FANs: Friends of the Arts at NVC
About FANs
You can help Northwest Vista College students transform their imagination into reality. Your impulse to give can turn into something tangible for students with artistic dreams, an inspired painting, a professional performer or a celebrated artist.
Inspiration.
Education.
A thousand futures.
Because we dare to imagine the possibilities...
At Northwest Vista College, we believe that artists represent the finest of human potential.
Mission
Friends of the Arts (FANs) supports and promotes the programs, events, and students of the Fine and Performing Arts at Northwest Vista College and beyond.
Vision
A flourishing arts community at Northwest Vista College.
Values
FANs commitment to Social and Racial Justice, and Inclusion will inform and guide all aspects of our work. We believe placing these values at the forefront of our work cultivates artists who are true agents of change and connects our community to the world in meaningful and creative ways.
Membership:
Pay Here
(Select NVC FANs in the Designation section)
Donations:
Click Here to Make a Donation(Under the Designation section, choose NVC FANs General Support)
Board Members:
Dr. Arnoldo Vela
Dr. Arnoldo Vela
Executive Board Member
Dr. Vela is a native Texan, born in Rio Grande City. His first full-time job was in San Antonio as a Circulation Manager for the San Antonio Express-News. He joined the Air Force at the tail end of the Vietnam War and flew as a Radar Navigator in B-52s. He earned an MBA from Chapman College and was hired to teach at the Air Force Academy.
He was selected for an Area Studies Program at the University of Texas at Austin and earned a PhD in Latin American Studies. Upon return to the Academy, he taught Spanish, American Political Science, and International Relations and earned the rank of Associate Professor.
Upon retiring from the Air Force, he went to work as a Foreign Service Officer serving at several oversees posts as a consular and management officer. On tours in Washington, D.C., he served as Staff Assistant and as International Relations Officer in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs. He also served as a Pearson Fellow in the U.S. Senate with a portfolio of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Trade. On an exchange tour with the Department of Defense, he served as Chief of the Democracy Division teaching courses on democracy for Latin American military officers and enlisted personnel as well as security studies for officers participating in Armed Forces Staff College courses at Fort Benning, Georgia. Since retiring, he has enjoyed teaching Federal and Texas Government at Northwest Vista College. He is active in the local community and appreciates the opportunity to advance the careers of community college students in both academic and artistic endeavors.
