(SAN ANTONIO, Texas) – Jan. 28, 2025 – The Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees has called for a $987 million bond to acquire, improve, construct, equip, and renovate facilities and sites throughout the District. 'This bond will appear on the May 3, 2025, election ballot and is intended to address the region's growing educational and workforce demands. Following the planning and recommendations of the Citizen’s Bond Advisory Committee, the board called for the bond election during its meeting on Jan. 28, 2025.  Details of the bond include the following preliminary allocations: $535 million for new programs and facilities expansion. $247 million for infrastructure improvements. $205 million for multi-sector investments in areas such as engineering, healthcare, IT and cybersecurity, emerging technologies, applied technology and construction trades, automotive technology, and transportation. Bexar County's population projections show an expected rise of over 29%, reaching nearly 2.5 million residents by 2040. Surrounding counties are also anticipated to experience significant growth during this period. If voters approve the bond at the May 3, 2025, election, the Alamo Colleges District anticipates issuing the voter-approved bonds in multiple installments over several years, projected to result in no tax rate increase for Alamo Colleges District taxpayers. Election Day is May 3, 2025. Early voting will run from Tuesday, April 22, 2025, through Tuesday, April 29, 2025. View CIP Bond Page

Blessing of the Peacemakers 2025 Northwest Vista College (NVC) hosted the 20th annual Blessing of the Peacemakers on Jan. 26, a community event celebrating those who work for peace and justice in San Antonio. This year's theme was "Who is my neighbor?" and focused on interconnectedness and shared humanity. The event, held at the NVC campus, recognized individuals dedicated to peace, justice, and compassion. It emphasized that being a good neighbor extends beyond physical proximity and requires active care and support for others. Organizers stressed the importance of mending broken relationships and building bridges of understanding. The ceremony featured a performance by the Raindrop Ensemble, whose mission, as described by Director Aaron Michael, is to promote understanding and peace through music. The ensemble's performance underscored the event's message of unity and collaboration. San Antonio Poet Laureate Eddie Vega read a special poem celebrating San Antonio. Dr. Amy Bosley, president of Northwest Vista College, welcomed attendees and highlighted the college's recent achievements. NVC is celebrating its 30th anniversary and has reached a student enrollment of over 20,000, making it the largest college in the Alamo Colleges District. Dr. Bosley also noted that NVC launched its first Bachelor of Applied Technology Degree in Cloud Computing this past fall. San Antonio Peace Center Director Migdalia Garcia emphasized NVC's commitment to fostering an environment where students, faculty, and staff work together to create positive change. She further acknowledged the importance of the work of mutual thriving and "Golden Rule living," expressing gratitude for the peace laureates and all attendees and stating that San Antonio is a better place because of their collective efforts. The 2025 Peace Laureates are: Larry Hufford: With more than 50 years of teaching experience, Hufford is a community organizer and social justice activist. Raindrop Foundation San Antonio: RFSA serves the greater San Antonio community through events and programs that cultivate cross-cultural friendships, promote interfaith dialogue, and build bridges between diverse groups. Catholic Worker House: CWH’s mission is to assist people needing food, shelter, and help.

The Alamo Colleges District invites students to apply to serve as the 2025-2026 Student Trustee. The Student Trustee serves as an advisor to the Board and is a liaison between the students and the Board of Trustees and Chancellor, while gaining leadership experience and ensuring that students participate in district governance. The Student Trustee’s main goal is to represent student interests.Role Description The student trustee is expected to support the Alamo Colleges District mission to empower our diverse communities for success and should commit to full participation at board meetings held approximately twice a month. The Student Trustee also has the opportunity to attend pre-approved conferences, advocacy trips, and other activities and events. Travel allowance/reimbursement is received at the same rate established for other Trustees. The time commitment can be substantial, but many student trustee activities are dependent on the student’s schedule. Stipend The Student Trustee receives a $1,875 stipend at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester of his/her year of service, for a total of $3,750 stipend in recognition of the time spent as a trustee. The Alternate Student Trustee will receive a $937.50 stipend per fall and spring semester for a total of $1,875.Eligible students are encouraged to apply to their home college. Each of the five colleges will then submit a nominee to the Board of Trustees. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements.  Complete the Application on AlamoEXPERIENCE Use your ACES Login information to access the application.Eligibility Requirements Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 12 college level course hours at any of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District;  Be currently enrolled in one of the Alamo Colleges and maintain enrollment in at least six credit hours during the election period and throughout the Student Trustee’s term of office (Summer enrollment is optional);  Be in good academic and civic standing with the Alamo Colleges District; Be enrolled at any of the Alamo Colleges and able to serve a term that will begin on May 1st and end on April 30th of the following year; Have a GPA of at least 2.5; and  Not hold an earned post-secondary degree Also Encouraged:  Proof of community service hours; and  Participated in a Student Club or Organization    Applying students are to submit:  A brief personal essay addressing their interest and credential for this position;  A Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) form; and  A presentation one week before the Board Meeting.  Each college will nominate a student for the position of Student Trustee who will appear before the Board of Trustees and provide a brief presentation addressing why they believe they would be the best candidate for the position. Presentations are to be submitted one week before the Board Meeting along with a photo. The Board Liaison will contact the Colleges’ Student Trustee nominees and inform them of the Board of Trustees meeting date and Board interview process. In the interview, be ready to discuss: Your academic standing; Your community serve hours; The demographic make-up of all the Alamo Colleges (social, economic, and historical backgrounds) and how they make each student population unique; and Your personal vision for the future of the Alamo Colleges District. Application Timeline Jan. 21 – Open for applications Feb. 28 – Student Trustee Application Deadline by 11:59 p.m. Mar. 3-21 – SGA application review and interviews Mar. 24, 2025 – Student Trustee Candidates submitted to the Board (one candidate per college) Apr. 22, 2025 – Board of Trustees application review/interview process. Student Trustee selected by the Board at a Special Meeting May 1, 2025 – Student Trustee begins term and serves one year (May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026)

Fourteen NVC students from the Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 2351) course conducted poster presentations of their eight-week ethnographic research projects on Wednesday, Dec. 11 in Live Oak Hall. Each student selected a specific place, organization, or group on the Northwest Vista campus and conducted eight weeks of qualitative ethnographic research at the place and/or with the people they selected. Some students also utilized quantitative research through digital surveys, archival data, and other methods of data collection. This was the first time the Cultural Anthropology course has held poster presentations outside of the classroom. Students, faculty, and staff attended this unique opportunity to engage with students and their anthropological research. “This experiential learning project gives students the opportunity to do tangible, challenging anthropological work, and not just read about it,” said NVC Associate Professor and Anthropology Discipline Coordinator Adam Aguirre. “Posters are a creative way to present sometimes complex qualitative data.” Students used ethnography to conduct participant observation and interviewing research methods to understand the culture of the chosen place, organization, or group the way that people most familiar with it understand it - as an insider. Participant observation includes active engagement with the field site while taking fieldnotes with in-depth descriptions. Aguirre explains that systematically studying and then critically analyzing the data can reveal important themes and insight and is used by industry professionals to inspire positive change and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. “Through this research, students can provide their perspectives and lived experiences to college administrators, faculty, and staff that can be obfuscated by other forms of data,” said Aguirre. The students who presented posters are studying in the cultural anthropology discipline and across other disciplines within the college. ANTH - Cultural Research 12-24 Jonathan Ayala in the class put together a video that documents reasons students gave for why students are shy with one another or don't interact.  Click Here to View the Video!

Alamo Colleges is on a mission to break the cycle of poverty for students, but one of the stigmas often not talked about in many households is undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD or autism. “The undiagnosed community is often in the Hispanic community. Our families don’t believe in going to doctors, or it’s often said if you are like this, it’s because your ‘Tio Nacho’ was like that, and look, ‘He’s fine,’” said student Chris Sauceda, who attends both Northwest Vista College (NVC) and St. Philip's College (SPC). But it’s not fine, Sauceda said. An ADHD/autistic diagnosis means students have a hard time focusing in class, the class work may be going too fast for them, or they are suffering from anxiety while in class. All these factors could mean that a student won’t get a passing grade, may not continue to the next semester, or possibly drop out. Sauceda and his student research team of Northwest Vista College students (Mel Cordero, Abril Martinez, Suzzie Olvera, Robin Pritchard, Christopher Sauceda, and Jasmine Silva) decided to do something about this. They conducted surveys at both NVC and SPC to collect data to detect how many students who attend a community college are undiagnosed with neurodevelopmental issues. The student research team surveyed 476 students. Sauceda said the study, titled, Prevalence of ADHD and Autism in Community Colleges, hasn’t been attempted on a community college population before. Once their research and key takeaways are completed, the student team hopes to go to the Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees to identify resources and funding to provide holistic avenues for students to cope with ADHD/autism. Sauceda said he envisions hosting workshops on campus to help students with memorization, focus, and day-to-day strategies to increase success in the classroom. This is not Sauceda’s first time working with students on the neurodevelopmental spectrum. He received a teaching certificate in Oklahoma and worked in classrooms with an innovative approach to helping similar students. He said that the school district’s comprehensive strategies opened his eyes to what can help students succeed. Sauceda, who recently attended the Hispanic Associations of Colleges and Universities conference in Colorado, is also one of the few community college students who recently participated in the Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars Program from the American Heart Association. This program invests in biomedical and health sciences undergraduate students enrolled at Hispanic Serving Institutions and allows them to learn about health disparities in Hispanic communities. Sauceda’s NVC mentor, Dr. Donald Lucas, who is an NVC professor of Psychology, said many of our students who likely fall on the neurodevelopmental spectrum may not have the resources to get diagnosed, and only by establishing and knowing our neurodivergent student population's rates, can educators, truly serve this population. “My students never cease to amaze me,” Lucas said. “The studies they are currently conducting for possible presentation at next year’s annual meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association will make the survey method of collecting data less discriminatory and more inclusive; and the studies will allow for the neurodivergent student population at Northwest Vista College and beyond—to be better served in higher education.”

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Aniya Ricks’ journey to success has been guided by ambition and determination to achieve her future goals.  A homeschool graduate from Liberty University Online Academy, Aniya is now studying Computer Science at Northeast Lakeview College (NLC), where she maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. She dreams of using her skills to protect the nation from cyber threats and aspires to become an FBI agent specializing in computer science. Thanks to the support of the AlamoPROMISE program, a last-dollar scholarship that covers 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students, Aniya is on her way to making this dream a reality. “AlamoPROMISE has taken the financial strain of education off my family, allowing me to focus on my classes and my grades,” says Aniya. “This program has helped me and countless other students with their education.” With the burden of tuition removed, Aniya has been able to fully dedicate herself to her coursework and extracurricular activities. In addition to her studies, she is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success, where she continues to develop her leadership skills and expand her professional network. Outside the classroom, Aniya is passionate about giving back to the community and volunteers at several local non-profits. She also has a small bag-making business, enjoys martial arts, and takes care of her collection of twenty-two houseplants. When asked about her experience at NLC, Aniya speaks highly of the support she has received from faculty and staff. “I have been able to save money that I can use toward my transfer institution once I complete my work at NLC. I am grateful to the faculty and staff at NLC for their guidance and support, especially my advisors and professors who have helped me get to where I am today,” she says. “My experience at this campus has been outstanding.” After graduating from NLC, Aniya plans to transfer to a four-year university where she will pursue a degree in Cybersecurity with a minor in Psychology. For Aniya, AlamoPROMISE has been more than just financial support—it’s been the key to unlocking her future. Without the financial pressures of tuition, she has been able to focus on what truly matters: her education and future career goals.

History isn’t just in textbooks, but it’s a lived experience. Northwest Vista College’s Yolanda Reyes-Guevara got to experience the impact of World War II in Berlin, Germany this past fall when she traveled there as a recipient of a Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Award. "This was a fun and educational journey, filled with personal reflection,” said Reyes-Guevara, who is the NVC interim dean for Academic Success. “I loved connecting with the culture and learning with other scholars. It's an experience that can't be replicated. Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) seminars are fully funded and provide the opportunity for higher education administrators to learn about higher education systems in other countries. Fulbright U.S. Scholars engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional network, often building future partnerships between institutions. Participants in IEA are provided with an overview of Germany’s higher education system through presentations, discussions with colleagues and experts, and campus visits throughout Germany to institutions of higher education such as research universities and universities of applied sciences. Reyes-Guevara connected with scholars of different countries and multiple higher educational programs including a colleague working with a school of emerging technology in Monterey, Mexico. She believes this connection could be helpful for NVC globalization programs and international experience opportunities for students who can’t travel. One striking difference Reyes-Guevara discovered is that higher education is tuition-free in Germany and is considered a public good. Germany puts high value on an educated society considering it as a more productive society. Her colleagues in Germany could not understand why U.S. students have college loans and debt. “At the same time, in the U.S., we have more wrap-around services for students, such as advocacy and student life,” said Reyes-Guevara. “We create more opportunities for student engagement on campus to help with persistence and completion.” As part of the cross-cultural perspective, the program provided tours of historical and cultural sites around Germany. "Being in the epicenter of WWII and the Cold War was truly eye-opening. It was a powerful reminder that history isn't just a textbook; it's a lived experience,” Reyes-Guevara added. “I felt a deeper connection to the culture that endured those times. You can't truly understand it without being there." Reyes-Guevara is currently collaborating on a presentation proposal recommending more Fulbright opportunities for community college faculty and staff. She is also looking forward to sharing her experience with NVC students and exploring ways to bring more international experiences to the college. Northwest Vista College was recently named as a Fulbright HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) Leader for 2024. Each year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) recognizes select HSIs for their strong engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program.

NVC students, faculty, and staff gathered near the Redbud Learning Center Nov. 20 to celebrate a ribbon cutting for the Deb Morgan Reflection Station. This mosaic bench and permanent work of art honors Dr. Deb Morgan, a founding member of NVC and the late wife of NVC math professor Dr. Dennis J. Gittinger. NVC faculty and San Antonio artist Diana Kersey created the renderings for the lakeside Reflection Station. In September, several NVC faculty and staff members from across the college including the Math department, Art, Student Success, Information Technology, College Services, and the President’s Office took part in making the pottery while reflecting on the impact Deb Morgan had on the college and student success. Dr. Deb Morgan was instrumental in shaping the college's mission and vision. She established the admissions department of Student Success and led the campus's physical transformation. As district director of Strategic Initiatives and Performance Excellence, she played a key role in the Alamo Colleges' 2018 Baldrige Award. Her legacy lives on through her passion for the college's continuous improvement and the success of students.