The 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.

Pictured: 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

  (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. To learn more about the bond proposal or to request a bond information presentation visit alamo.edu/cip View CIP Bond Page

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)

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.

Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores and other Hispanic-Serving Institution leaders joined President Joe Biden at the White House today to ceremoniously sign an order that advances support for HSIs.  HSIs are colleges, universities, or districts with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment. President Biden signed Executive Order (EO) 14124 during the event, establishing the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through HSIs.  President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced nearly $19 million in transformational investments to build research infrastructure at five HSIs in Florida, Illinois, Texas, and Puerto Rico. These efforts build on the Administration’s historic investment of over $16 billion in more than 500 HSIs across 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico that educate more than 4.7 million students annually. All the Alamo Colleges are Hispanic-Serving Institutions and St. Philip’s College is the nation’s only HSI and Historically Black College and University (HBCU).  For more information on the signing event, click here.

The Alamo Colleges District has been selected to participate in the Minding College Minds Learning Community, a statewide initiative launched by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute in partnership with the Texas Success Center at the Texas Association of Community Colleges.  This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to support the mental health needs of over 225,000 community college students across Texas, including the 77,000 students attending the Alamo Colleges District. “Mental health and well-being are essential to student success, and we are proud to partner with the Meadows Institute and Texas Success Center on this vital initiative,” said Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores. “By developing and implementing innovative mental health support systems, we will strengthen our capacity to foster environments where every student can thrive.” This statewide learning community leverages the Meadows Institute’s Minding College Minds Framework for Postsecondary Mental Health, developed to address the increasing demand for student mental health support on higher education campuses. While studies have shown that postsecondary mental health and well-being play a substantial role in student success and persistence in higher education, it has historically been challenging for community colleges to implement mental health support for students without a comprehensive guiding framework. By aligning mental health and student success initiatives, the Alamo Colleges District is committed to developing a tailored action plan to improve student mental health and, in turn, boost student success across its colleges. “The Minding College Minds Learning Community helps community colleges address important gaps in their mental health services for students. By providing a comprehensive framework, technical assistance, and curated opportunities for peer learning, member colleges will walk away prepared to build robust systems supporting campuswide mental health and wellbeing,” said Michelle Harper, the executive director of the Center for Child and Family Wellness at the Meadows Institute. “Our communities are strengthened when higher education institutions are equipped to foster environments where every student can thrive.” The Alamo Colleges District is one of 13 institutions chosen to participate in this inaugural learning community, which includes urban, rural, and suburban colleges from across the state.  In addition to the Alamo Colleges District, other participating members of the first-ever Minding Minds Learning Community include: Central Texas College Dallas College Del Mar College Grayson College Kilgore College Laredo College North Central Texas College Northeast Texas Community College Paris Junior College San Jacinto College Trinity Valley Community College Victoria College

EMBARGOED RELEASE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 25, 2024, 10 A.M. CT   September 25, 2024   2024-25 Fellows of HACU’s Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo announced Northeast Lakeview College Dean for Student Success Selected to Participate   SAN ANTONIO – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is pleased to announce the 45 fellows who will make up the sixth cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. The program is designed to increase diverse representation in executive and senior-level positions in higher education. Northeast Lakeview College Dean for Student Success, Ms. Georgia Flores is selected to participate.   “The HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo has a proven record of advancing diverse leaders within a wide range of higher education institutions, demonstrating the value of the program in expanding representation at the highest levels of college and university administrations” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “We are proud of our previous cohorts in how they have moved into the upper ranks of academia with speed and fully expect this current cohort to match if not exceed our alums in successfully breaking into leadership roles across the nation.”   Fellows participate in an array of leadership development activities preparing them for leadership roles in the full spectrum of institutions of higher learning, with an emphasis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Emerging HSIs.   The one-year fellowship program includes webinars and three seminars, with the first seminar held in October 2024 in conjunction with HACU’s 38th Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado. The second seminar will be held in Washington, D.C., in April 2025, at HACU’s National Capitol Forum. The third seminar will take place at a still to be determined international location.   The Leadership Academy faculty consists of current and former presidents, chancellors and senior administrators and brings over 100 years of combined experience in serving various sectors of higher education, including private/public universities, community colleges and faith-based institutions. Mentorship with a university president or senior-level administrator is a key component, as well as the development of a special project designed to have an impact at the Fellow’s current institution. The following Academy alums have attained president positions: Universidad Central del Caribe President Waleska Crespo-Rivera, Ph.D.; California State University, Fresno President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D.; Harold Washington College President Daniel López, Jr., Ph.D.; Macalester College President Suzanne Rivera, Ph.D.; New Jersey City University President Andrés Acebo, J.D.; Oklahoma Panhandle State University President Julie Dinger, Ph.D.; College of San Mateo President Manuel Alejandro Pérez, Ed.D.; and Keiser University Miami Campus President Norma Pastor.   Special thanks to Capital One, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Carnegie Mellon for their support in providing fellowships to selected recipients.   The 2024-25 Fellows and their home institutions are:   Sylvia Y. Acosta. Ph.D., New Mexico State University Foundation Vanessa K. Arellano, Ed.D., Pima Community College* Tishra L. Beeson, Dr.PH., Central Washington University Eugene C. Berger, Ph.D., Georgia Gwinnet College Kristina Campos-Davis. Ph.D., Trinity University Belkis Torres Capeles, Ph.D., Polk State College Javier Clavere, D.M.A., University of the Incarnate Word*** Aaron Cortés, Northeastern Illinois University** Carlos J. Crespo, Dr.PH., University of Illinois, Chicago Víctor M. Dávila,Texas Lutheran University José Dela Cruz, Ph.D., Portland Community College Alejandro del Carmen, Ph.D., Tarleton State University*** Kevin Dvorak, Ph.D., Nova Southeastern University*** Jorge F. Figueroa, Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University Debra Flores, Ph.D., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center** Georgia Flores, Northeast Lakeview College Deborah García, University of Texas at Arlington Juan Manuel González Fernández, Ph.D., Universidad de Monterrey*** Jessica González Uhlig, Ed.D., Our Lady of the Lake University** Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego Felipe Hinojosa, Ph.D., Baylor University*** Luis Juárez, Ed.D., Criswell College*** Teresita Levy, Ph.D., Lehman College, CUNY*** Alberto Mendoza González Larreynaga, Antelope Valley College Neva Lozada, Ed.D., Kean University Liliana A. Madrid, Meredith College Lorena V. Márquez, Ph.D., University of California, Davis*** Araceli Martínez Ortiz, Ph.D., University of Texas at San Antonio Mónica M. Medrano, Central Washington University Alejandra Villalobos Meléndez, Ed.D., University of New Mexico-Taos** Vanessa Bográn Meling, Ed.D., University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Victoria Lynn Moe, San Antonio College Jessica L. Moreno, Waubonsee Community College Victoria Obregón, Ph.D., Colorado State University-Pueblo** Irene Oujo, Ph.D., Fairleigh Dickinson University Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D., Eugenio María de Hostos Community College Olivia Padilla-Jackson, Central New Mexico Community College Jessenia Paoli, J.D., Bronx Community College Roberto G. Reyes, Dallas College Barbara L. Rodríguez, Ph.D., University of New Mexico Lorri J. Santamaría, Ph.D., California Lutheran University Nireata Seals, Ed.D., Central New Mexico Community College Leticia Villarreal Sosa, Ph.D., University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Frances Valdovinos, Ed.D., University of California, Riverside Felisha Herrera Villarreal, Ph.D., San Diego State University   *American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Fellowship recipient **Capital One Fellowship recipient ***Mellon Scholarship   More information about the HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo is available at www.hacu.net/leadershipacademy.   About HACU The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters is in San Antonio, Texas, with offices in Washington, D.C, Sacramento, California, and Chicago, Illinois.   ###

Bezos Academy Application Process Closed Applications for the Bezos Academy for 2024-2025 have closed.  Lottery has been conducted.  Families whose child(ren) was selected have been notified.  For more information about the application process, eligibility, and with other questions, visit  https://bezosacademy.org/eligibility/