A Full-Circle Journey with Palo Alto College

Submitted by: Destiny Moreno, PAC alumni or former student, PAC staff
Theme: Memories

My connection to Palo Alto College began long before I was old enough to understand its impact. As a second grader, I took swim lessons in the PAC pool, a memory that has stayed with me as the true starting point of my journey. What I didn’t know then was how deeply PAC would shape my life for decades to come. In middle school, I became involved in the Upward Bound program, which brought me back to campus to take summer enrichment courses.

As a young student from the Southside of San Antonio, walking the college halls at that age helped me believe I belonged in higher education and that I could one day be a college graduate. That day came in 2013, when I proudly walked the stage as a Communications major.

The friendships and experiences from that time remain close to my heart—especially the study abroad trip with Dr. Denise Richter, where our class explored Washington, D.C. and New York City. Traveling alongside fellow communications students, I learned beyond the classroom and gained a greater understanding of the world and my place in it.

Graduating from Palo Alto College was a milestone I’ll never forget—one filled with pride, accomplishment, and the support of mentors who believed in me.

 In 2017, I returned to Palo Alto College—this time as a staff member—ready to give back to the place that gave me so much. I’ve now been blessed to serve in a professional capacity, supporting students and events that continue to transform lives on the Southside. From learning to swim as a child to planning events and programs for current PAC students, my story is one of growth, gratitude, and coming full circle. I am proud to be a lifelong member of the Palo Alto College family, and even prouder to represent a college that continues to uplift our community.