Palo Alto College honored as a Healthy Workplace

Palo Alto College was one of several organization honored on Tuesday, May 21, by the Mayor’s Fitness Council and the San Antonio Business Group on Health through the 2013 Healthy Workplace Recognition Program for efforts to encourage employee health through physical activity, nutrition, smoking cessation, and health education.

Palo Alto College was recognized at the bronze level in the medium and large worksite category (an organization with more than 200 employees). San Antonio College, another of the Alamo Colleges, was also recognized during the program at the silver-level in the medium and large worksite category.

Click here to read more from Jessica Belasco, Health & Fitness writer at the San Antonio Express-News.

Palo Alto College accepts an award from the 2013 Healthy Workplace Recognition Program on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

Former PAC students compete in NASA competition

A special congratulations goes out to nine former Palo Alto College engineering students who received their bachelor degrees from Texas A&M University – Kingsville in May 2013. Anthony David “Cowboy” Alvarado Sr., Jose Villarreal Garcia, Fermin Medina, Marisa Guzman, Anna Leija, Norma Pena, Nicholas Haliscak, Matt Burke, and Pat Horner (Fall 2012) all successfully transferred to the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at TAMUK upon their completion at Palo Alto College.

These former students collectively studied in multiple fields, including Mechanical, Architectural, Civil, and Electrical Engineering. They were represented among “Who’s Who of U.S. University Students 2012”, were members of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society at TAMUK, and received individual Honors from their respective fields of study.

Earlier this spring, two of the nine graduates – Anthony Alvarado and Jose Garcia – were members of a group of students from TAMUK that competed in NASA’s 20^th Annual Great Moonbuggy Race at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Click here to read a news story from KIII-TV in Corpus Christi.

To learn more about the Great Moonbuggy Race, click here.

West Villaret project mobilizes

New four-lane roadway to replace outdated
two lanes in front of Palo Alto College 

Through the efforts of Councilman Rey Saldaña, Palo Alto College and City officials, the reconstruction of West Villaret Boulevard will begin before the end of May. The contractor is already making preparations to transform the existing two lanes into four lanes with a turn lane, bike lanes, sidewalks and an improved drainage system. The project limits are from State Highway 16 to Jennifer Street.

“We need to keep pace with the tremendous growth and interest in the services that Palo Alto College provides. This project aligns public funds with the vision of a growing southside institution,” said Councilman Saldaña.

The West Villaret Project is possible due to the participation of Palo Alto College, which donated right-of-way along the project limits. Palo Alto also contracted with Bain Medina Bain to design the project before turning it over to the City of San Antonio.

“Palo Alto College has served as a gateway to higher education for over 25 years. Through the efforts of Councilman Saldana, community leaders and residents, Villaret Boulevard will now provide access to education even easier and safer,” said Dr. Michael Flores, President of Palo Alto College.

Once construction begins, motorists in the area will see minor traffic alterations and should follow the direction of posted signs and traffic control officers. Project construction is estimated to be completed by May 2014. The project is funded by the voter approved 2012-2017 Bond Program and 2007 Bond savings.

“The Villaret project will have an impact on residents and students, so Capital Improvements Management Services is committed to completing this project on time and on budget,” said Mike Frisbie, City Engineer and Director of the Capital Improvements Management Services Department.

Pronto Sandblasting & Coating & Oilfield Services Company, Inc. was awarded the $5.3 million contract by City Council in April. Other partners include the San Antonio Water System and CPS Energy, which will reimburse the City $729,931 for water/sewer construction and $232,230 for gas line construction, respectively.

 

Check out Texas Public Radio’s coverage here.

4 PAC employees graduate from ALAS

From left, Diana Rangel, Katherine Beaumont Doss, Natalie Barajas, and Chris Delgado.

Four outstanding Palo Alto College staff members graduated from the Alamo Colleges Leadership Academy for Success – ALAS – during a ceremony on Friday.

The four are Natalie Barajas, Public Information Officer in the Public Relations Office; Katherine Beaumont Doss, Director, Welcome Advising Center; Christopher Delgado, Director, Information & Communications Technology; and Diana Rangel, Senior Advisor, Welcome Advising Center.

The ALAS participants, who are recommended by the College, spend one Friday a month working with others in the program and spend some other hours doing projects with their cohorts.  They each are provided a mentor to help them with leadership skills.  Developing leaders is the key goal of the program, which finished its sixth year.  They use Franklin Covey’s curriculum, Leadership: Great Leaders, Great Team, Great Results program.

During the experience, participants are exposed to key strategies that impact the vision and mission of the Alamo Colleges.

PAC to present honorary degree at Commencement Ceremony

Norma Reyes, who has been active in business and the San Antonio community, will receive an honorary Associate degree during Palo Alto College’s Commencement Ceremony at 7 p.m. on May 16 at Freeman Coliseum.

Norma Reyes

The degree is the eleventh honorary degree approved by the Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees.  It is presented for her outstanding public service to the Alamo Colleges and community and her significant contributions to society at large.  She will receive a framed certificate and a medallion.

Mrs. Reyes began her career specializing in life insurance at both USAA and John Hancock.  She also was a travel agent and worked directly with customers at US Air.

Mrs. Reyes is a board member for the Bexar County Family Justice Center and San Antonio Can High School Development Board, serves as a commissioner for the San Antonio Fiesta Commission, and is a past board member of the Museo Alameda.  Avance honored her as Mother of the Year in 2008.

She has been active raising funds for scholarships, including raising a record-breaking amount for the LULAC Council #2 Reina de las Flores program that awarded scholarships to 25 first-time parents and their young children.

Mrs. Reyes is President of Reyes Automotive Group and worked at Reyes Industries, the family business she started with her husband, Fernando, who served as Rey Feo LX.  They are parents of three children.

Approximately 450 of the college’s graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony where they will receive Associate degrees and Certificates of Completion. In addition, students in the Gateway to College program who have completed their high school requirements will be recognized.

San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro is the speaker.  Palo Alto College, one of the Alamo Colleges, now serves more than 9,000 students.

PAC to honor Outstanding Former Student

Patricia Galán-Cisneros

Palo Alto College graduate Patricia Galán-Cisneros will be honored as the first Outstanding Former Student during Palo Alto College’s Commencement Ceremony at 7 p.m. on May 16 at Freeman Coliseum.

Mrs. Cisneros was selected from nominations solicited by the College and based on professional achievement, community service, and support of education.

Mrs. Cisneros earned her Associate of Arts in 1995 and her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 1997.  She earned two Master’s degrees – an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry in 2004 from Oblate School of Theology and a master’s in social work at Our Lady of the Lake University in 2006.

Mrs. Cisneros was an active member of the Catholic Campus Ministry at PAC and credits the organization’s advisor, Julie Kern Gobel, as her role model.  She has continued her passion for serving others by working with at-risk youth, senior citizens, adolescent offenders, and homeless citizens at a variety of organizations, including Parent Child Incorporated and SAMM Ministries.

She currently is Community Liaison for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.  She also is an adjunct faculty for the School of Social Work at OLLU.  In 2012, she was awarded the Las Estrellas de Tejas Award from Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas.

She is married to James Cisneros and they are parents of a 4-year-old son.

Approximately 450 of the college’s graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony where they will receive Associate degrees and Certificates of Completion. In addition, students in the Gateway to College program who have completed their high school requirements will be recognized.

Graduation Festival brings excitement

Hundreds of future graduates collected their commencement gowns and mortarboards and met with employers and universities during Graduation Festival on Wednesday.

Student Success staff  shared their enthusiasm and food as they got final instructions for the ceremony, which is May 16 at 7 p.m. at Freeman Coliseum.

At the same time, current students were encouraged to Register Before Vacation in the Center for Academic Transitions.

Graduation Festival drew hundreds of participants.

Food was available.

Trying on that coveted gown.