Palo Alto College - Community Programs

02/10/2026

at Palo Alto College is happy and proud to announce that Jazmin Benavides has earned her Certificate of High School Equivalency (hashtag ) hashtag ! 🎓

She is the second hashtag of 2026 and is excited to walk the stage at the hashtag .

Jazmin is now planning to enroll in English as a Second Language (hashtag ) classes this summer as she continues her educational journey.

She is incredibly hashtag and hashtag of her achievements!

Congratulations, Jazmin, on this outstanding accomplishment and the bright future ahead. After completing hashtag , she plans to pursue a career at hashtag .

The Alamo Colleges District

01/21/2026

01/21/2026

On January 20, we launched our GED and ESL programs at Palo Alto College, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. all classes were filled to capacity, reflecting strong community interest. Students arrived excited, enthusiastic, and eager to learn as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

The first three pictures feature ESL instructors: Ms. Aguago, Mr. Noriega, and Ms. Rodriguez. The next five pictures feature GED instructors: Ms. Romo, Mr. Gonzalez, and Mr. Armstrong.

01/15/2026

Giselle is the first recipient of the GED Brunch Scholarship Award, having successfully earned her hashtag during her first session of the GED course.

The scholarship criteria have recently changed. Students who complete their GED in two or more sessions will receive $1,000, while students who complete the program in one session will be awarded $1,500 through the GED Brunch Scholarship Award.

In addition, students need to subsequently enroll at Palo Alto College, designate it as their home institution, and register for at least six credit hours will also receive the GED Brunch Scholarship Award.

Congratulations, Giselle, on your tenacity and commitment to completing your GED in one session. We are proud of you.



The Alamo Colleges District

01/07/2026

Our next GED session starts January 20, 2026. We had 40 new students who participated on the January 6th New Student Orientation at Palo Alto College.

We had a variety of Academic and Support Services presenters; in addition, with the Army recruiters from who Palo Alto College has an agreement with. The following presenters were on the agenda:

Emcee Thomas Murguia

Edgar E. Nandin Motivational Speaker

Julie Mendez and Leticia Aranda Program Expectations on Adult Literacy Education, and United Way Rewarding Careers

Jesus Lozano San Antonio Ready to Work

Dean Fernandez Career and Technical Education Programs

SSG Angie Mercado and SSG Andrew Tesch Future Soldier Program South Park Recruiting Station US Army Recruiting Battalion San Antonio

Xochitl Martinez College Enrollment Process

Vanessa Alcoser Services Offered by S.H.A.R.E. Center
Erron Gonzalez Overview of Tutoring

Judith Menchaca Student ID Cards and Benefits and;

Aracely R. Bowling GED Testing Center

The Alamo Colleges District

12/29/2025

Palo Alto College

12/17/2025

We were very successful with our pilot for English as a Second Language (ESL). This marked the first time our prospective ESL students completed the assessment on a computer. A total of 43 students successfully took the Ventures Placement Test online.

The computerized format allowed us to obtain results much more quickly. As a result, the pilot program proved to be highly efficient and exceptionally productive.

GED
Palo Alto College
The Alamo Colleges DistrictThe Alamo Colleges District

12/17/2025

We celebrated another remarkable success on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the hashtag , a holiday event benefiting GED-to-college community programs across the Alamo Colleges District. The event raised $140,000—and counting—in support of expanding educational access and opportunity for adult learners.

The morning also served as a tribute to the enduring vision and leadership of hashtag founder hashtag . She was honored with an endowed scholarship established by hashtag , President of the hashtag .

In recognition of her decades of advocacy and impact, Bexar County Judge hashtag officially proclaimed December 13 as “Martha Tijerina Day.”

In addition, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor hashtag made a personal contribution to Martha Tijerina’s Endowment, further strengthening its long-term impact.

The brunch was a vibrant morning of celebration, connection, and community pride. A distinguished line of civic, educational, and philanthropic leaders joined supporters, partners, and friends, including the following dignitaries and other very special guests:

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Two GED stories Mother and Son hashtag and hashtag
Fabulous GED Brunch Founder hashtag and our hashtag

Thomas Murguia table included:
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Recruiter
South Park Recruiting Station
US Army Recruiting Battalion San Antonio
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Patrick Santos, Successful GED student
Yuneri Rodriguez Successful GED student
Areli Mendoza Successful GED Student

We would like to thank Dean “Steve” hashtag for the ongoing support he has provided to the Department of Community Programs. We also extend our appreciation to

hashtag , and most importantly to Palo Alto College hashtag for their exceptional support of the hashtag .

12/12/2025

We are pleased to highlight another successful achievement within our English as a Second Language hashtag Palo Alto College ESL & GED College.

During this celebration, students showcased videos in English and participated in a meaningful Colombian cultural tradition involving the lighting of candles, each representing an inspirational word.

This term, 63 ESL students completed Levels 1 through 4. Of those, 50 students attended the ceremony accompanied by their families, demonstrating strong community support as they received their certificates and advanced to the next level.

The event took place in Legacy Room 101 and welcomed approximately 120 attendees. Although 13 completers were unable to attend, the ceremony achieved an 80 percent participation completers' rate, which reflects strong engagement from our students and their families.

The celebration also featured an abundance of food and a festive performance of Christmas carols by Mr. Noriega’s Level 1 and Level 2 classes.

Palo Alto College
Alamo Colleges District

12/11/2025

Nayla has served as a work-study employee with the Palo Alto College - Community Programs for two consecutive years. Throughout her entire tenure, she demonstrated exceptional reliability; she never missed a workday and was never late.

Her punctuality and commitment were exemplary.

During her time with us, Nayla developed significantly as a young professional, consistently demonstrating strong leadership skills. She excelled at multitasking, approached every assignment with a positive attitude, and consistently went above and beyond what was asked of her.

She never complained, and her work ethic set a high standard for others.
Although this was her first professional position, she proved that she is capable of accomplishing anything she sets her mind to.

She was an outstanding—if not ideal—work-study employee. Her discipline, professionalism, friendliness, and overall character were evident in her interactions with the Community Program team and with the departments she supported.

Her dedication to our students was especially notable.

Nayla completed her studies this Fall, earning an Associate of Arts in Business Administration. As she concludes her work with us, she prepares to transfer to Texas A&M University-San Antonio to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration.

We wish Nayla the very best as she begins this new chapter. We are confident she will continue to excel, bringing the same pride, determination, and work ethic to her academic journey and future career.

We are going to miss her greatly. , !

The Alamo Colleges District
Palo Alto College

12/09/2025

We are incredibly proud of Crystal Riojas, who has officially earned her GED Certificate through the The Alamo Colleges District– Alto College ESL & GED Community Programs!

She is truly and . Crystal is also a grateful recipient of the of $1,000, generously funded by .

We are thrilled to share that she has been accepted into the at Palo Alto College.

Her hard work and dedication continue to inspire us, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!

Congratulations, Crystal! 🌟🎓💙

12/03/2025

We are proud to celebrate one of our outstanding from the summer of 2019, Anthony Smith!

After earning his GED, Anthony enrolled at Palo Alto College in Fall 2019, where he was awarded a $500 Brunch Scholarship.

He later transferred to Northwest Vista College, graduating with his Associate Degree in 2024.

Anthony is now continuing his academic journey at ’sUniversity in San Antonio, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Philosophy, expected to graduate in December 2026.

With plans to pursue a career in economic policy, Anthony exemplifies perseverance, dedication, and the power of education to create opportunity.

We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and cannot wait to see what he achieves next. Congratulations, Anthony!

Alamo Colleges District

We are , .

Alamo Colleges District