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.

San Antonio College (SAC) has been awarded the UPCEA Innovation in Alternative Credentials Award, a national honor recognizing higher education institutions that have developed successful, innovative credential programs with positive outcomes for students. Presented by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), the award recognizes SAC’s commitment to new educational pathways that meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce through its marketable skills badges. Badges can be earned by completing a series of learning modules on topics including ethical decision-making, communication, or healthcare teamwork. Rosalind Ong, Interim Dean of Performance Excellence in the Office of Integrated Planning and Performance Excellence (IPPE), said that digital badges can help make learning inside and outside of the classroom visible to students, and increase self-efficacy and motivation supporting student success. “Alamo Colleges and SAC have put in extensive work to understand exactly what skills are in demand and to design our badges around those needs,” Ong said. “Digital badges, microcredentials, and alternative credentials are more than just a trend – they are an essential solution for people looking to rapidly gain new skills and strengthen their resumes.” The program’s success, evidenced by increased enrollment and high student satisfaction rates, aligns with SAC’s mission to deliver accessible, high-quality education and bridge the gap between academic achievement and career readiness. “It is an honor to be recognized on a national level for our commitment to innovative, career-focused education,” said Interim President Dr. Francisco Solis. “This award is a testament to our faculty and staff’s leadership and dedication to expanding access to skill-based education and student success.”

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

Education and policy nonprofit Generation Hope awarded San Antonio College with the prestigious FamilyU Seal of Approval. This honor highlights SAC's dedication to supporting student parents and fostering a family-friendly campus environment. The FamilyU Seal is a national certification awarded to higher education institutions and nonprofits that demonstrate exemplary, measurable efforts in supporting parenting students, said Lina Scott, scholarship coordinator at SAC. “Receiving it is a testament to SAC's ongoing efforts to create an inclusive, supportive campus for student parents.” SAC’s efforts include a range of programs and services aimed at supporting non-traditional students, including dedicated parent parking, flexible class schedules, and access to on-campus childcare. The college also offers targeted academic advising, counseling services, and student-parent organizations that provide critical resources and a sense of community. The certification was announced on Wednesday at the start of a parenting-101 class being held in the library, where members of the campus student parent support group gathered to celebrate National Student Parent Month and learn skills that will help them succeed in the home and at school. Diana Ornela said that the weekly student parent support groups at SAC have helped her feel like she’s “not alone” as she navigates the stress of juggling school, children, and other obligations. “It gives me a sense of relief that I am not the only one struggling as I work to better myself,” she said.  Scott said that investing in innovative programs helped parenting students not only succeed in their educational pursuits but also build pathways to economic mobility and brighter futures for their families. “Our resources for student parents address helping them overcome hurdles that could keep them from achieving their goal.” Rosario Sanchez said that she has relied on SAC’s student parent support group leaders to help her access resources in times of need, including food, diaper, and clothing assistance. “They have been providing so much for my whole family,” Sanchez said. “I feel supported at SAC because I know I  have someone I can go to and feel seen and heard. Now I try to get them involved [in the support group] because it’s really helpful to even just get together at the KidSpot [in the library] and feel like we have a community.” SAC is one of six awardees to receive the FamilyU Seal, which included two nonprofit organizations and four higher education institutions. The first cohort of institutions awarded was in 2023, with Alamo Colleges District’s Palo Alto College among the recipients. “We are so proud of the work we do at SAC, and we are proud to celebrate it,” Scott said. For more information on SAC's family-friendly initiatives, visit alamo.edu/sac/studentparents