Engineering a Brighter Future: Isai Silva's Story of Hope and Opportunity

As Isai Silva prepared to graduate from Marshall High School, he dreamed of one day making an impact on the world through his passion for engineering and computer science. However, the thought of managing the demands of an engineering major while working to cover college tuition felt overwhelming as a first-generation college student. 

That all changed when Isai learned he was eligible to have 100% of his Alamo Colleges tuition and fees covered by AlamoPROMISE. 

“I once thought pursuing a higher education was far out of reach. But AlamoPROMISE gave me a chance,” shared Isai. 

Isai is currently enrolled in the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Northeast Lakeview College (NLC). The program enables students to co-enroll at NLC and Texas A&M, saving money during their first two years by taking engineering courses taught by Texas A&M faculty. 

The Engineering Academy has helped Isai develop a strong foundation that will prepare him for further education and a future career in Mechatronics, an engineering field that blends mechanical and electrical engineering with computer science.  

“The guidance and encouragement of the NLC staff helped me accelerate through my coursework, save expenses, and pursue my engineering degree,” said Isai. 

Despite the rigorous demands of his studies, AlamoPROMISE has alleviated Isai's financial burden, allowing him to concentrate on his studies and remain active outside the classroom as a competitive swimmer. 

During the November 2025 Alamo Colleges District (ACD) Board of Trustees Meeting, Isai was recognized as the November 2025 AlamoPROMISE Student of the Month. 

He concluded his acceptance speech by expressing his gratitude, saying, “Thank you for this honor and for believing in students like me.”  

In the near future, Isai plans to complete his studies at NLC and transfer to Texas A&M College Station to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a focus on Mechatronics. His ultimate goal is to create intelligent systems and automated products that can make a difference in people's lives.