Student Spotlight: David Bermejo

St. Philip’s College (SPC) student David Bermejo has been appointed as the new student trustee for the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees, serving a one-year term from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027.

Bermejo, who is pursuing an Associate of Science degree with a focus in mechanical engineering, began attending St. Philip’s College in Fall 2025 after a nontraditional path that took him from California to Texas and through several careers.

Originally from California, Bermejo entered the workforce after high school, obtaining his commercial driver's license and working as a truck driver. The profession eventually brought him to Texas, where he and his wife decided to make San Antonio their home.

Bermejo later worked in the culinary industry, but said those professions did not fulfill him.

“I returned to my original passion with the idea that maybe I could go to space, so I decided to go into mechanical engineering,” Bermejo said.

As a child, Bermejo was always interested in space exploration but intimidated by the math and science courses he believed would stand in his way.

“As a child, I was fascinated with the idea of going to space, but I didn’t think I could do something like that because of all the math and science involved,” he said. “Math was a subject I was terrified of. Using Math World at SPC has changed my entire perspective. Not only do I feel confident, but I also know I have the support I need. I feel like I’m good at math now.”

Bermejo said St. Philip’s College stood out during his online college search because of its strong engineering program within the Alamo Colleges District. The college’s proximity to his home was another deciding factor.

“Attending college at SPC was a huge step for my wife and me,” he said. “Deciding to stay in school was easy. We felt so supported once we got here.”

Bermejo credits an early classroom experience for helping solidify his decision to return to school. During his first government class, his instructor shared her story of returning to college after leaving school, and of finding renewed motivation and success.

“As a returning student myself, this spoke to me,” Bermejo said. “I realized that now, married and living in a different state, I had found my new motivation as well.”

Finances also played a significant role in his college journey. Until this semester, he paid for his education out of pocket. Scholarships, including the Student Engagement Scholarship through Tiger PAWS and the Student Trustee Scholarship, have helped make his education more affordable.

In his student trustee role, Bermejo represents students from all five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District and has enjoyed learning about each campus community.

“I have been enjoying learning how each campus has its own culture,” he said. “I see the similarities, and I wonder how we can get students involved together. I believe working together really creates a win-win for all of us.”

Bermejo anticipates graduating from St. Philip’s College in Fall 2027 and plans to continue his education at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where he hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.

For prospective students considering St. Philip’s College, Bermejo has simple advice:

“Take the leap,” he said. “Choosing SPC will change your life. Spend six months here, and you’ll see for yourself how your life will change, and you won’t even recognize yourself. That’s the kind of support you receive here.”