A Lasting Legacy: Founding President’s Commitment to NVC Students Endures

It’s been more than a decade since Dr. Jacqueline Claunch retired as president of Northwest Vista College (NVC), yet she’s still very much an active supporter of the picturesque campus in Westover Hills, which in the fall of 2025 had more than 22,000 students.

Dr. Claunch, who is among the instrumental figures in the college’s early development, served as NVC president from 1998 until her retirement in August 2014. For all her contributions to the college’s growth and success, the Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees honored her with the title of Administrator of Emeritus of Alamo Colleges – Northwest Vista College.

Over the years, Dr. Claunch has continued to stay active with NVC through Friends of the Arts, whose mission is to support and promote programs, events, and students of the Fine and Performing Arts at NVC. She often visits the campus and talks to students about the challenges they face. Her legacy of supporting NVC students can also be seen through the recipients of the Dr. Jacqueline Claunch Legacy Endowed Scholarship, and the Jack Stone Endowed Music Scholarship, which she established in 2013 to honor her late husband. Every Spring semester, NVC offers the Jack Stone Award for New Music, for which community college students from all across the country have the opportunity to compete for a monetary award by submitting their original music composition. Selected finalists have their compositions played by local musicians. The event is held annually at NVC in March.

The Dr. Jacqueline Claunch Legacy Endowed Scholarship was created in her honor in 2016 by college and district employees as well as community members. The scholarship is open to those pursuing a Fine Arts field of study, with a preference given to dance majors. Combined, both scholarships have made a difference in the lives of 44 Northwest Vista College students.

On a recent campus visit, Dr. Claunch shared her thoughts on the legacy of NVC and the role of higher education today.

Q: How would you describe the impact Northwest Vista College has had on the surrounding community over the years?

A: One of the things that I think this college and all the Alamo Colleges has done is serve a diverse community with diverse needs. I remember a specific student that I got to know, and I remember when she graduated. She told me that she’d had a child when she was 16 years old and that she was a single parent. She didn’t think she could go to college but thought that maybe she wanted to be a nurse or work in the medical field. So, she decided to come to Northwest Vista. The young woman was a very good student, but she did not have confidence in herself. She graduated with honors and in the process got a scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin and free housing for herself and her daughter. Had she not found NVC, she may never have had that opportunity.

Q: What are some of the key things NVC did to give students the confidence to succeed?

A: First of all, we had really good advisors, and we had faculty that were very student oriented. They had a passion for teaching and supporting students. Many of those faculty members could have been at a university, focusing on research and a couple of classes to teach each semester. But here, their focus was helping students be successful, and I think that made a real difference for the students. The college also had numerous support services for students. If a student was struggling and needed extra help, that individual had labs where they could go for extra help. I think that also made a difference for students.

Q: What is the role of NVC and other community colleges?

A: We help students get the certificate or the degree that allows them to get a position, and then maybe that’s all they need. If they find out later that they want to advance more, then they can still transfer to a university because community colleges have established transfer opportunities. One of the ways is to help students understand what courses they need to transfer to a four-year institution, whether it’s after they graduate from NVC or after they have taken a year or two of college courses.

Q: You mentioned that when you were president, a major issue was that many community college students lacked confidence in themselves. Do you think that is still an issue for current students?

A: Absolutely, over the years, I’ve continued to talk to students and there’s not a huge difference in what a student has to accomplish in high school now than 25 years ago. So, they still have the same uncertainty and challenges. In fact, in the current societal environment they may present even more challenges.

Q: Lately, there have been many articles and polls examining the value of a college degree. What are your thoughts?

A: Whether it’s a two-year technical degree or a bachelor’s degree, depending on what you’re going to be doing, one or the other — or both— is helpful if you want to advance in your career. There are certificate programs for plumbers, electricians, construction, etc. Although one can be successful without a degree, opportunities often require professional credentials. If you are in health careers (for example), you almost have to have at least a certificate or associate degree to get a well-paying job, and, eventually, one may want to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Support Students and Celebrate 30 Years of Opportunities

Northwest Vista College is celebrating 30 years of Creating Opportunities for Success! If you would like to help NVC students achieve their educational goals, consider donating to the 30th anniversary fund at giving.alamo.edu/nvc.

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