Goal I. Access to Higher Education
On September 25th, the SPC Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts (THCA) Department received a $12,000 scholarship and emergency fund donation from the San Antonio Hotel Lodging Association (SAHLA). The SAHLA has awarded scholarships to THCA students each year since 1992. Total donations from the SAHLA exceed $66,000. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the February 2008 SAHLA meeting, hosted by the SPC Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts Department.

The San Antonio Builder’s Association donated three booths to SPC Allied Construction Trades for the Homebuilder’s Showcase Industry Trade Show held on September 28 – 30. This opportunity allowed the Department to showcase their programs and was an excellent recruitment tool.

Goal II. Student Support
SAC Theatre and Speech Communication faculty and students recently received eight Alamo Theatre Arts Council Globe Awards for their work in San Antonio College productions last season. The Globe Awards recognize outstanding community and educational theatre productions in acting, direction, set design, and costuming. An SPC student was also honored with an award for outstanding choreography.

SAC Art Direction student, Alejandro Gonzalez, was honored to have his poster unveiled at Capitol One Bank as part of the commemoration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Brook Rosser’s class worked with the Task Force Against Domestic Violence as a service-learning project.

San Antonio College hosted a meeting of four MacArthur Fellows, who discussed San Antonio’s environmental future in a conversation titled “Honoring La Madre Tierra.” The intent was to give students and the community an opportunity to meet and dialogue with this outstanding group of individuals on a relevant topic. The Family Learning Academy, the Public Administration Club, and the Office of Student Life co-sponsored this event.

On Friday, September 21, NVC hosted a discussion with community leaders about peace studies and conflict resolution as it relates to college curriculum. Leading the dialogue was a nationally renowned peace education expert David J. Smith. As the senior program officer for the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., Smith is part of an independent, nonpartisan program that teaches about complexities of international conflicts and how to resolve them. Also attending the event were Charles Cotrell, President of St. Mary’s University; Naomi Nye, noted author; Oscar Sabedra of Edgewood Independent School District, and former City Councilwoman Patti Radle of the Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Goal III. Workforce Development
As a result of a radio ad campaign co-sponsored by PAC’s Corporate and Community Education (CCE) Division and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, CCE received an order for $48,000 of training in advanced Microsoft Office productivity suite applications (versions 2003 and 2007) from the Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command at Randolph AFB. This training will be conducted over the next 4 to 6 months on site at Randolph AFB using the CCE’s laptop computers.

Dr.’s. Federico Zaragoza and “Cha” Guzmán served as panelists at the Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media’s Fellowship Program at Columbia University in New York City on October 1, 2007. Dr. Zaragoza addressed the community college role in addressing economic and workforce development issues. Dr. Guzmán addressed the need to increase coverage of community colleges by media outlets throughout the country.

College representatives met with federal government contract staff to finalize contract details on the development of on-line training modules for the Defense Contract Management Agency. As a result of this contract, it is anticipated that over 1200 aerospace quality inspectors will be trained nationwide.

Goal IV. Capacity To Serve
PAC Economics Instructor Jonathan Fink was a presenter at the 6th Annual Asian Pacific Cities Summit held in Australia, August 28 - September 4. Fink’s presentation was entitled “Evaluating Sustainable Global Supply Chains for Economic Planning: Towards a Value Added Approach—A General Overview of Theory and Early Findings from the Emerging Value Chain Discourse.” The summit was hosted by the Brisbane City Council and drew more than 105 cities from 28 countries to the event, including 41 mayors from across the Asia Pacific region.

The Facilities Department reports that construction of both the Palo Alto College Veterinary Technology Building and the SAC parking garage are on schedule for a December 2007 Substantial Completion.

Goal V. Organizational Communication
Dr. Reno attended the first working group meeting of the newly formed San Antonio Military-Community Council on September 27th. To maximize the Council’s efforts, the working group will meet prior to each Military –Community Council meeting to set the council’s agenda and bring forward ideas, concerns, and issues. The Military – Community Council is comprised of top civic, industry, and military leaders with a focus to address issues that jointly affect the civilian and military communities in the greater San Antonio area.

Save the Dates!

October 17, 2007 “Photos of Hope & Remembrance” event in honor of Senator Frank Madla, Jr. at the Pearl Stables from 6-9:30 p.m.

October 25, 2007 Chancellor’s Gala at the Pearl Stables from 6-9 p.m.

Nov 2 and 3, 2007 Board Retreat in Kerrville. Friday evening reception and Saturday retreat (until approximately 3:00). More information to follow.

Saturday, 10/20, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Regular Board Meeting of October 16, 2007 and Employee Development Day

Sunday, 10/21, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Regular Board Meeting of October 16, 2007 and Employee Development Day