Alamo Colleges District Announces 80 Champions of Opportunity During 80th Anniversary Year

As part of its 80th Anniversary celebration, the Alamo Colleges District proudly recognizes 80 Champions of Opportunity,  a distinguished group of leaders, advocates, and community partners whose vision, generosity, and service have opened doors of opportunity for generations of students.

For eight decades, the Alamo Colleges District has transformed lives through the power of education. 

From the earliest days of community college education in San Antonio, champions have shaped this district’s legacy. Leaders like J.O. Loftin, who helped define the early vision of community college access in 1945. Pioneers like Artemisia Bowden, whose leadership at St. Philip’s College established an enduring educational legacy on the East Side.

That spirit continued through trailblazers like Dr. Adelina Silva, the Alamo Colleges District’s longest-serving administrator and Vice Chancellor for Student Success Emeritus — a first-generation college student whose life’s work reflects what happens when resilience meets opportunity.

Education advocates such as Dr. Jeanette Ball helped make Karen Wagner High School the first school in San Antonio where 100% of high school seniors were committed to AlamoPROMISE. Community stewards like Brittany Barnes and Harrison Barnes, who model servant leadership, to civic champions Mike Beldon and Louise Beldon, who continue to invest in education and community impact.

“Being named a Champion of Opportunity is about celebrating the people who turn belief into action,” said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor. “For 80 years, our community has shown that when one person invests in opportunity, entire families change, neighborhoods rise, and generations shift. These champions embody the spirit that fuels our moonshot of ending poverty through education and training.”

Today, that spirit lives on through AlamoPROMISE, workforce partnerships, and the more than 90,000 learners served each semester. Throughout the anniversary year, the district will share the stories of its Champions of Opportunity,  individuals whose impact reflects a shared belief that education transforms lives.

In partnership with KLRN and IMG Studio, a documentary capturing the 80-year journey of the Alamo Colleges is scheduled for release next month, and a commemorative book is also in the works to preserve the stories, milestones, and the people who built the Alamo Colleges District's legacy. 

Click here to view the Alamo Colleges District Champions of Opportunity and to learn about their impact on the Alamo Colleges.