This year, the Alamo Colleges District is proud to celebrate the graduation of more than 11,000 students across our five colleges, including nearly 1,500 AlamoPROMISE scholars and 950 high school program graduates who earned their associate degrees or certificates before walking the stage at their high school ceremonies.

While the semester is coming to an end, this is only the beginning for our Alamo Colleges graduates.

Five of our student graduates, one from each of our Alamo Colleges, recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to share experiences they have gained while being Alamo Colleges students and their plans for the future. 

In our newest episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores explores the vital work of the First Responders Academy at San Antonio College – a program that trains more than 500 graduates annually for careers in law enforcement, fire science, correctional science, and emergency medical services.

This episode features a conversation with:

• Zaida Huerta, a First Responders Academy cadet

• Chief Manuel Casarez of the Boerne Fire Department

• Chief John Jahanara of the Balcones Heights Police Department

Together, they discuss what it takes to serve on the front lines and how the Alamo Colleges District is shaping the next generation of first responders through hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum, and strong public safety partnerships.

Want to learn more about San Antonio College’s First Responders Academy? Learn more here.

Cybersecurity is more critical than ever, and the Alamo Colleges District is preparing the next generation of experts. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs are projected to grow by 31% from 2019 to 2029, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled professionals. 

In our latest episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores sits down with Alicia Butler, Academic Engagement Lead at the National Security Agency (NSA) in Texas, and Michael Enriquez, a student in the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity program at St. Philip’s College, to explore how partnerships in higher education are shaping the future of digital security.

Tune in as we discuss:

• How the Alamo Colleges District collaborates with the NSA to expand cybersecurity education.

• The cutting-edge BAT of Cybersecurity degree at St. Philip’s College and its role in San Antonio’s workforce development.

• The personal journey of a St. Philip’s College cybersecurity student preparing for a high-demand career.

We’re thrilled to share an insightful new podcast episode with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. The episode explores our exciting partnership to bridge the gap between higher education and childcare.

In this episode, Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District, discusses how this collaboration transforms access to education and supports student parents. Mariana Perez, a proud UTSA alumna and YMCA of Greater San Antonio member, and Louis Lopez, YMCA of Greater San Antonio CEO, join him as they discuss how the partnership impacts the community. 

During the summer, the partnership served 1,333 students, providing childcare and camp services for Alamo Colleges students and their children.

Some key topics they explored include:

How this partnership benefits families 

How the YMCA of Greater San Antonio is expanding its support to Alamo Colleges students and their families

Learn more about how this initiative is reshaping opportunities for our community

This episode will feature Chef Ana Pulido, a renowned Mexican-American chef, and James Beard Foundation Award winner for Best Chef: Texas. Chef Pulido's inspiring journey from the Rio Grande Valley to national recognition will serve as a beacon for Alamo Colleges District students, especially those in the St. Philip's College Culinary Program. The episode will also include insights from a faculty member and a current student, offering a multi-faceted discussion on education, cultural heritage, and the pursuit of culinary excellence.

Earlier this year, Alamo Colleges and Texas A&M University-San Antonio announced an expanded transfer agreement that enables eligible students to start at any of the five Alamo Colleges and seamlessly transfer to TAMU-SA to complete a four-year degree, with educational costs covered at both institutions. The Promise-to-Promise partnership also ensures automatic admission from Alamo Colleges District to TAMU-SA.

Students like Aubri Lalinde will be among the first to benefit from the new Promise-to-Promise program this fall. A first-generation college student, Aubri recently graduated from Palo Alto College with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration.

In this episode, we explore:

Out of our almost 11,000 graduates, almost 800 are AlamoPROMISE scholars-area high school seniors who completed a certificate or degree program without the financial burden of tuition and other fees.

The semester is ending, and this is only the beginning for our Alamo College graduates.  

Six of our student graduates recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to share experiences they have gained while being Alamo Colleges students and their plans for the future. 

Featured guests: 

Some key concepts they covered include:

To learn more about our grads, visit alamo.edu/grads

Dr. Harrison Keller, Commissioner of Higher Education, is a sixth-generation Texan with nearly twenty-five years of experience in state budget and policy, university administration, fundraising, and building coalitions among higher education institutions, school districts, and policymakers.

Dr. Keller recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to speak about collaborative efforts to expand the Texas talent pipeline and the significance of House Bill 8—a $683 million investment in community colleges aimed at rewarding schools for aiding students in completing their degrees or certificates.

Some key concepts covered during this episode include:

Dr. Martha Kanter, a leading figure in the national education landscape and Senior Fellow at New York University's Steinhardt Institute for Higher Education Policy, works on spearheading initiatives aimed at improving college access, affordability, and quality in American higher education. With her extensive background as the former U.S. Under Secretary of Education, overseeing federal postsecondary policies and programs, Dr. Kanter brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

Since 2018, Dr. Kanter has been an integral partner of the Alamo Colleges District, collaborating on the inception and implementation of what is now known as AlamoPROMISE. AlamoPROMISE is now available to graduating high school students across Bexar County. 

Dr. Kanter and Keren Morin Lugo, Palo Alto College student and AlamoPROMISE Scholar, recently took part in a A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to explore the impact of Promise Programs and their pivotal role in shaping the future of education and social mobility.

Some key concepts they covered include:

To learn more about AlamoPROMISE, visit alamo.edu/promise

In July 2023, Dr. Amy Bosley – an innovative higher education administrator with extensive teaching experience and advanced communication, human resources, and business expertise – began her position as the third president of Northwest Vista College (NVC), a vibrant community of more than 17,000 students and 900 employees.

Dr. Bosley has an extensive track record in higher education and has served in various capacities, including Vice President for Institutional Planning Development and Chief of Staff at Valencia College in Central Florida. She is passionate about the community college mission and the impact that college leaders, faculty, and staff have on students, their families, the workforce, and their community.

Dr. Bosley and NVC student, Daniel Bigler, recently took part in A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores for a conversation on their experiences at NVC and what’s ahead.

Some key concepts covered during this episode include: