Office of International Program News

On Monday, October 7^th students, faculty, and staff from across the Alamo Colleges district joined 140+ colleagues from Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, and the United States for a special event “Building Bridges: Empowering Central American and U.S. Students through COIL Partnerships”.

This event was a celebratory kick-off for students participating in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) courses in the fall.  The event started off with Welcome remarks from Dr. Jon Rubin, the founder of COIL, and the U.S. Ambassador to Honduras,  Laura Dogu. Ambassador Dogu encouraged students to participate in COIL whole heartedly and become COIL ambassadors on their campuses. She also emphasized the important role that COIL plays in the professional and economic development of the countries and communities represented on the call.

The second half of the event was dedicated to student presentations. Students from three different countries shared the academic, personal, and professional impacts that participating in COIL had on them and shared advice with students who are about to begin their COIL Journey.

Alamo Colleges District is entering its second year of participation in this Central American  COIL initiative.

By Reynaldo Cano

As part of our quarterly International Faculty Committee meetings, a new meeting model has been implemented to showcase the bachelor’s degree programs at each of our Colleges. Dr. Raymond Chacon, Cybersecurity & Information Technology Department Chair, hosted the inaugural meeting. During the Partner highlight, William Smith II, PhD, Senior Director of Global Engagement, Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC), spoke about expanding ACD opportunities abroad and within the State of Texas through partnerships and access to available funding for education mobility partnerships. Each OIP team also shared information on the latest initiatives and project updates with an audience of faculty from the various ACD Colleges. As the last topic of the meeting, Dr. Chacon provided an overview of the installation where the meeting took place and provided a tour of the impressive cybersecurity teaching facilities.

By Kaitlyn Davis

 The Office of International Programs hosted 35 incoming F-1 international students to attend the Fall F-1 Compliance Seminar at the Westside Education & Training Center (WETC) on August 7, 2024. The international students had the opportunity to hear from guest presenters from Alamo DPS, Texas DMV, VIABus, and the Office of International Programs staff. The students learned about safety protocols on campus and around San Antonio, how to obtain a driver’s license/state ID, use their student U-Pass on VIABUS, speak with college representatives, and explore how to participate in international program initiatives. This seminar is an exciting opportunity to meet our incoming international students and for them to make new friends along the way.

We look forward to welcoming our Spring 2025 F-1 international students in the new year.

By Isabel Breuer

The Alamo Colleges District welcomed representatives from Tecmilenio during the Bi-National Education Week hosted at the Mexican Consulate. Both institutions showcased their programs to Mexican nationals, emphasizing their commitment to cross-border educational opportunities.

During their visit, ACD and Tecmilenio engaged with key employer partners, including Methodist Healthcare and Harlandale ISD. These meetings focused on reviewing the outcomes and discussing the next steps for the first cohort of the International Nursing Pathway. Additionally, we are excited to share that plans for the International Educator Pathway are progressing well, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Pauline Ramirez, the Educator Preparation Program, and the rest of the ACD team.

By Sherrie Radicke and Reynaldo Cano

The Alamo Global Challenge of 2024 was a transformative journey to immerse students in Spain's rich cultural, historical, and entrepreneurial landscape. This unique experience combined exploration with innovation, allowing students to engage with local communities, discover Spain's vibrant traditions, and gain insights into its dynamic business environment. Participants attended the H.A.C.U. International Conference, where they connected with students and faculty worldwide, engaged in local traditions, and deepened their global understanding. This journey not only broadened their perspectives but also inspired lasting connections, underscoring the enduring value of this experience.

By Isabel Breuer and Reynaldo Cano

Pablo Livas, a technological high school in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, sent ten of their students to participate in a one-week bakery training program at St. Philip's College, instructed by Chef Patrick Brown. This highly successful program, which also included site visits to Central Market and other cultural activities to showcase San Antonio, was a testament to our strong collaboration.

Preparatoria Pablo Livas is considered a legacy partner of our institution. The Alamo Colleges District has collaborated with them for over 20 years. In November 2023, we renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pablo Livas and the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, the most extensive higher education system in northern Mexico, to which Pablo Livas belongs. We are grateful for their continued collaboration and look forward to further strengthening our partnership.

The students had a transformative experience, and Pablo Livas is eager to continue this collaboration and provide more of their students with international mobility opportunities.

By Reynaldo Cano

The deadline is approaching for a unique opportunity for students from our colleges to participate in a cultural exchange to Queretaro, Mexico.   If chosen, five outstanding students from the Alamo Colleges District will be immersed in the arts and culture of Querétaro, Mexico, coinciding with the signing of the Friendship Cities Agreement between San Antonio and Querétaro and the grand opening of the "Al Otro Lado del Espejo" exhibit at the Museo de Arte de Querétaro. 

This cultural exchange aims to celebrate and promote global competence and multiculturalism, focusing on the cultural linkages between San Antonio and Querétaro. Students will engage with the works of renowned San Antonio artists, explore local artistic expressions of Querétaro, and gain a deeper understanding of the arts scene in San Antonio and its connection with the Alamo Colleges District.

Aligned with the Alamo Colleges Global Learner Pathway, this experience will enhance global competence, foster empathy through diverse cultural connections, and prepare students to become future global citizens in an interconnected world. The deadline to apply is August 16th at midnight. Please encourage anyone interested to apply using the QR code on the flyer. Please contact Isabel Breuer for more information at 210-485-0082 or ebreuer2@alamo.edu.  

By DSO Communications and Reynaldo Cano

The Alamo Colleges District was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program. The District is one of only 37 U.S. colleges and universities awarded the grant. It will use the IDEAS grant to establish, expand, and broaden American student mobility overseas to support U.S. foreign policy goals.
“This grant not only enables us to expand our study abroad programs but also aligns with our moonshot and commitment to fostering global awareness and intercultural competence among our students,” said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor. “By providing our students with international experiences, we are equipping them with the necessary skills and perspectives. We are grateful for this opportunity to enhance our educational offerings.”
Since 2016, the IDEAS Program has awarded 216 grants to 205 institutions in 49 U.S. states and territories to establish, expand, and broaden their U.S. study abroad programs in over 95 countries across all world regions. In addition to the IDEAS grant competition, the program also offers opportunities for international educators at U.S. colleges and universities to participate in free virtual and in-person study abroad capacity-building activities.

By Sherrie Radicke & Reynaldo Cano

On May 17, 2024, Dr. Hilary Landorf, Assistant Vice President of the Office of Global Learning Initiatives from Florida International University, was a guest speaker at the annual Global Learning Foundations Workshop at ACCESS. Dr. Lucinda Flores and Scott D’Amico from Faculty Development facilitated a 6-hour intensive work session for faculty from across the Alamo Community. During the workshop, they discussed methods to increase global learning opportunities for students by incorporating international, intercultural, and global dimensions into the content of their curriculum, as well as the learning outcomes, assessment tasks, teaching methods, and support services of a program of study. Faculty and staff attending included Dr. Silva from Student Success, Suzette Dooley from San Antonio College, Amanda Bartonek from Northwest Vista College, Amy Huebner from St. Philip’s College, and Sophia Salgado and Gloria French from Palo Alto College.

By Reynaldo Cano

On June 6^th and 7^th, Alamo Colleges District was part of the inaugural forum organized by DGESUM, the Mexican Ministry focused on developing initiatives and policies in support of quality teaching in a network of over 250 teach the teacher universities throughout Mexico. The forums focused on discussions and the exchange of ideas on student mobility and the importance of enriching the perspective, curriculum, and skills of future teachers.

In April, Alamo Colleges completed a successful pilot program with a group of teach the teacher universities in the Mexican state of Nuevo León.  Northwest Vista played a fundamental role as the home for these twelve future teachers in helping them develop their skills and abilities.  They brought diversity to the student body and enriching the educational experience for NVC students.  

The Office of International Programs looks forward to facilitating partnerships with our colleges for future ESL courses and creating robust exchanges for mutual benefit.

By Isabel Breuer

From June 1 to June 10, Alamo College District leaders embarked on a pivotal trip to Spain, participating in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 14th International Conference. The delegation, including Dr. Mike Flores, Dr. Luke Dowden, Priscilla Camacho J.D., and Alejandra Bueno J.D., joined forces with Tecmilenio University, represented by Rector Bruno Zepeda, to present the innovative International Nursing Pathway initiative. The Office of International Programs showcased its virtual exchange programs in collaboration with UNIBE, a partner institution from Costa Rica.

A highlight of the conference was the Alamo Global Challenge 2024 winners, who received scholarships to attend the event. These students had the unique opportunity to engage directly with district leaders, including a special dinner with the Chancellor, furthering their understanding of global educational dynamics. Dr. Flores also signed an agreement to establish semester log study abroad in Salamanca.

Following the conference, the delegation visited several prestigious Spanish universities, including CEU Universidad Cardenal Herrera in Valencia, Universitat Abat Oliba in Barcelona, Tknika, and Leioa Culinary Institute in San Sebastian. These visits fostered discussions on best practices and paved the way for increased academic and workforce collaborations.

By Patricia Ferguson

In late April, the Office of International Programs facilitated a discussion between Dr. Patricia (Pam) Martin from Université de Montréal and Dr. Scott Walker from Northwest Vista College. Both professors specializing in Geography shared insights from their respective research experiences—Dr. Martin's in Oaxaca and Dr. Walker's earlier work in La Reserva Biosfera El Cielo, Tamaulipas. This initial meeting aims to explore future collaborative projects that would include students as part of geographical research undertaken in the future.  

By Kayla Kopecki and Maria Rivera

The Alamo Colleges study abroad program held different sessions throughout the fiscal year.  The Paris, France Culinary program took place in the Fall of 2023, and a Winter Italy program gave students two weeks in Florence to study Art. Students also had an opportunity to use their Spring break for a program in Cameroon, Africa, where they studied Nutrition and Psychology. In Cameroon, students also participated in a service-learning opportunity in the classroom with our Institutional partner, Queensway International School.

The Summer Study Abroad season has now begun, offering a diverse range of destinations and academic programs. Groups begin traveling this week, with one of the first groups already departing to the vibrant cities of London, Costa Rica, and Italy. In the next couple of weeks, groups will depart for the picturesque landscapes of Scotland, the rich culture of South Korea, the sunny beaches of Spain, and the vibrant streets of Mexico. Each program is designed to provide a unique learning experience, combining classroom instruction with cultural immersion activities, ensuring that students gain a comprehensive understanding of the host country's culture, history, and language.

$108,415 was awarded from the International Education Scholarship funds, $1,000 from the Palo Alto College Jason DeLacour Scholarship, $250 from the Dr. Conrado Scholarship in the Alamo Colleges Foundation, and $409 from the International Programs Scholarship at San Antonio College. Fourteen students were awarded $43,500 from the Benjamin Gilman Scholarship.  The total funding awarded to study abroad students for the fiscal year 2024 is $153,574. 

By Reynaldo Cano

As previously reported, a group of 12 future teachers from Nuevo León, Mexico, embarked on an enriching journey with the Alamo Colleges District. On May 17th, all twelve students graduated from a specialized ESL course.  The graduation ceremony included remarks from the Mexican Consulate, Dr. Amy Bosley, President of Northwest Vista, and Mexican Officials who traveled to San Antonio to continue supporting this inaugural program.   Student parents also attended the graduation ceremony and recognized it as an essential milestone in the children’s teaching careers. They took ESL classes at Northwest Vista College for eight weeks, participated in workshops organized by NWV Latino Teachers Association, and visited Harlandale School District.   Almost 200 people, mostly throughout Mexico watched the livestream of the graduation.   Program organizers from Mexico were so satisfied with the results of this inaugural pilot program that future programs are now in the development stage for the coming semesters.        

By Reynaldo Cano

As part of building partnerships with strategic regions, the Office of International Program coordinated a visit to a region that is referred to as the Silicon Valley of Mexico, Guadalajara, Jalisco. As part of the schedule, Palo Alto faculty and staff members Professor John Champion and Richard de la Garza actively participated in Talent Land (https://www.talent-land.mx/) as well as in a series of meetings with various members of the ecosystem beyond the event. This annual event convenes the complete IT ecosystem of Jalisco, which includes 43,000+ students from throughout Mexico, private sector names like Nvidia, HP, Google, State and Municipal leaders, and higher education institutions. The team from Palo Alto Colleges concluded that the cybersecurity level in Mexico complements Alamo Colleges students in cybersecurity well. Concrete results from the trip include a work plan with a visit from the academic, civic, and private sectors to San Antonio from Jalisco in the coming months to begin to develop possible exchanges, COIL programs, and other activities beneficial to both regions.

By Alejandra Bueno

At the 2024 Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) Summit in Houston, Alejandra Bueno, Executive Director of International Programs, was invited to contribute as a special guest speaker. The summit, themed "Multiple Views of Higher Education Internationalization," provided an excellent platform for Ms. Bueno to share insights and experiences from Alamo Colleges District's initiatives in international education. Her participation highlighted the district's commitment to global education and enhanced the summit's collaborative environment, bringing together a broad spectrum of international educators from across Texas. Her contributions were instrumental in fostering discussions that enriched attendees' professional development, particularly those emerging as new leaders in the field. International educators across the state of Texas attended the Seminar.

By Alejandra Bueno

Alamo Colleges had the pleasure of hosting Roseline Chesson, a distinguished Fulbright Association Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow from Liberia, for a significant yet brief visit focused on fostering global educational collaborations. The discussions during her stay centered on exploring potential healthcare partnerships with Liberia, providing our community with unique insights, and broadening our global perspectives. This visit not only enriched our academic environment but also strengthened international connections. We extend our gratitude to our colleagues and partners who contributed to the success of this event, ensuring a fruitful exchange of knowledge. The Alamo Colleges community is enthusiastic about the potential collaborations from this engagement and looks forward to continuing this productive relationship.

By Kaitlyn Davis & Reynaldo Cano

Let's Rodeo San Antonio! The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo's International Committee invited Alamo Colleges District international students to experience San Antonio's 75th Rodeo and Stock Show. The Committee hosted students on February 23rd and provided an opportunity to learn about an event's prominence in Texas history and culture while giving first-hand experience to interact with livestock and the fun events at the rodeo. Four international students attending San Antonio College joined two members from the Alamo Colleges Office of International Programs to participate in a guided tour of the grounds to explore the event exhibits. Alamo Colleges looks forward to continuing to participate in the annual event.

By Reynaldo Cano

The Office of International Programs was delighted to welcome back on March 18th the first cohort of study abroad students to Africa.  The group was led by Dr. Salomon Nfor and Professor Irene Young, both from St. Philip's College. 

The group had an opportunity to interact with local students in Cameroon and was showcased in the local news. As a result of the trip, Alamo Colleges will soon welcome a scholar from Queensway International College Cameroon campus. 

By Alejandra Bueno and Reynaldo Cano

On February 29, Alamo Colleges joined the Art Gala benefiting the Asia Resource Center of San Antonio.   Asian Resource Center of San Antonio (ARCSA) is a Texas nonprofit corporation exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.  The primary purpose of ARCSA is to raise awareness about the rich cultural heritage of Asian Americans and to cultivate a strong sense of community in San Antonio. Our mission is to foster unity and celebrate diverse Asian cultures. The Gala was an opportunity to strengthen ties between Alamo Colleges and Asian partners in our community.

By Reynaldo Cano

The value of recognition by your peers is the ultimate confirmation that you are on the right track. The Paul Simon Award is the highest recognition in international education, and it was announced on Wednesday, February 13, that the Alamo College District is the first institution in San Antonio and the second community college in Texas since 2003 to be honored with this award.   This award celebrates outstanding innovation and accomplishment in campus internationalization as defined by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. NAFSA's members number nearly 10,000 individuals from all 50 states and over 150 countries. As part of a competitive process, the Office of International Programs was recognized for consciously integrating and infusing international, intercultural, and global dimensions into the ethos and outcomes of students' education. The award presentation will occur at the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo on May 29, 2024, during the awards banquet. This accolade would not have been possible without the generous support and collaboration of our staff, faculty, students, stakeholders, and leadership. Thank you!

By Reynaldo Cano

In collaboration with the University of Salamanca, the Office of International Programs worked with Northwest Vista College's ESL Program Manager, Adriana Rodriguez, on a pilot program HACU has developed in Spanish Language Assessment and Training.  The program includes a beta platform that assesses an individual's Spanish level. Twenty-eight Alamo Colleges District students and staff participated in a two-and-a-half-hour Spanish exam focusing on reading comprehension, listening comprehension, verbal expression, and writing. ACD joined other Texas locations in piloting this platform, and beta tests were also conducted in California, New York, Illinois, and Florida. The impetus behind this effort is to help Spanish speakers, regardless of their level of Spanish, improve their language abilities to make it a point of pride.     

By LaTanya Kurney

In October, the International Programs exchange team from the Office of International Programs was invited to participate in the International Virtual Exchange Conference (IVEC) for the second consecutive year. Hosted by premier international education institutions in Brazil, IVEC 2023 was attended by more than 500 persons in a hybrid format representing peers from 46 countries worldwide. The Alamo Colleges District presentation, Expanding Institutional Perspectives: Expectations of Language in COIL Classrooms, was one of the featured flash talk sessions that discussed one of the critical challenges of virtual exchange implementation.