Palo Alto College proudly announces that the PAC Community Garden has been named Community Garden of the Year In the 2025 Garden Awards. This annual recognition by Gardopia Gardens honors local gardens, businesses, and organizations that are making a meaningful impact by growing food for the people and the planet across the San Antonio region. “First, I’d like to thank Gardopia Gardens for holding this event to recognize community gardens in San Antonio,” said Rocky Rich, Community Garden Lab Tech. “We are honored to be selected as the Community Garden of the Year for 2025.” The Palo Alto College Community Garden was established in the Fall of 2019 to help address food insecurity among students and nearby neighborhoods; many of which are considered food deserts with limited access to affordable, healthy food. Today, the garden is home to more than 40 fruit trees and is in the process of becoming officially certified as an orchard. “It’s been a collective effort and a true team spirit that has made this garden so successful,” Rich shared. “I want to acknowledge the passion, dedication, and hard work of our volunteers, garden members, and the Palo Alto College staff and faculty.” The garden is open to students, employees, and community members, offering a welcoming space to learn how to grow food while gaining knowledge in nutrition and sustainable gardening techniques. Educational programs continue to grow, with hands-on workshops and events designed for all ages. Congratulations to everyone who has helped the Community Garden flourish. This award is a testament to your commitment and impact!    

[hide]

Palo Alto College dancer Ariana Martinez is making history as the first PAC graduate to join the Texas A&M University–San Antonio Jaguarettes Dance Team, marking a significant milestone in the program's five-year history. The celebration took place during a signing ceremony on Friday, May 16, where Ariana was surrounded by proud instructors, classmates, and family members to honor her achievement and cheer on her next chapter. Ariana first connected with the Jaguarettes through a recruitment camp hosted at TAMUSA. It was there that she became familiar with the team’s dynamic and built a strong rapport with Head Dance and Cheer Coach Courtney Bobb-Meilinger. That early connection helped pave the way for her recruitment and ultimately influenced her decision to accept and commit to the Jaguarettes. "What's really interesting is that we have never had anyone on our team from Palo Alto College, and we are neighbors,” said Bobb-Meilinger. “So it's very interesting that it never happened, but now it is a great opportunity to unite the schools. We are all on the same path for education and share a passion for dance, and this is going to be a door that opens and allows for more communication and collaboration." The moment was especially meaningful for Ariana’s family. “I am so excited for her, she is first generation, so it means a lot,” her mother shared. “It’s beautiful to see her continue something that she loves to do. She has a passion for dance and is so good at it. She shines, not just because she’s my daughter, but because she’s got something special, and I can’t wait to see it grow.” Ariana’s achievement represents more than a personal milestone; it signals the beginning of a stronger bridge between Palo Alto College and Texas A&M–San Antonio. As she takes the floor with the Jaguarettes, she opens the door for future PAC students to explore similar pathways in dance and higher education, expanding opportunities and strengthening the bond between two neighboring institutions.

Palo Alto College is celebrating the outstanding contributions of its faculty and staff, who make this institution a beacon of hope for the Southside community. Each year, employees at Palo Alto College can nominate their colleagues for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. Established in 1991, these awards honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional work on their campuses. Employees submit nominations for those who exemplify excellence in various categories. Then, past NISOD award winners evaluate the nominees. This year, faculty and staff members were recognized for their excellence in five specific areas.Excellence in Teaching  Dr. Alba De Leon, Fine Arts “I am honored to receive the NISOD Excellence Award and to be in the company of my esteemed colleagues—gracias! I have had the privilege of serving as Professor of Art at Palo Alto College and as International Education Liaison to the Alamo Colleges District’s Office of International Programs, where I guide students in discovering their artistic voices and unique visual expressions while encouraging them to explore culture both locally and abroad. Celebrating the arts on campus is a true joy, and I’m always seeking opportunities for students to engage with the arts.” Brad Chandler, Biology “I have proudly served as a Professor of Biology in the Sciences and Kinesiology Department at Palo Alto College for over 29 years. The most rewarding aspect of my position is to see my former Students enter Graduate or Professional School and become a contributor to the Central Texas community.  I have received three NISOD Awards, and this will be my fourth. This recognition validates my teaching methods and the successes of my students.” Cecilia Sublette-English, World Languages & INRW “I am honored to be a recipient of this year’s NISOD Award for Teaching Excellence and to be recognized for my work in higher education at the community college—the best opportunity for sustained democracy. I’ve been teaching English full-time at the community college level for 14 years, and I joined the English department at Palo Alto College three years ago, where I found a wonderful community of students and supportive colleagues across campus. Since arriving at Palo Alto, I’ve completed the Compassionate USA training with Dr. Eric Castillo and remain committed to helping faculty and students collaborate in developing compassionate policies and syllabi in the classroom. While I continue to teach English, I also now serve as Chair of Behavioral Sciences, where I see myself as a faculty advocate dedicated to supporting student success both during and beyond their college journey.”   Excellence in Teaching by an Adjunct Instructor Ronnie L. Brannon, Logistics and Supply Chain “Over the past fifteen and a half years leading this program, the most rewarding part of my role has been introducing individuals to the world of logistics—often before they’ve even chosen it as a career path. I take pride in demystifying logistics and supply chain concepts for students in their very first class, helping them connect with the field in a meaningful way. Being recognized for the passion I bring to this work is both humbling and deeply fulfilling.” James Rogers, Biology (Arts & Sciences) “I started working at Palo Alto College as an adjunct biology faculty member in the Sciences & Kinesiology department about eleven years ago. I especially want to acknowledge and thank my department chair at Palo Alto College, Sara Wilkins, and my lead instructor, Brad Chandler, for all the years of support and guidance they provided me. The NISOD Excellence Award is the first proper teaching award I have ever received in my life, so I am very appreciative of this accolade.  I will continue to do my best to exceed the expectations of my peers and keep striving for an amazing teaching experience for all of my students.” Isabel Fales, Business Management, BAT, CIS, Computer Science & Cybersecurity “I have served as an adjunct instructor in the Project Access Program at Alamo Colleges since 2019. I take great pride in teaching students with disabilities. The Project Access program is made up of students who cannot take traditional courses due to their disability; therefore, I challenge myself to take each student from day one and do all I can to help them succeed as best they can. At the end of the day, when a student sends me an email before they graduate, telling me, "Your dedication and passion for teaching have truly made a lasting impact on me, not just academically but personally as well.", my heart is filled with joy! I know this is where I am meant to be! It is truly an honor to receive the NISOD award, and I am forever grateful to my counterpart who recommended me.” Excellence for Service to the College Vincent Bosquez, Veterans Affairs “I’m honored to receive the NISOD Excellence Award and want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my team in Veteran Affairs and the Advising Services team. This recognition reflects the collective effort, dedication, and collaboration we share in supporting our student veterans. I’m proud to work alongside such passionate colleagues who go above and beyond to help our students succeed.” Juan Sandoval, Tech Support Supervisor “I'm inspired by the impact technology has on student success. Knowing that my work at Tech Support Supervisor helps create reliable, innovative solutions that support learning and access motivates me daily. Supporting our students behind the scenes drives my passion and ensures they have what they need to thrive.” Lorissa Ortiz, College Services Facilitator “As a College Facilitator for College Operations, I’ve had the privilege of supporting a wide range of campus enhancements—from collaborating on Capital Improvement Projects to coordinating complex, multi-departmental relocations—all to foster an environment that supports learning, collaboration, and student success. I’m incredibly fortunate to work with a talented, dedicated, and hardworking team whose commitment and collaboration make everything we do possible; their support and shared drive are a constant source of motivation. Receiving the NISOD Excellence Award is a true honor, and I proudly share this recognition with the outstanding team that brings each project and initiative to life.” Excellence by Staff or Administrator Jessica Dominguez, Executive Assistant to the President “I have been at Palo Alto College for almost two years, serving as Executive Assistant to the President, and it has been a rewarding experience to be part of the Alamo Colleges District. I find great fulfillment in supporting students, faculty, and staff in ways that contribute to their success and well-being. Throughout my time here, I have developed my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while deepening my commitment to service through pursuing a Social Work degree at Our Lady of the Lake University to further enhance my impact. Receiving the NISOD Excellence Award is a true honor, and I am grateful to be recognized for work I am passionate about within such an inspiring community.” Bobbie Jean Munoz, Administrative Service Specialist – Fine & Performing Arts "I'm truly honored to receive the NISOD Excellence Award. It's been a joy to support the Fine & Performing Arts, and I'm grateful to be part of a team that values creativity, collaboration, and student success." Barbara Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant to the President “I’ve proudly served the Alamo Colleges District for over eight years, bringing more than two decades of experience in higher education to my role as Administrative Assistant to the President. For me, the most rewarding part of my work is being part of a dedicated team and a mission-driven organization that continually strives to change lives and expand opportunities for the students we serve. Receiving the NISOD Excellence Award is a significant honor in my career, and I see it as a reflection of the incredible colleagues and mentors who have supported and contributed to my professional growth over the years.” Excellence by Student Success Staff Marilyn Hernandez, Administrative Service Specialist – S.H.A.R.E. Center “I’ve had the privilege of being part of the PAC community for over a decade—first as a student in 2013 and then as a full-time staff member since 2016. In my current role at the S.H.A.R.E. Center and Mental Health Counseling Department, I support students through both their academic and personal journeys, and help students in distress through outreach events, and expanding access to advocacy resources for mental health and student advocacy. Receiving the NISOD Excellence Award is an incredible honor, and I am truly humbled to be recognized for doing work I care so deeply about. It motivates me to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students every day.  My motto to continue this journey at PAC is to lead with compassion and listen with care – always remaining PACProud!” Rafael Sayago, Certified Advisor  “As a certified advisor, it is a sincere privilege to be in a position where I help students navigate their academic journey. I feel fortunate that through my employment with ACD, I have experienced outstanding leadership that has always supported the personal and professional growth of their staff. Working under great leadership has allowed me to find a career and job that I look forward to doing every day. Upon learning that I was a recipient of the NISOD Excellence Award, I was surprised and elated to have been selected for such an honor. However, receiving this distinction would not have been possible without the incredible support from my amazing team and the faculty and staff I work with daily.”       Tracy Quiroz, Data Analyst for Student Success “I have worked for the Alamo Colleges for nearly 5 years,  Palo Alto College for 4 years, and recently, I have transitioned to the Alamo Colleges District as a lead systems analyst. Serving as a data analyst in higher education has been professionally rewarding and personally meaningful. One of the most gratifying parts of my work is the ability to transform complex data into actionable insights that advance student achievement and drive institutional progress. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my efforts support informed decision-making across the college—impacting students and programs alike. Being selected for the NISOD Excellence Award is a true honor. It affirms the value of the work happening behind the scenes and reminds me that data plays a vital role in shaping our shared mission. I’m genuinely thankful for this recognition, which strengthens my dedication to quality, innovation, and service in the academic community.” Delilah Marquez, VP of Student Success “I began my career with PAC in 2016 and have learned and gained so much from colleagues and mentors along the way. Now as Vice President of Student Success, the most rewarding experience is to see students who have earned their degree/award/ certificate walk the stage at graduation and their families, who are so proud to celebrate their success.  Knowing that PAC/ACD continues to create change in the community and open doors of opportunity is no greater feeling. I am thankful to be recognized as a NISOD recipient.” Jennifer Flores, Interim Dean for Student Success “I'm humbled by the opportunity to serve the PAC community as Dean for Student Success at Palo Alto College and work alongside dedicated colleagues and students for the past 8 years. Advocating for students in my roles as Caring Campus and Parenting Student Liaison is deeply rewarding. I'm grateful for the support of my leadership team and husband, who help me be my best self.” Excellence by Academic Support Services Staff Tyler Archer, Dean for Student Success “I have been able to serve Palo Alto College for 9 years and previously served at San Antonio College for 4 years at the start of my career. Before taking on the Dean position, I worked in various areas of Student Affairs/Student Success, including student conduct, residence life, university programming, student activities, risk management, student organization development, and compliance administration. My favorite parts of working in higher education are the beginning and the end of a student's journey. I love new student orientation, where students are so excited to join our college, and then as they walk the stage at graduation when they're ready to go out into the world. It's great to see students grow, learn, and take their next steps. It's an honor to receive this NISOD award because our college nominates us, and it's always great to be recognized by your peers and community.” Andrew Rivera, Lead Librarian “I have been a part of Alamo Colleges for nearly four years, with just over two of those years dedicated to Palo Alto College, serving as the Access Services Librarian with the Ozuna Library. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is supporting students in achieving their academic goals. I assist students in recognizing the value of information and how to locate reliable sources while also mentoring work-study students within our department. My focus is on helping them enhance their skills, build confidence in their roles, and gain valuable experience in a professional setting. I am thrilled to receive the NISOD Excellence Award, which further inspires me to continue empowering students on their path to success.”The recipients then can attend the annual NISOD conference, where they learn about resources, ideas, and solutions that drive excellence and are recognized for their achievement during the Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration. The recognition of these employees is just a small token of appreciation for all their hard work at the College and serves as motivation for them to continue their excellence and reach new heights.

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.