A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Flores

How can we prepare the next generation of engineers to meet the needs of a growing Texas?

In this episode of A Seat at the Table, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores sits down with David Zachry, Chief Executive Officer of Zachry Corporation and Zachry Construction Corporation, to discuss engineering education, workforce development, and creating accessible pathways for students to pursue careers in engineering.

A third-generation member of the Zachry family and a civil engineer by training, David Zachry brings more than four decades of experience in the construction and engineering industry. He shares his perspective on preparing future engineers and building a skilled workforce to support Texas' continued growth.

The conversation also highlights Zachry Corporation's $2 million investment in the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Alamo Colleges District's Northeast Lakeview College. The gift supports scholarships, program resources, and student services, helping more students pursue an affordable pathway to an engineering degree.

Learn more about the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Northeast Lakeview College:
https://www.alamo.edu/nlc/engineeringacademy

Subscribe to A Seat at the Table for more conversations about education, workforce development, and the future of our community.

he future of work is changing, and strong partnerships are helping Texas build the workforce it needs.

Texas employers need skilled talent to keep pace with a changing economy. At the same time, students and working adults need accessible pathways to good jobs and long-term careers.

In this episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores sits down with Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza to discuss the evolving needs of employers, the importance of short-term workforce training, and how education and workforce partnerships can expand opportunity.

They also discuss the launch of the Alamo Technical Institute, a new one-stop gateway connecting learners to career-aligned training and industry certifications while helping employers build a stronger talent pipeline.

Together, they explore how education, workforce, and industry partnerships can strengthen families, support economic growth, and build the workforce of tomorrow.

Visit alamo.edu/ati to learn more about the Alamo Technical Institute.

Graduation may be over, but the stories behind the caps and gowns are worth hearing.

This year, the Alamo Colleges District celebrated more than 15,000 degrees and certificates earned by the Class of 2026, including AlamoPROMISE scholars and high school students getting a head start on college.

In this special graduation episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores and Student Trustee Josiah sit down with one graduate from each college to reflect on their journey, what shaped their experience at the Alamo Colleges, and what comes next.

From workforce training to college degrees, these graduates represent resilience, opportunity, and a brighter future for our community.

We’re #AlamoPROUD to celebrate the next generation of leaders, workers, and changemakers.

Visit alamo.edu/grads to learn more about the Class of 2026.

How can the arts open doors and create opportunities for students?

Join Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores in conversation with Vincent Valdez, inaugural Artist in Residence for the Alamo Colleges District, and James Miller, Professor of Art at Northeast Lakeview College and member of the District Arts Commission.

Together, they explore how innovative arts initiatives and hands-on learning experiences are creating meaningful pathways for students. Discover how creativity transforms lives, strengthens communities, and expands opportunity across San Antonio and beyond.

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: