics, Yarexy enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering at the San Antonio Humane Society and is deeply passionate about health and wellness. She also works on campus with the Career Services team, a position made possible through AlamoPROMISE. She considers her experience with Career Services as one of the most impactful parts of her journey. “Their support, encouragement, and guidance have been life changing. They’ve helped me explore possibilities I’ve never imagined and have made me feel heard, seen, and supported every step of the way,” said Yarexy. Her outstanding academic achievements and commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed. During the April 2025 Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees meeting, Yarexy was named the AlamoPROMISE student of the month. When receiving her award, she credited NVC and the AlamoPROMISE program for helping her to achieve her dream. “Thank you for building pathways where none existed before and thank you for being the reason so many of us now have the confidence to chase our teams. This is just the beginning and thanks to your support, I step into the future with confidence and purpose,” said Yarexy. After graduation, Yarexy plans to transfer to Sam Houston State University to continue working towards her goal of becoming a forensic pathologist. With the support she’s received from NVC and AlamoPROMISE, she feels prepared to reach her goals.

April marks an exciting month for music events at Northwest Vista College, showcasing various programs including the talent of student singers who recently participated in the spring auditions of the prestigious South Texas Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Ten NVC singers, guided by NVC’s Associate Professor Dr. Minkyung Lee, traveled to Texas State University in San Marcos to compete in the auditions on April 5. Dr. Lee said the NVC singers stood out among more than 300 competitors. “NVC student singers demonstrated remarkable skills and an inspiring commitment to excellence,” she added Their preparation included impressive scores by Delayna Gonzales, Tony Estrada, Elena Duran, and Olga Reyes, reflecting the depth of their dedication. Two NVC students, Mia Corvera Ocampo and Michaela Alvarado, achieved finalist status in the Lower College Musical Theatre Division. NVC students placed as finalists and semi-finalists as follows: Michaela Alvarado: 2nd place in Lower College Musical Theater Women Mia Corvera Ocampo: 3rd place in Lower College Musical Theater Women Reveka Ranzas: Semi-Finalist in Lower College Musical Theater Women Christian Williams: Semi-Finalist in Upper College Musical Theatre Men Andrea Islas: Semi-Finalist in the Adult Musical Theatre Jess Martinez: Semi-Finalist in the Adult Musical Theatre Throughout the preparation process for these performances, Dr. Eunjoo Fierro devoted significant time to rehearsals, score analysis, and sharing valuable insights with NVC student singers to help them shine on stage. “We are deeply grateful to our supporters, including our fantastic Fine and Performing Arts & Kinesiology Chair Rachael Bower and our music faculty Daniel Smith and Dr. Jihee Han, who provided invaluable support to the singers,” said Dr. Lee. “These accomplishments reflect the exceptional talent nurtured at NVC.”

At a special meeting held on April 22, 2025, the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees selected San Antonio College (SAC) student Josiah Rodriguez as the new student trustee.  Rodriguez will serve a one-year term from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. In 2014, the Alamo Colleges District was the first community college system in Texas to appoint a student trustee.  “We extend our gratitude to Logan Martinez, our outgoing student trustee, and outgoing student trustee alternate, Eliron Rosin, for their exceptional service in representing the Alamo Colleges at the state and national level,” said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor. “We look forward to the insight and contributions that our new student representatives will make to our board.”  Rodriguez is a San Antonio native participating in the political science program at SAC with a 4.0 GPA. He plans to transfer to the University of Texas at San Antonio to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree.  After graduating from high school, Rodriguez made the difficult decision to delay his education and instead enter the workforce to help support his mother and siblings. During this time, he began attending city council meetings, where he discovered a love for civic engagement and a motivation to help build a more equitable city. Rodriguez knew he needed to pursue higher education in order to help drive meaningful change in his community.  At SAC, Rodriguez is actively involved in campus organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa, the Honors Academy, the Student Government Association, and serves as President of First Gen. These roles allow him to advocate for students facing challenges related to housing, transportation, and food insecurity, barriers he also has experienced.  Rodriguez has seen firsthand how access to affordable education can transform lives. Inspired by his journey, Rodriguez's mother earned her GED through the Ready to Work program and plans to attend SAC this fall.  Outside the classroom, Rodriguez gives back to the city he loves by working as a substitute teacher, speaking at public hearings at City Hall and volunteering with community organizations like Strong Towns and River Aid San Antonio. “In May, he will begin an internship with Texas State Representative Diego Bernal, where he hopes to deepen his understanding of public service and policymaking. Looking ahead, Rodriguez is committed to championing greater opportunities and eliminating systemic barriers for San Antonio residents. As a student trustee for the Alamo Colleges District, he is dedicated to helping fellow students overcome obstacles to higher education, fostering collaboration across campuses, and supporting the leadership development of the next generation of changemakers.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE San Antonio - Northwest Vista College (NVC) is proud to announce its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of serving the San Antonio community with accessible, high-quality education and fostering student success. This milestone year is further elevated by the college's distinguished recognition as a finalist for the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence by the Aspen Institute for the second consecutive year. This places NVC in the top 1% of community colleges in the United States. This achievement recognizes community colleges for significant and rapid improvement in student success, certificate and degree completion, transfer, and degree attainment. It is awarded every two years. There are more than 1,000 community colleges in the U.S., impacting 12 million students. "Reaching our 30th anniversary while once again being recognized as an Aspen Prize finalist is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, students, and community partners," said Dr. Amy Bosley, President of Northwest Vista College. "For three decades, NVC has been a cornerstone of opportunity in San Antonio, and this continued national recognition validates our commitment to student success." The Alamo Colleges District has a legacy of being recognized by the Aspen Institute. For the fourth consecutive time, Northwest Vista College was invited to compete at the national level for this prestigious award. San Antonio College earned the coveted Aspen Prize in 2021, while Palo Alto College was awarded a Rising Star in the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. “As Northwest Vista College marks its 30th anniversary, the entire Alamo Colleges District family celebrates this remarkable achievement that places NVC among the top 1% of community colleges nationwide,” said Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores. “This recognition reflects the extraordinary talent of our faculty and staff, the success of our students, and our shared commitment to putting students first. It’s a powerful affirmation of the transformative role community colleges play in building brighter futures and another milestone in our moonshot to end poverty through education and training.” An expert data panel guided the Aspen Institute in crafting a formula assessing key areas such as retention, completion, and equity. Based on that formula, 150 top community colleges were invited to apply. A selection committee reviewed the submitted applications and chose 20 semifinalists, followed by the announcement of the Top 10 finalists. Adding to this momentous period for the college, NVC will celebrate another significant achievement on May 22nd, as over 2,000 students graduate at the Alamodome. "Over the past 30 years, Northwest Vista College has focused on creating opportunities for success and we are most proud of the individual and collective achievements of our students, whose journeys inspire us daily,” said Dr. Bosley. “As an Aspen Prize Finalist, Northwest Vista College remains dedicated to empowering students to achieve their full potential and shape their own bright future." Table - Celebrate 30 - Video and Image