PAC News

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.

Spotlight Series: 2025 NISOD Recipients

How the Ready to Work program gave Onesty Hamilton a new career in law enforcement

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.

Yarexy Hernandez Finds Purpose and Support at Northwest Vista College

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.

Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees Selects New Student Trustee

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.

PAC Leads Optimizes Leadership Development

Palo Alto College is excited to introduce PAC Leads, a dynamic leadership development program designed to allow local professionals and community members to build their leadership skills, engage with industry experts, and grow their networks—all without restrictive costs or time commitments. Led by Palo Alto College administrators Esteban “Steve” Sosa, the Dean of Academic Support Services, and Amanda Harrison, the Academic Program Coordinator, PAC Leads was established with a specific mission: to provide accessible, flexible, and practical leadership development. Steve and Amanda have extensive experience in higher education and team management, which influenced their decision to avoid a traditional lecture-based program. Instead, they created a dynamic environment where participants could learn from one another, reflect on their leadership styles, and gain new perspectives on how to make a greater impact in their communities. The idea for PAC Leads began when Steve and Amanda took a deep dive into the existing leadership programs in the area. They discovered that while many offered valuable insights, some were lengthy or cost-prohibitive for many individuals. As professionals with busy lives and limited resources, many aspiring or current leaders simply didn’t have the time or financial flexibility to attend these programs. Recognizing this gap, Steve and Amanda set out to create a leadership training program that was affordable, flexible, and impactful for leaders at all stages of their careers. With this goal in mind, they created the PAC Leads Institutes, which currently include three key modules: Inspire, Engage, and Empower. Each module is designed to provide a rich, hands-on experience that combines leadership principles with real-world examples, award-winning results, site visits, and dynamic guest facilitators. “Your leadership style will change throughout [your career] as you gain experience, but starting early with a good foundation will help you avoid any major regrets,” shared Amanda. The Inspire Institute, launched in Fall 2024, is designed for leaders at all levels to reflect on their leadership styles, ideas, and aspirations, whether they are just starting their careers or are seasoned professionals. “A lesson I learned from an old professor is, ‘Why would I ever dismiss something that I could learn from?’” Amanda says. “Even when we think we’ve got it all figured out, someone else’s perspective can shift everything.” Participants in this module will engage with industry leaders, participate in group activities, and gain insights into motivating others and fostering a positive and productive team environment. Looking ahead, the Engage Institute, scheduled for Fall 2025, will build on the lessons learned in Inspire. This module will focus on broadening participants’ reflections to include their teammates and how to work effectively with others by leveraging individual strengths. The goal is to create a collaborative and supportive atmosphere where attendees can practice what they’ve learned and begin applying these skills in their work environments. Finally, the Empower Institute, scheduled to launch in Fall 2026, will help participants take their leadership skills to the next level. This module will focus on implementing what has been learned on a broader scale, connecting with the community, and learning how to drive impactful change. PAC Leads not only supports seasoned professionals but also encourages the growth of emerging leaders. Steve offers advice for those just beginning their leadership journey, “Don’t underestimate what a chance encounter can do for you. It’s okay to take advantage of opportunities that come your way.” He also emphasizes the importance of continuous growth. Steve explains, “You never stop learning, so it's important to keep an open mindset because it’s never too late to learn a new perspective.” Through PAC Leads, Palo Alto College is reimagining the future of leadership development, empowering the community to lead with purpose, confidence, and impact. To learn more or to register for an upcoming session, visit alamo.edu/pac/leads.

Student Highlight: Jeremy Pelegreen

At Palo Alto College, the mission to provide accessible education for all students comes to life through inspiring stories like Jeremy Pelegreen’s, a talented student on the autism spectrum. Jeremy's story begins with a dream shared by many students but uniquely important to him: attending college. He wanted to experience college life alongside his peers, but for a long time, his family faced challenges finding an educational path to meet his needs. "My dream was to go to college like everyone else," Jeremy shared. “My cousin and all of my friends were going, and I wanted to do that too.” Luckily, Jeremy’s family found Project Access through his high school counselor. Project Access is a specialized program at Palo Alto College that supports students with intellectual disabilities. The program offers students the chance to earn certificates that enhance their career prospects while equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in the workforce. “We tried, we really tried to look for opportunities for Jeremy all across town, " shared Robert Pelegreen, Jeremy’s grandfather. “ And we found the opportunity here at Palo Alto with the help of Cindy Cook and Project Access.” Through Project Access, Jeremy earned his General Office Level 1 Certificate, gaining a strong academic and life skills foundation. But for Jeremy, music was always his true calling, and it was at PAC that he met Professor Castillo, a faculty member in the music department, who introduced him to the world of college-level music classes. Jeremy’s love for music is a lifelong passion." Jeremy didn’t speak his first words—he sang them," said his mother, Lilian. "From that moment on, he’s always had a passion for music.” His mother, Lilian, took on the role of his piano teacher until he was ten, fostering his early musical abilities. Later, as Jeremy pursued formal education in music at Palo Alto College, Lilian returned to school and began taking courses at PAC alongside her son to help him navigate his classes and ensure his success. Jeremy has become a fixture of the campus music scene throughout his time at PAC, showcasing his talents in everything from jazz to mariachi. He plays piano, drums, xylophone, and more and has participated in several on-campus performances. For Jeremy, performing brings immense joy—unlike many, Jeremy rarely feels nervous on stage. When asked, Jeremy said, “No, I don’t feel nervous. I know I’m going to do a good job, and it’s fun to be on stage.” Perhaps the most touching chapter of Jeremy’s journey unfolded in December 2024 during PAC’s Merry-achi Christmas performance, when Jeremy and his mother, Lilian, took the stage together for a heartwarming duet. The moment was made even more special with the addition of Jeremy’s grandfather, who played Santa Claus during the performance. This powerful family bond, strengthened through music, illustrates the close-knit support system crucial to Jeremy’s success at PAC. In addition to the unwavering support from his family, Jeremy has thrived thanks to the inclusive and accommodating environment at Palo Alto College. Jeremy has made many friends and is just months away from walking across the stage in recognition of his musical accomplishments. Jeremy and his family attribute his success to the dedication of PAC’s staff and faculty, who have gone above and beyond to ensure his educational experience is enriching and achievable. Robert expressed his gratitude to faculty and staff, saying, “They are nothing but supportive; I think they’re among the best teachers I’ve ever seen.” Jeremy’s journey is a testament to the power of inclusive education and the transformative resources available at Palo Alto College. Thanks to Project Access and the commitment of faculty and staff, Jeremy has found his academic and professional path and discovered the joy of musical expression. Jeremy’s story serves as an inspiration to all students, showing that with the right support, anything is possible.