Spotlight Series: 2024 NISOD Recipients

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I was adjunct faculty between 1994 – 1999. I was hired full-time in 2000 in the Continuing Education Department and became full-time faculty in 2002 in the Behavioral Sciences Department. I’ve worked at PAC for approximately 23 years as a full-time employee.

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I started in Continuing Education as Director of a HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) distance education program. I have been a full-time faculty member since 2000, teaching psychology classes in the Behavioral Sciences Department. I’ve also served as Chair of the Department and President of the Faculty Senate.

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

I recently received the Mariana Ornelas Trailblazer Award. This is an award given to faculty by faculty. I am very proud of this award. The award points to one of the best parts of working at PAC – an amazing community of caring and concerned faculty and staff. Without a doubt, and no less significant, being in the classroom with students is equally rewarding as working with my colleagues. While it’s true that we are in a position to change the lives of students, the opposite can also be true: students have been part of my personal and spiritual growth.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

There are many! Each day I’m in the classroom, I’m impacted personally. PAC students are the best. They really appreciate the faculty, and they will let you know. Receiving the Mariana Ornelas Trailblazer Award was undoubtedly a peak moment. Also, witnessing how colleagues are quick to help each other when someone is experiencing a hardship always reminds me of the very special place that is Palo Alto College.

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I have been teaching at Alamo Colleges for 16 years. I came to Palo Alto College eight years ago to teach choir as an adjunct faculty member. Later on that fall, I joined the full-time faculty.

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I taught at various campuses throughout my first nine years with Alamo Colleges, including St. Philips and San Antonio College. I instantly noticed something very special about this community at Palo Alto College. I am the daughter of two South American immigrants whose lives were changed drastically by the opportunity to study in the United States. My dad was a lifelong educator and believed and witnessed the power of education to change one’s life! He dedicated his career and life to bringing accessible higher education to his country. I love many things about my work here at Palo Alto College. One of the top is the privilege of seeing this same impact on my students. It is incredible to play a small part in the academic journey of these students whose lives are truly changed by the work we do here at PAC. As an educator, I aim to elevate our student’s curiosity for learning, open opportunities they never dreamed possible, and instill in them the desire to be lifelong learners. In the process, I want to help them grow as thinkers and responsible citizens of their generation, who are kind, honest, compassionate, and creative thinkers.

I have the privilege of working alongside so many brilliant peers. Through faculty development, faculty senate, and other committees, I have had so many opportunities to work alongside the most talented faculty. I learn so much from them; they bring so much innovation and ideas into my classroom.

Also, it is amazing to work at an institution that supports students and faculty. We are supported by a wonderful administration that encourages faculty development and enables us always to try innovative methods, gives us opportunities to grow in and out of the classroom, and allows us to grow initiatives and try new tools that impact our students and community. This administrative support is a privilege I feel very fortunate to have as a performing artist and educator! Without this, our art can’t flourish!

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

I’ve been teaching long enough that I have had the blessing of seeing my students impact our community. Many have gone on to become teachers and musicians in the SA community and beyond and even impacted my own children. It’s a humbling moment to witness this full circle moment.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

I have daily stories I could tell you about that. My students constantly teach me new things, pushing me to be a better teacher, human, friend, mother, and citizen! Through them, I discover new things daily, from innovative technology to perspectives and ideas I would have never seen.

One of the highlights of my time at Palo Alto College was taking five of our Palo Alto College Choir Students to sing at the Sydney Opera House in 2019. They were selected amongst 42 representatives to represent the ‘best of the best’ college student singers worldwide. Three of those students had never been outside of San Antonio before that trip around the world to Australia. One of the students is now a local Middle School Theater teacher. She brings her own students to many of our Teatro Palo Alto and Musica Palo Alto productions!

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District? 

I have been working at Palo Alto College since Fall 2020.   

Tell me about your work here at PAC. 

As a member of the English, World Languages, and INRW Department, I teach writing and literature courses that incorporate real-world issues related to social justice. My passion for storytelling drives my literature courses, which explore the archetypes of heroes, tricksters, and villains as windows into society’s values. We also examine the intersection of science and literature to explore topics like knowledge and embodiment, all with the goal of better understanding what it means to be human. Plus, we get to talk about mad scientists!  

I lead PAC’s Faculty-Student Mentoring program, supporting students inside and outside the classroom. Since Fall 2021, 60 faculty members have mentored over 300 students, many first-generation or first-time in college. Faculty mentors offer personalized advice and genuine care, making a significant difference in students’ lives. If you’re interested in becoming a mentor or have a student who wants to join, let me know!

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job? 

During my first convocation, I remember Palo Alto College President Dr. Robert Garza talking about the importance of corazón at the college and in our work. Since then, his words have resonated with me as I’ve better understood and appreciated our school and personnel. The American naturalist Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “Most [people] live lives of quiet desperation,” for much of my life, I have found this statement to be true – not, however, at PAC. This college is not a place of desperation but of hope and inspiration, saturated with corazón. I see the heart of our institution in many ways and people, from the passion of our faculty to the dedication of our staff (especially the marvelous Sabina Garcia, our department secretary who is constantly rescuing me from my own ineptitude) and all the individuals who work behind the scenes to ensure our campus functions smoothly (like the friendly custodians of San Jacinto Hall). This corazón is undoubtedly what I find most rewarding and meaningful in this job, and it’s something we strive to instill in our students as we work to make the world a better place.       

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth? 

My first formative experience at PAC occurred before I set foot on campus for the first time, as I was hired during the COVID-19 pandemic. After conducting a tri-state move with my spouse, we arrived in San Antonio while much of the city was closed down, and the college held classes remotely. Surrounded by boxes, we got a knock on the door – It was a delivery of welcome cookies and treats from Jenny Scheidt, department chair at the time. This act meant a lot to me as it showed the type of people I would be fortunate to work with. Jenny became my mentor at PAC and showed me the importance of having role models as an educator. At PAC, I have found them in abundance, sometimes in unexpected places: Jenny Scheidt, Patrick Lee, Caroline Maines, Lisa Trevino, Suzel Molina, Dr. Rafael Castillo, and so many more have made an indelible impact on me and constantly serve as sources of both inspiration and guidance. 

I’m a big fan of country music, and I sometimes find myself thinking of a lyric from Tim McGraw’s song “Humble and Kind”: “When you get where you’re going don’t forget turn back around / And help the next one in line / Always stay humble and kind.” My journey at PAC began when someone remembered to turn back around and send me just a small box of cookies. May we all remember to support and encourage each other, as we never know what a difference even the slightest word or deed can make.  

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I have worked as an adjunct at Palo Alto College since 2017 (7 years) and at the Alamo Colleges District since 2014 (10 years).

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

At PAC, I serve as an adjunct faculty member in the arts, specifically in art history. Over the past several years, I have assisted in developing and curating a variety of OER resources and assessments central to our Art History courses here at Palo Alto College. Our goal is to create cost-free materials for students, promote diverse voices and perspectives beyond the standard Western Artistic Canon, and increase the accessibility of our OER resources. In my work, I aim to provide equitable access to educational materials, unhindered by financial burden or the ability to access and develop content that is engaging and relevant to the lives of our students.

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

The students. That is why I am here — interacting with students on campus or online, in class, in the halls, or at an event. The most rewarding moment of what I do is when I see the information ‘click,’ and new meaningful connections are made in the minds of a student, and I see that subtle change in their expression. That brief moment of discovery sparks more questions and deeper conversations. From there, we can explore things together, allowing them to express their perspectives that affect their learning and my teaching approach.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

I predominantly teach online, so I have had limited experience on campus. However, one of the most impactful conversations I had with a student at PAC changed my outlook on the information we are presenting and its impact on students. Before we adopted OER resources, we used one of the standard textbooks that heavily emphasized the artistic developments, histories, and perspectives of the Western tradition, with little to no space for discussions beyond that sphere. It was during this time that a student approached me to voice a concern that they were finding it difficult to connect with the material because it elevated and prioritized a cultural perspective that was not their own, making them question why their cultural histories, backgrounds, and achievements were not seen as equally valid. This conversation made me realize that we needed to develop materials relevant to our student’s individual and cultural identities that spoke to the problems and questions they could relate to.

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I’ve worked at Palo Alto College since August 2021. I am going on two and a half years.

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I teach theatre and have directed two theatre shows at PAC.

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

Through acting exercises, my students can express a range of emotions in a safe space. This process also helps students practice listening, compassion, and empathy. When a student expresses an understanding of another person’s situation (such as in a play), that’s the most rewarding part of my job.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?   

In the Fall of 2022, I had the opportunity to direct the world premiere of a play, Camilla La Magica Makes Tamales, adapted by Nicholas Castanon. During this process, the student actors and I had the opportunity to collaborate with the playwright, and together, we came up with suggestions for the script and created theatrical sequences to bring the play to life. 

We had a talk-back with the audience one night after the show; the audience felt connected to the show as they saw themselves and their community represented on stage. The whole experience of working in this production helped me grow as an individual, and reinforced my desire to tell stories that resonate with the culture of San Antonio.

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District? 

This is my fifth year teaching at PAC. 

Tell me about your work here at PAC. 

I'm an Adjunct Faculty member at Palo Alto with the distinct honor of teaching in our Business Management department. I have taught many courses, from Principles of Marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to E-Commerce and E-Business Management. 

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job? 

The most rewarding part of teaching for me is connecting students with their passions and providing valuable insights they can apply to their current careers or small businesses.  

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?  

In the fall of 2023, I created and hosted our first-ever PAC Business Entrepreneurship Summit Transformation event. I was extremely humbled by the number of students who attended and participated. You never truly know how impactful an event will be until you finally commit and execute. In my gut, I knew it was the right thing for our students and community of business owners looking for guidance. In the process, I was inspired by all the stories of our panelists and the overwhelming responses from our students thanking us for putting this event together. It taught me that even the smallest ideas can generate the most significant impact. Never stop dreaming because anything is possible. 

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I have worked at Palo Alto College for 22 years.

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I am one of PAC’s English faculty, and I have taught Composition I, Composition II, and Technical Writing. I have also taught Honors classes. I currently have the pleasure of serving as Interim Chair for the English, World Languages, and INRW department. 

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is working with students; every day, I am humbled and honored to play a small part in their academic journey. They are my inspiration and the reason for everything I try to do, and I am beyond grateful for all of the gifts they share each semester. 

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

Every day, I learn and grow at PAC. Whether I am learning from the amazing faculty in my department and witnessing their tireless dedication to our students or trying to navigate Banner under the patient tutelage of our wonderful administrative services specialist, Sabina Garcia, I am constantly growing. Suzel Molina and Amanda Harrison (and the entire team at the TLC) have assisted me in understanding the ways of OER, ePortfolios, Canvas, and so much more. During my service as Interim Chair, Interim Dean Jenny Scheidt and the Chairs have supported me with kindness, generosity, and patience. There are so many people in the PAC family who have shaped me, and I hope, have made me a better person. 

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District? 

I have worked at PAC since 2020 but have been with the Alamo Colleges since 2011 

Tell me about your work here at PAC. 

I am the Composition and INRW lead in the English, World Languages, and INRW department and QEP Co-Director. I serve as a faculty advisor with Eleven Rivers and secretary for the Faculty Senate. I am part of Alamo COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) with an instructor at PUC Campinas, Brazil. My work at PAC involves supporting, encouraging, and enhancing educational experiences in the classroom and beyond.

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job? 

Learning from and with such an amazing, diverse, and inspiring community.  

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth? 

One experience that impacted my personal growth was walking into San Jacinto in 2020 as a member of the PAC faculty. Before this, the last time I stepped through those doors, I was a student. So much of my personal growth occurred and continues to occur within these walls.  

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

Seven years in February

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I am fortunate to serve as the Director of Information Technology, leading the Information Technology Services Department at Palo Alto College. Our focus is to deliver and support leading innovative technology in service to our Students, Faculty, Staff, and Community. 

I am also fortunate to serve as the Palo Alto College Staff Senate Vice President and District-wide Executive Staff Senate President. 

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

To provide technology offerings to students, faculty, and staff to positively impact our students' lives and their future. Seeing our students graduate is the most rewarding part, as this is a time to celebrate their successes, confirming that we are successful in our mission.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

One experience that has had a significant impact on my personal and professional growth is participating in Leadership training opportunities within the Alamo Colleges District. These trainings have provided insight into myself as a leader and shared many different skills and tools that have positively impacted my leadership abilities.  

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I have been at PAC for six years and with the Alamo Colleges District for about eight years. 

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I feel incredibly grateful to serve as Dean of Performance Excellence at PAC. In this role, I get to work closely with amazing colleagues in Institutional Research, the Budget Office, Grants Development, and the Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grant to support the continual improvement and advancement of our College’s performance across several areas. 

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

The most rewarding aspects of my job stem from the direct impact I have on the lives of students and staff. Every day, I have the opportunity to foster a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals can thrive personally and professionally. I am thankful for the opportunity to lead such dedicated teams. 

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

My experience with the Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grant over the last year has been transformative on a personal level. It pushed me to embrace innovation in a completely new area for me and expand my leadership skills. Witnessing the impact programming and supportive services have on our participants reaffirmed my passion for serving our community and commitment to making educational opportunities more accessible.

Delilah is a first-generation student and is a product of Palo Alto College. Before arriving at PAC, she spent more than 21 years as a practitioner supporting non-profit, community-based organizations and grant programming. A champion of advocacy for students and serving the community, Delilah began her professional journey at PAC in 2016. She was instrumental in developing PAC’s Advocacy Programming, helping establish theSHARE Center, Housing Assistance Program, and Social Work Internship Program while serving as Project Director for the Title V HSI. Additionally, Delilah created PAC’s Advocacy Summit series bringing nationally renowned speakers to theCollege to discuss basic needs insecurity impacting community college students. She is committed to creating opportunities for others to be their “Best Self.”

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I’ve been with PAC for 18 years (19 this coming May)

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I currently serve as one of two College Events Coordinators. I lead our community-wide events, including Eggstravaganza, PACfest, Pumpkin Patch / The Samantha Tapia 5K/10K Run, Celebracion, and Winter Wonderland. 

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

During my time at PAC, I would like to acknowledge my former supervisors in previous roles for their invaluable guidance and support in helping me develop and hone the skills necessary for my current position. Their teachings have been immensely beneficial, and I owe much of my growth and success to them.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

The experience of observing how much our external events mean to the community has had a profound impact on me. I am now more determined than ever to ensure that our future events continue to bring joy and encourage the community to keep coming back to our campus year after year. After all, PAC is where the children and adults of our community gather to make beautiful memories.

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District? 

It will be 20 years in September of this year.

Tell me about your work here at PAC.  

I am an admin for Career and Technical Education. I support the faculty and staff in scheduling and ordering things for them.

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job? 

A rewarding part of my job is helping students and receiving a grateful response from them.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?  

Yes. I credit Sabina Cerda-Garcia. I used to be a clerk typist in her department. She encouraged me to apply for what used to be the Senior Secretary position (now it is referred to as the Administrative Services Specialist position).

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I have worked at Palo Alto College for nine years. I started as a student and work-study in 2016. My first year was in Community Programs, and then I transferred to Student Life as an administrative services specialist. In 2021, I was promoted to the Coordinator of Student Life. I have been privileged to serve as the Interim Director of Student Success in the Office of Student Life for the past year.

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

As the Interim Director of Student Success, I oversee campus life, which includes Student Life and Athletics. I am responsible for events and programming utilizing the guidance of the Student Activities Fee (SAF) funding and the SAF Committee. Events organized by the Student Life department serve as intentional extra-curricular, co-curricular, and service-learning opportunities for our students. 

I also support and guide the Student Organizations with advisors and members. In collaboration, we recognize our cultural events, such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Heritage Month, and we celebrate our national holidays like MLK, Cesar Chavez, and Pride Parade by participating and encouraging participation in city-wide events. 

My work in Student Life aligns with our Educate South initiative by collaborating with the Southside community through opportunities such as Winter Wonderland, Eggstravaganza, Pacfest, Pumpkin Patch, and Recruitment events. I serve as a chair of PACfest and Chair of Culture events. I have served in the Emerging Leader Program and The Leadership Academy.

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

As the Interim Director of Student Success and Student Life, I play a crucial role in enhancing the overall student experience. We have various student organizations and plan campus-wide collaborations with other departments for yearly events. We aim to provide meaningful events for our students through the Fall, Spring, and summer semesters. I also address the diverse needs and interests of our student body.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

I am so blessed and grateful to have received this NISOD award. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to my PAC colleagues. They have been a constant support throughout my career, making me a better person. Palo Alto has given me unique opportunities; I was the first student to be Queen of Pacfest. As a result, I have been very involved in leadership opportunities at PAC that have led me through numerous in my nine years at PAC, from being a work-study, peer advisor, peer ambassador, admin in Student Life, coordinator, and now the Interim Student Life Director. I love giving our PAC students those opportunities, too. 

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I have been part of the PAC family for the past eight years.

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I am fortunate to serve as the Enrollment Team Lead of Student Success, overseeing the Welcome Center. My job is to help ease the admissions process for prospective students wanting to attend Palo Alto College. I truly believe that the work that we are doing every day by aiding prospective students to enroll in college is truly changing our community and affecting our new generations to come, and for that, I will put in all the hours needed to serve our students. 

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

Many things make my job rewarding, like working with an amazing team that genuinely cares about students and our community. However, nothing can beat the special feeling you get when students share how grateful they are for our help. You get to see their excitement about becoming a college student and how grateful they are for the assistance they received from us. I know that my job is a little piece in changing generations to come as well helping our community change for the better and that is more than enough for me to keep doing the work.

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

I can honestly say that from the moment I stepped onto this campus eight years ago, I knew that Palo Alto College would be where I could grow professionally and build a career doing something I love. The leadership I’ve had at Palo Alto College has been extortionary, and I have always been provided a seat at the table, along with experiences that have helped develop me as a professional in this field. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those leaders who have provided those opportunities to me and mentored me along the way. I have also had many interactions with students that have impacted how I do my job and why I do my job; without our students, all this would be for nothing, and that is the best experience I can share with others.

How long have you worked at Palo Alto College/Alamo Colleges District?

I have worked at Palo Alto College for six years as a student-facing staff member within advocacy, financial literacy, career readiness, and experiential learning. In my early years of working for the college, I played a part in creating advocacy and financial literacy services and programs that have made the institution the best in the country. I started in the Student Health, Advocacy, Resource and Engagement Center as a social work intern working on my undergraduate degree in Spring 2018. Upon graduation, I was a Senior Advisor overseeing the financial wellness initiative at PAC, which included student emergency aid and financial education from Fall 2018 to Spring 2021. Currently, I am the Career Experience Team Leader overseeing student support services around career readiness and experiential learning at Palo Alto College. 

Tell me about your work here at PAC.

I am fortunate to serve as a Career Experience Team Leader at Palo Alto College. Within the PAC Center for Career and Experiential Learning I support the implementation of career readiness and financial literacy services and events and experiential learning opportunities across the institution. Utilizing my education of social work practice with Hispanic children and families I am able to integrate my unique lens to view students’ needs from a holistic perspective to better serve the student demographic. As a support system for a predominately Hispanic, female, and student-parent community I am intentional in always providing career services with a student’s-first and basic needs mindset. Through the abundant faculty and staff relationships I have fostered previously I intentionally increase the access of student support services and enhance all student career experiences. In alignment to the institution’s mission to empower the community for success I continue to strategically guide the development of well-rounded contributing members of society through education attainment and development of skills and hands-on experiences. In addition to advocacy, career readiness, and experiential learning I now co-chair the PAC LeadHERs women mentorship program with Carmen Velasquez. 

What is the most rewarding or meaningful part of your job?

The ability to impact a communities’ socioeconomic status and quality of life through education, skill development, and hands-on experiences is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. As a college graduate (I hold a Master’s and Bachelor’s from Our Lady of the Lake University) I understand how important it is for students to be equipped with fundamental skills and hands-on experiences. In reflection of my schooling, it was the long-term volunteer work within the medical field, internships within advocacy and in mental health that prepared me not only for the workforce but specifically for my leadership roles within higher education. Utilizing my personal and professional experiences I am able to help our first-gen students find opportunities for internships, employment, volunteer work, and within student organizations. Through hands-on experiences and skill development I am able to empower individuals to obtain competitive paying jobs within their field of study to ultimately disrupt generational cycles. 

Can you describe an experience you had on campus that significantly impacted you in your personal growth?

My professional development was cultivated through intentional guidance from mentors in my early career. The ability to articulate myself verbally and in writing is essential to building rapport, creating awareness, and strengthening buy-in around the initiatives I oversee. During my role as a social work intern in 2018 I worked directly with the student emergency aid program as a case manager for students receiving advocacy services. I recall towards the end of my internship being asked by my dean at the time Katherine Beaumont Doss to co-present with her on the work I was doing through emergency aid. As a natural introvert the proposal did not peak my interest and was accompanied with anxiety when I realized my audience was the PAC president at the time Dr. Mike Flores. I remember this so clearly because it was the first time I met someone who believed in me more than I believed in myself. The coaching and encouragement I received from Katherine was so empowering and was the catalyst for my love of public speaking today. As a result of this I have felt well-equipped to represent Palo Alto College at local, national, and international conferences around the work I have led. Fast forward to today I continuously receive inquiries from higher education institutions looking for guidance on best practices as seen at Palo Alto College. In addition, this encouraged me to be for others what Katherine was for me through the creation of professional development trainings for our student employees around public speaking.