Vice President for Student Success

Dr. Hong earned her doctorate from Columbia University in special education in addition to three masters in Educational Leadership & Policy Administration, Instructional Practices for Diverse Learners, and as a Learning Specialist, also from the same institution. Dr. Hong has been a professor for more than 22 years and has taught in New York, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Texas, Turkey, Qatar, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Guatemala.

Dr. Hong’s research examines the barriers students face as they transition to and through college, particularly for low-income, first-generation, minorities, and students with disabilities. Her research has been cited in major publications such as Handbook of Adult Learning published by the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education, Higher Education Abstracts published by the Wiley Library of Higher Education, and Advanced Instructional Principles for Students with Severe Disabilities published by Vanderbilt University.

Her line of research aligns with the priorities of the National Board of Educational Sciences and the Department of Education on what works and what is problematic in supporting diverse learners. In 2012, her research on the longitudinal analyses of more than 6,000 college students was selected as the finalist pioneer breakthrough by the National Resource Center on Experience of First-Year Student Learning and Transition. She also sits on the Oxford Educational Research Advisory Board.

Dr. Hong is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Senior Fulbright Scholar, Senior Fulbright Specialist, and Fulbright Hays Fellow Awards. She was appointed by the U.S. State Department, Bureau of International Programs, as Speaker Specialist & Expert on Disability and Inclusion. She consults regularly for U.S. Embassies worldwide on high-impact practices such as “My Aspiration Plan” in improving student success, particularly for marginalized and at-risk populations.

Dr. Hong is also the First Honorable Visiting Scholar to the Taiwan Municipal University of Education. She is a graduate of the American Academic Leadership “Becoming a Provost Academy” sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Hong is the recipient of the International Teacher of Honor Award from Kappa Delta Pi, the international education honor society and the Exemplary Faculty Award from Brigham Young University–Hawaii. She is also a certified special educator, school principal, and district supervisor. She had served as an education specialist for Fairfax County, Virginia Department of Family Services, Office for Children – Institute for Early Learning, and most recently, as Dean of University College at Texas A&M International University in Laredo.


Deans

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Dean for Student Success

Christina Horton
(210) 486-0998
chorton17@alamo.edu

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Dean for Student Success

Amy Chaye Peña
(210) 486-1209
apena259@alamo.edu

Directors

Martin Ortega

Director, Admissions and Records

Martin Ortega
(210) 486-0721
jortega@alamo.edu

Martin Ortega

Director, Advising

Dr. Fidel Bem
(210) 486-0141
fbem@alamo.edu
website

Director, Career Services

Sabrina Macal-Polasek
(210) 486-0365
smacal@alamo.edu
website

 

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Director, Student Accessibility Services

Ben Romo
(210) 486-1639
bromo19@alamo.edu
website

 

Dr. Mary Helen Vera

Director, Empowerment Center

Dr. Mary Helen Vera
(210) 486-0455
mvera@alamo.edu 
website

Bonita Amaya

Director, Enrollment

Bonita Amaya
(210) 486-0224
bamaya11@alamo.edu
website

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Interim Director, Project Apoyo Grant

Christina Horton
(210) 486-0998
chorton17@alamo.edu

Erica Alvarez

Director, Student Advocacy Center and Counseling

Jillian Denman
(210) 486-1111
jdenman5@alamo.edu
website

Director, Student Conduct and Title IX

Ida Lomas
(210) 486-1420
ilomas@alamo.edu
website

 

Jillian Denman

Director, Student Life

Dr. Jacob-Aidan Martinez
(210) 486-1208
jmartinez932@alamo.edu 
website

 

Camille Cartwright

Director, TRiO STEM SSS and TRiO Veterans SSS

Erica Alvarez
(210) 486-1702
ealvarez32@alamo.edu
website (TRiO STEM)
website (TRiO Veterans)

Esmeralda Nandin

Director, TRiO Upward Bound - STEM

Esmeralda Nandin
(210) 486-0940
enandin2@alamo.edu
website

Director, Veterans Affairs

Tim Pair
(210) 486-0342
tpair1@alamo.edu
website

 

 

 

About the Student Success Division  

We invite you to navigate our website and become familiar with the programs and services we offer. The Division of Student Success consists of several areas within the College that offer various support services. These services include:

  • C-Prep/Bae-B-Safe
  • Graduation
  • New Student Orientation

The Division of Student Success provides you with co-curricular opportunities that are essential in enriching your college experience. You are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities and become involved in your campus community. Student engagement, together with academics, creates a whole-student experience that will prepare you for the next step in your future.  

Student Success has a dedicated staff that is committed to supporting you through a student-centered environment that provides access and opportunity.  Our goal is that you achieve yours!  

SOBI

SOBI-Strategies of Behavioral Intervention Report Form is available to those who wish to report concerning behavior. 

If you have a concern about a student, you are encouraged to notify the appropriate personnel by clicking the SAC Cares link here.

When completing this form, please include your name and contact information and provide as much detailed information regarding the incident as possible. Although anonymous reports may be submitted, we encourage you to include your contact information so that we may follow up with you for any further information or clarification that may be necessary.

Once an Incident Report has been received, it will be reviewed and appropriate action will be taken. This may include contacting the student, you (the reporter), and any witnesses you have identified. College disciplinary records are protected by a federal privacy law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. If you have any questions concerning the SOBI Incident Report Form or the process, please contact the Division of Student Success at 210-486-0906 or visit Student Conduct.

News and Events

The Board of Trustees for the Alamo Colleges District & La Prensa Foundation provides an opportunity for us to recognize some of our exceptional students and highlight their accomplishments through designation as Student of the Month. Each Month one college selects an individual as the Student of the Month for the Alamo Colleges District. For more information, follow the link: Alamo Colleges District & La Prensa Inspirational Student of the Month.