Alamo Colleges Student of the Month

November 2011

Paula Englebert

Paula Englebert is the recipient of the November 2011 La Prensa Foundation Student of the Month Scholarship and will receive an award of $500 from the La Prensa Foundation founded by Amelia "Millie" and Tino Duran. She was nominated by the Northwest Vista College Department of Distance Learning.

Paula was born in Cambridge, England, and moved to the U. S. in 1989, settling in San Antonio in 1996. She is a model of dedication and determination. She is currently raising three children—ages 11, 14, and 19. She also works at the college, volunteers at a middle school and in the community, and is taking classes as a full- time student. 

Paula began her academic career at Northwest Vista College in Fall 2010. She is a non-traditional student who began her first day of college classes on her 40th birthday. Since beginning her studies, she has earned 39- credit hours by taking 13 hours per term, including the summer. She currently holds an “A” average in all of her present courses, including MIM (Math Intensive Major) Calculus I and both sections of U.S. History. She also received the President’s Honors Award every semester she has been enrolled. She is truly a model of the NVC value of learning.

Paula is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and she was also awarded the National Science Foundation – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (NSF – STEM) scholarship, for which only 20 individuals were selected. She assists in the 2011 GEMS (Gender Equity in Mathematics and Science) program at NVC. Her goals are to obtain her associate’s degree at NVC, to finish her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a teaching certificate, and, ultimately, to teach high school or college math.

As a teaching major, Paula spent several hours each week completing field service at Connally Middle School. She impressed the teacher greatly with her enthusiasm and knowledge; in fact, the teacher allowed her to develop her own math lesson plan and deliver it from start to finish. On his evaluation of her, the teacher said, “You definitely went above and beyond my expectations,” and he added that the material will benefit the students as they move into high school courses.

Paula models the NVC value of collaboration. In her online American Literature class, the professor commended Paula for her active participation, stating that she “added value to the class community” by “produc[ing] a really fine interactive presentation that incorporated audio and visual elements and an insightful academic critique.” The instructor recognized Paula’s outstanding characteristics as a future teacher, calling her “active, engaged, intelligent, enthusiastic, and open to new ideas,” and she will use Paula’s project as an example for future classes.

Not only is she an outstanding student academically, Paula is also an invaluable member of the Student Support Staff and Distance Learning teams. She was chosen for the campus-wide Foundations of Excellence – Transitions team, a group of employees who will examine and make recommendations on college policy and procedure related to the first-year college student experience. 

She has also excelled as a videographer and web designer for the Distance Learning, Professional Development, and Faculty Development websites. She collaborated with an NVC Digital Media intern to edit and make available to all students several videos that are now linked to the Distance Learning homepage in support of an initiative to improve student preparedness and success in online classes.

She seeks staff development opportunities including the FISH! Philosophy of workplace management and Whale Done leadership programs. She represents NVC in area high schools as a member of the College Connections program, and she has served as a volunteer tutor for college Math and English classes.

Paula also embraces the NVC value of community both on campus and in San Antonio. She assisted with the NVC towel drive for SAMMinistries, and has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America and various 4-H projects. She was a therapeutic horseback riding volunteer, led the Brauchle Elementary PTA’s Fiesta Committee, and remains an active PTA member.  She enjoys reading, movies, music and many outdoor activities such as learning to surf, horseback riding, fishing and camping.

Paula Englebert exemplifies the qualities of academic achievement, collaboration, professionalism, civic engagement, and leadership—both current and future. She so impressed the Distance Learning team that the entire department collaborated on her nomination for this award. Her positive attitude exemplifies the NVC value of joy—she’s simply a fun, happy, cool, and determined person to be around! Finally, and certainly not least, she is an outstanding role model to her daughters—who are already planning their own college careers.