Explore every episode of the podcast A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Flores

he future of work is changing, and strong partnerships are helping Texas build the workforce it needs.

Texas employers need skilled talent to keep pace with a changing economy. At the same time, students and working adults need accessible pathways to good jobs and long-term careers.

In this episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores sits down with Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza to discuss the evolving needs of employers, the importance of short-term workforce training, and how education and workforce partnerships can expand opportunity.

They also discuss the launch of the Alamo Technical Institute, a new one-stop gateway connecting learners to career-aligned training and industry certifications while helping employers build a stronger talent pipeline.

Together, they explore how education, workforce, and industry partnerships can strengthen families, support economic growth, and build the workforce of tomorrow.

Visit alamo.edu/ati to learn more about the Alamo Technical Institute.

Graduation may be over, but the stories behind the caps and gowns are worth hearing.

This year, the Alamo Colleges District celebrated more than 15,000 degrees and certificates earned by the Class of 2026, including AlamoPROMISE scholars and high school students getting a head start on college.

In this special graduation episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores and Student Trustee Josiah sit down with one graduate from each college to reflect on their journey, what shaped their experience at the Alamo Colleges, and what comes next.

From workforce training to college degrees, these graduates represent resilience, opportunity, and a brighter future for our community.

We’re #AlamoPROUD to celebrate the next generation of leaders, workers, and changemakers.

Visit alamo.edu/grads to learn more about the Class of 2026.

How can the arts open doors and create opportunities for students?

Join Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores in conversation with Vincent Valdez, inaugural Artist in Residence for the Alamo Colleges District, and James Miller, Professor of Art at Northeast Lakeview College and member of the District Arts Commission.

Together, they explore how innovative arts initiatives and hands-on learning experiences are creating meaningful pathways for students. Discover how creativity transforms lives, strengthens communities, and expands opportunity across San Antonio and beyond.

This year, the Alamo Colleges District is proud to celebrate the graduation of more than 11,000 students across our five colleges, including nearly 1,500 AlamoPROMISE scholars and 950 high school program graduates who earned their associate degrees or certificates before walking the stage at their high school ceremonies.

While the semester is coming to an end, this is only the beginning for our Alamo Colleges graduates.

Five of our student graduates, one from each of our Alamo Colleges, recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to share experiences they have gained while being Alamo Colleges students and their plans for the future. 

In our newest episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores explores the vital work of the First Responders Academy at San Antonio College – a program that trains more than 500 graduates annually for careers in law enforcement, fire science, correctional science, and emergency medical services.

This episode features a conversation with:

• Zaida Huerta, a First Responders Academy cadet

• Chief Manuel Casarez of the Boerne Fire Department

• Chief John Jahanara of the Balcones Heights Police Department

Together, they discuss what it takes to serve on the front lines and how the Alamo Colleges District is shaping the next generation of first responders through hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum, and strong public safety partnerships.

Want to learn more about San Antonio College’s First Responders Academy? Learn more here.

Cybersecurity is more critical than ever, and the Alamo Colleges District is preparing the next generation of experts. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs are projected to grow by 31% from 2019 to 2029, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled professionals. 

In our latest episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores sits down with Alicia Butler, Academic Engagement Lead at the National Security Agency (NSA) in Texas, and Michael Enriquez, a student in the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity program at St. Philip’s College, to explore how partnerships in higher education are shaping the future of digital security.

Tune in as we discuss:

• How the Alamo Colleges District collaborates with the NSA to expand cybersecurity education.

• The cutting-edge BAT of Cybersecurity degree at St. Philip’s College and its role in San Antonio’s workforce development.

• The personal journey of a St. Philip’s College cybersecurity student preparing for a high-demand career.

We’re thrilled to share an insightful new podcast episode with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. The episode explores our exciting partnership to bridge the gap between higher education and childcare.

In this episode, Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District, discusses how this collaboration transforms access to education and supports student parents. Mariana Perez, a proud UTSA alumna and YMCA of Greater San Antonio member, and Louis Lopez, YMCA of Greater San Antonio CEO, join him as they discuss how the partnership impacts the community. 

During the summer, the partnership served 1,333 students, providing childcare and camp services for Alamo Colleges students and their children.

Some key topics they explored include:

How this partnership benefits families 

How the YMCA of Greater San Antonio is expanding its support to Alamo Colleges students and their families

Learn more about how this initiative is reshaping opportunities for our community

This episode will feature Chef Ana Pulido, a renowned Mexican-American chef, and James Beard Foundation Award winner for Best Chef: Texas. Chef Pulido's inspiring journey from the Rio Grande Valley to national recognition will serve as a beacon for Alamo Colleges District students, especially those in the St. Philip's College Culinary Program. The episode will also include insights from a faculty member and a current student, offering a multi-faceted discussion on education, cultural heritage, and the pursuit of culinary excellence.

Earlier this year, Alamo Colleges and Texas A&M University-San Antonio announced an expanded transfer agreement that enables eligible students to start at any of the five Alamo Colleges and seamlessly transfer to TAMU-SA to complete a four-year degree, with educational costs covered at both institutions. The Promise-to-Promise partnership also ensures automatic admission from Alamo Colleges District to TAMU-SA.

Students like Aubri Lalinde will be among the first to benefit from the new Promise-to-Promise program this fall. A first-generation college student, Aubri recently graduated from Palo Alto College with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Promise-to-Promise is breaking down barriers
• The collaborative efforts between Alamo Colleges and TAMU-SA on other transfer initiatives
• The impact of Promise-to-Promise on Aubri’s college journey

Out of our almost 11,000 graduates, almost 800 are AlamoPROMISE scholars-area high school seniors who completed a certificate or degree program without the financial burden of tuition and other fees.

The semester is ending, and this is only the beginning for our Alamo College graduates.  

Six of our student graduates recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to share experiences they have gained while being Alamo Colleges students and their plans for the future. 

Featured guests: 

• Former Alamo Colleges District Student Trustee And San Antonio College College, Brandon Aviado

• Northeast Lakeview College Graduate and Judson Early College Academy Valedictorian Rachel Saloria Akouka

• Northwest Vista College Graduate Michael Centeno

• Palo Alto College and AlamoPROMISE Graduate Justine Nerio

• San Antonio College Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduate Jasmine Carrington-Brannon

• St. Philip’s College Graduate Jason Cervantes

Some key concepts they covered include:

• Advice for students considering the Alamo Colleges

• How the Alamo Colleges has prepared our graduates for the future

• How AlamoPROMISE is positioning one student for higher education

  
  

  To learn more about our grads, visit alamo.edu/grads

  
  

Dr. Harrison Keller, Commissioner of Higher Education, is a sixth-generation Texan with nearly twenty-five years of experience in state budget and policy, university administration, fundraising, and building coalitions among higher education institutions, school districts, and policymakers.

Dr. Keller recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to speak about collaborative efforts to expand the Texas talent pipeline and the significance of House Bill 8—a $683 million investment in community colleges aimed at rewarding schools for aiding students in completing their degrees or certificates.

Some key concepts covered during this episode include:

• How the Building a Talent Strong Texas Plan aims to award valuable credentials to Texans

• The impact of House Bill 8 

• Future Focus on Collaboration and Workforce

Dr. Martha Kanter, a leading figure in the national education landscape and Senior Fellow at New York University's Steinhardt Institute for Higher Education Policy, works on spearheading initiatives aimed at improving college access, affordability, and quality in American higher education. With her extensive background as the former U.S. Under Secretary of Education, overseeing federal postsecondary policies and programs, Dr. Kanter brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

Since 2018, Dr. Kanter has been an integral partner of the Alamo Colleges District, collaborating on the inception and implementation of what is now known as AlamoPROMISE. AlamoPROMISE is now available to graduating high school students across Bexar County. 

Dr. Kanter and Keren Morin Lugo, Palo Alto College student and AlamoPROMISE Scholar, recently took part in a A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to explore the impact of Promise Programs and their pivotal role in shaping the future of education and social mobility.

Some key concepts they covered include:

• National trends in promise programs

• Best practices across promise programs

• The biggest challenges that promise programs face

To learn more about AlamoPROMISE, visit alamo.edu/promise

In July 2023, Dr. Amy Bosley – an innovative higher education administrator with extensive teaching experience and advanced communication, human resources, and business expertise – began her position as the third president of Northwest Vista College (NVC), a vibrant community of more than 17,000 students and 900 employees.

Dr. Bosley has an extensive track record in higher education and has served in various capacities, including Vice President for Institutional Planning Development and Chief of Staff at Valencia College in Central Florida. She is passionate about the community college mission and the impact that college leaders, faculty, and staff have on students, their families, the workforce, and their community.

Dr. Bosley and NVC student, Daniel Bigler, recently took part in A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores for a conversation on their experiences at NVC and what’s ahead.

Some key concepts covered during this episode include:

• What attracted Dr. Bosley and Daniel to NVC

• NVC’s Excelencia in Education framework

• Looking at what’s ahead as NVC approaches its 30th anniversary

Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús joined the San Antonio College (SAC) family in January 2023 as the second female president in the school’s near century-long history. She has a distinguished record of service both in higher education and public diplomacy within the foreign service. Before coming to SAC, she served as executive vice president of student success at Milwaukee Area Technical College and as the public diplomacy officer for the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, dedicating her time to impacting the lives of students from the U.S. and abroad by creating connections and platforms for student success and faculty-led research.

“Dr. Naydeen” – as she is known around campus – is the 13th president at SAC, among the largest single-campus community colleges in Texas and the nation, and serves nearly 20,000 students each semester.

In 2021, SAC received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges.

Dr. Naydeen and SAC student and student government leader, Desteny Espinoza, recently took part in A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores for a conversation on their experiences at SAC and what’s ahead.

Some key concepts covered during this episode include:

• What attracted Dr. Naydeen and Desteny to SAC

• How SAC is addressing economic and social mobility

• Looking at what’s ahead for SAC

This semester, the Alamo Colleges is celebrating 10,000 graduates, including close to 500 AlamoPROMISE graduates, whose accomplishments serve as a great testament to our efforts to empower our diverse communities for success.

While the semester is coming to an end, this is only the beginning for our Alamo Colleges graduates.

Five of our student graduates, one from each of our Alamo Colleges, recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores, and guest, Dr. Julien Mahler, a Northwest Vista College Alumnus, and emergency medicine physician, to share experiences they have gained while being Alamo Colleges students and their plans for the future.

Featured guests:

• Dr. Julien Mahler, Northwest Vista College Alumnus, and emergency medicine physician
• Cara Sullivan, Former Alamo Colleges District Student Trustee & Northeast Lakeview College Graduate
• Emad Alobaiteri, Northwest Vista College Graduate
• Rebeca Hernandez, Palo Alto College & AlamoPROMISE Graduate
• Brittney Carson, St. Philip’s College Graduate
• Simon Chiquito, San Antonio College Graduate

Some key concepts covered during this episode include:

• Advice for students considering the Alamo Colleges 
• How the Alamo Colleges has prepared graduates for the future
• How Promise-to-Promise positioned one student for higher education

To learn more about our grads, visit alamo.edu/grads

In November 2022, the Alamo Colleges and University at Texas at San Antonio announced an expanded transfer agreement that, for the first time, allows eligible students to start at any of the five Alamo Colleges and then transfer to UTSA to complete a four-year degree while having educational costs covered at both institutions.

Dr. Taylor Eighmy, UTSA President, and San Antonio College graduate and current UTSA Student, Nia Houston, recently took part in A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores for a conversation on how ACD and UTSA are creating seamless pathways to student success.

Nia Houston is among the first group of students in the Promise-to-Promise program, which is being piloted this fall and will be available broadly to eligible students admitted to UTSA for Fall 2023.

Some key concepts covered during this episode include:

• How Promise-to-Promise came to be
• How Alamo Colleges & UTSA are working together on other transferability initiatives
• How Promise-to-Promise is making an impact on Nia’s college journey

Across the Alamo Colleges District, approximately one out of every five of our student population are parents. The district supports student parents by providing resources and support services to students balancing a family and pursuing their educational and career goals.

Nicole Lynn Lewis, the founder of the national nonprofit Generation Hope and author, along with San Antonio College student and mother, Victoria Regalado, recently took part in A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores for a conversation on how to create a better future for student parents.

Some key concepts they covered include:

• Navigating college as a parent and how that has changed over the years
• How colleges can support student parents
• Advice for parents seeking to enter college

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