Now Accepting Applications for 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.
Northwest Vista College (NVC) student Nala Knight was named as the alternate student trustee. She will attend board meetings if Rodriguez is unable to do so.
Knight, a U.S. Army veteran from Macon, Georgia, began her academic journey at Northwest Vista College in the summer of 2024. She serves as a Student Ambassador in Admissions and Records and President of NVC’s Student Event Team (S.E.T.). During her military service, Knight led the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program dedicated to enhancing the morale and welfare of single service members. She also participated in the Junior Achievement Future Educators Program, where she taught financial literacy to third-grade students.
Knight plans to transfer to Trinity University, where she will double major in English Literature and pursue a Master’s degree in International Studies inspired by her travels to Querétaro, Mexico, with the Alamo Colleges Cultural Exchange Program.
The other outstanding Alamo Colleges student trustee candidates included:
Jose De Jesus Bernal – is a first-generation college student and father pursuing an associate of applied science online with Palo Alto College’s (PAC) Cyber Defense & Operations program. In the future, he hopes to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration in computer information systems and security. In his free time, Bernal volunteers at the San Antonio Clubhouse, participates in community outreach programs for Restore Education and plays in three adult soccer leagues.
Angelica Cordero – is a parenting student and military spouse pursuing an associate of applied science at St. Philip's College (SPC). After graduation, she plans to continue her education at San Antonio College to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Cordero serves as the Director of Silvia’s Angels, a home health company, and brings over 22 years of volunteer experience working with the elderly. Her passion for advocacy, caregiving, and community has inspired her active involvement in campus organizations. She is a Future United Latino Leaders for Change member, the Student Government Association President-Elect, the SNT Coordinator for the National Society for Leadership and Success, and an ACD Student Leadership Institute participant.
Edmond "Ron" Kelley – is a dual credit student pursuing an associate of arts at Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) while attending Judson Early College Academy (JECA) as a high school junior. Kelley is a dedicated student who began taking college-level courses at 14. His future goals include earning his bachelor's degree at Harvard University and attending Harvard Medical School to earn his Doctor of Medicine and become a neurosurgeon. In 2021, Kelley co-founded the National Mentoring Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring young male students. Throughout his academic journey with the Alamo Colleges and JECA, he has earned numerous accolades, participated in various extracurricular activities, and taken on several leadership roles. In his free time, Kelley channels his passion for audio and video production into creating NBA highlight videos on YouTube that garner millions of views.
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- How the Ready to Work program gave Onesty Hamilton a new career in law enforcementThe 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 CollegeAs 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.
- H-E-B Strengthens Support for Student Advocacy with $400,000 DonationDemonstrating its continued commitment to supporting education and fighting hunger, H-E-B announced a $400,000 donation to the Alamo Colleges District and its Student Advocacy Center Network during an event at St. Philip’s College on Wednesday, March 26. The donation will support scholarships and strengthening resources available to students across the district who face food insecurity and other critical needs. The contribution from H-E-B, through its Hunger Relief program, also included a refrigerated truck that will enhance food collection and delivery in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank, along with pantry equipment, food supplies, and emergency assistance to help students at all five Alamo Colleges. “Across the Alamo Colleges District, we know that supporting our students’ basic needs is essential to their success inside and outside the classroom,” said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor. “Thanks to H-E-B’s generous investment, we’re expanding the capacity to support our students and our Advocacy Centers to ensure that food insecurity and other barriers don’t stand in the way of our students achieving their academic and career goals.” Each advocacy center across the district serves as a one-stop hub where students can access food pantries, benefits navigators, and emergency aid. Through partnerships, the centers host pop-up markets and maintain fully stocked campus food pantries, providing fresh, healthy food, and supplies directly to students and their families. “At H-E-B, we’re committed to helping our partners in education provide opportunities to the next generation of leaders who will shape the workforce in San Antonio and Texas,” said Monica Garza, H-E-B Senior Manager of Public Affairs. “Hunger impacts so many across our communities, and this gift will help give students access to food and other necessities, so they can focus on their academics and not where their next meal will come from.” According to a national study, nearly 40% of community college students experience food insecurity, which can impact their ability to stay enrolled and complete their education. H-E-B has more than a 30-year history of supporting the Alamo Colleges District and investing in initiatives and scholarships that make a difference in the lives of students. In 2024, H-E-B announced a $1 million donation to St. Philip’s College for the construction of the H-E-B Black Box Theater, further providing opportunities that drive creativity and innovation. For more information about the Alamo Colleges District Advocacy Centers, visit alamo.edu/advocacy. ### About H-E-B H-E-B, with sales of more than $46 billion, operates over 435 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 160,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.
- Explore the Upgraded ACES PortalThe Alamo Colleges District’s upgraded ACES Portal is now available for you to preview. The new portal features a modernized design and improved functionality to give students, faculty, and staff more straightforward access to key tools, resources, and helpful information. The new ACES portal will be the default portal option in mid-March. ACES Upgrade Video FM Cards Format: Content is arranged into a ‘card’ format. Each card may represent a single tool or resource or could contain a group of related items in one card. Streamlined Navigation: ACES cards are organized into five main categories: Academics, Enrollment, Paying for College, Resources, and My ACES Profile. The menu is located on the left side of the screen. Search Functionality: Looking for something specific? Use the "Discover” option to locate relevant cards across all menu categories. Type a search term or select from suggested topics. Personalization: Customize your portal home screen by bookmarking and organizing your most-used cards. Aces FWC We’re dedicated to improving ACES to better serve you. Use the 'Report ACES Feedback & Issues' card on your home screen to share any suggestions or concerns, and we’ll make enhancements based on your input.
- The National Day of Collective Healing: The Rhythm of Our Common HumanityPictured: Leslie Odom Jr. and Dr. Eric Castillo Last week, the Alamo Colleges District hosted the 4th Annual National Day of Collective Healing, featuring Tony and Grammy Award-winning vocalist, actor, and songwriter Leslie Odom Jr. The theme, "The Rhythm of Our Common Humanity," brought together the community for a powerful evening of reflection, culture, and connection at the Carver Community Cultural Center. The event was emceed by Erika Prosper, the First Lady of San Antonio, and opened with a blessing and land acknowledgment by Destiny Hernández of the Payaya Clan of the Tāp Pīlam Coahuiltecan Nation. Mayor Ron Nirenberg, along with the center's Executive Director, Cassandra Parker-Nowicki. Chancellor Dr. Flores also spoke about the power of art and education in healing. Following the speeches, the audience was captivated by a dragon dance performed by the San Antonio Chinese Alliance and a Native American hoop dance by Eric Michael Hernández of the Lumbee Tribe. The evening continued with a conversation between Dr. Eric Castillo, Associate Vice Chancellor for Arts, Culture, and Community Impact, and Leslie Odom Jr. about finding compassion within ourselves. Leslie emphasized, “It’s how we treat one another and how we treat ourselves. We can express that compassion in how we speak to our students, employees, and children. The healing work that you're doing—that is your 'change is going to come.' We all can contribute to it.”View Event Photos View the Event Video
