Academic Advising

Student studying

AlamoADVISE

Your assigned certified advisor is your partner in success, guiding you every step of the way to help you reach your goals faster and with confidence.

 

Meet with Advising

After attending New Student Orientation, current students are assigned a certified advisor to guide them through their college journey. 

Your assigned certified advisor has dedicated availability every week to meet either in person or virtually, so you can schedule an appointment that works best for you.

Make an Appointment

Schedule a meeting with your assigned certified advisor months in advance or even same-day. Each session is 30 minutes, or 1 hour if it's your first meeting.

Appointment schedules open for the entire semester:
Fall: Aug. 1  
Appointment dates: Aug. 24–Dec. 18

Schedule Now

Drop-In Visit

Have a time-sensitive question? Stop by during our hours of operation, and we'll see how we can help you on the spot.

 

View Hours

Important: Don't forget to plan ahead! You have to get an Advising PIN every 15 credit hours in order to register.

 

 

 

What can my assigned certified advisor help me with?

Whether you're just getting started or preparing to graduate, your assigned advising team can assist with:

blue-checkmark.png Class Registration Assistance

blue-checkmark.png Creating Academic Goals

blue-checkmark.png Updating your Degree Plan

blue-checkmark.png Hold Questions

blue-checkmark.png General Program Information

blue-checkmark.png Advising PIN Release 

blue-checkmark.png Verify Courses for Financial Aid and Appeals

blue-checkmark.png Summer Momentum Questions

blue-checkmark.png Course and Prerequisite Overrides

blue-checkmark.png Overload Petition

blue-checkmark.png Degree Audits

blue-checkmark.png Graduation Advising

blue-checkmark.png Transfer Inquiries and Planning

blue-checkmark.png Change of Major/Primary Institution

blue-checkmark.png Academic Probation/Dismissal Guidance

blue-checkmark.png 6-Drop and 3-Peat Guidance

 

 

Advising Team

Each student is assigned a certified advisor to guide them through their college journey.

Find My Advisor in ACES

Certified Advisors
Photo of Nora Arredondo

Nora Arredondo

Certified Advisor

nesparza@alamo.edu

Photo of Christina Barrera

Christina Barrera

Certified Advisor

cbarrera96@alamo.edu

Photo of Selso Casares

Selso Casares

Certified Advisor

scasares@alamo.edu

Photo of Amanda M. Cavazos

Amanda M. Cavazos

Certified Advisor

acavazos171@alamo.edu

Photo of Britney Esparza-Marin

Britney Esparza-Marin

Certified Advisor

besparza9@alamo.edu

Photo of Alyssa Forey

Alyssa Forey

Certified Advisor

aforey1@alamo.edu

Photo of Valerie Gonzales

Valerie Gonzales

Certified Advisor

vgonzales181@alamo.edu

Photo of Timmy Ivory

Timmy Ivory

Certified Advisor

tivory2@alamo.edu

Photo of Lauryn Maldonado

Lauryn Maldonado

Certified Advisor

lmaldonado82@alamo.edu

Photo of Jocelyn Martinez

Jocelyn "Jocie" Martinez

Certified Advisor

jmartinez1370@alamo.edu

Photo of David Mancha

David Mancha

Certified Advisor

dmancha8@alamo.edu

Photo of Mandy Martinez

Mandy Martinez

Certified Advisor

mmunoz184@alamo.edu

Photo of Shawn Melendes

Shawn Melendes

Certified Advisor

smelendes1@alamo.edu

Photo of Amanda Morales

Amanda Morales

Certified Advisor

aamaya19@alamo.edu

Photo of Elena Olivo

Elena Olivo

Certified Advisor

eamador@alamo.edu

Photo of Adam Rodriguez

Adam Rodriguez

Certified Advisor

arodriguez4@alamo.edu

Photo of Rafael Sayago

Rafael Sayago

Certified Advisor

rsayago@alamo.edu

Photo of Malorie Vallejo

Malorie Vallejo

Certified Advisor

mvallejo34@alamo.edu

Photo of Juan Venegas

Juan Venegas

Certified Advisor

jvenegas21@alamo.edu

Photo of Kollette Zamora

Kollette Zamora

Certified Advisor

kzamora22@alamo.edu

Advising Support Staff

 

Advising Team Leaders

Photo of Jennifer Huebenthal

Jennifer Huebenthal

jhuebenthal2@alamo.edu

Photo of Nidia C. Lopez

Nidia C. Lopez

nlopez137@alamo.edu

 

Photo of Maria Diaz-Viesca

Maria Diaz-Viesca

mdiaz150@alamo.edu

 

Advising Team Support Specialist

Photo of Jasmine Caza

Laura Medlin

lmedlin4@alamo.edu

Photo of Jenny Fonseca

Jenny Fonseca

jfonseca18@alamo.edu

 

Certified Peer Advisors

Photo of Amerie Hernandez

Amerie Hernandez

ahernandez2018@alamo.edu

Photo of Enio Cako

Enio Cako

ecako@alamo.edu

Photo of James Monteagudo

James Monteagudo

cruz152@alamo.edu

Photo of Klarysse Ramirezo

Klarysse Ramirez

kramirez253@alamo.edu

Photo of Madellyn Maldonado

Madellyn Maldonado

mmaldonado288@alamo.edu

Photo of Matthew Bedolla

Matthew Bedolla

mbedolla6@alamo.edu

Photo of Zoey Zamora

Zoey Zamora

zzamora11@alamo.edu

Veterans Affairs

The Office of Veterans Affairs assists students who are receiving VA benefits or Hazelwood Exemptions. Your assigned certified advisor will assist you with processing your benefits, developing a degree plan, registering for courses, completing a financial aid appeal, exploring careers, and researching transfer opportunities.

 

Photo of Angelica (Annie) Acosta

Angelica (Annie) Acosta

Senior Coordinator for Veterans Affairs

aacosta58@alamo.edu

Photo of Flor Arambula

Flor Arambula

Certified Advisor

fsemersky@alamo.edu

Photo of Eloisa Cordova

Eloisa Cordova

Certified Advisor

ecordova@alamo.edu

Photo of Taylor Markgraf

Taylor Markgraf

VA School Certifying Official

tmarkgraf3@alamo.edu

Student Accessibility Services

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Palo Alto College is committed to ensuring all programs, services, and facilities are accessible to and provide equal opportunities for education to all students. The Student Accessibility Services office coordinates accommodations for students with impairments that substantially limits one or more major life activities (walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, etc.) as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

Visit the Student Accessibility Services Website

Email: pac-sas@alamo.edu
Location: Rio Grande 133A
Phone: 210-486-3020

 

Photo of Angelica (Annie) Acosta

Cindy Cook

Sr. Coordinator - Student Success

cgibbs3@alamo.edu

210-486-3027

Photo of Elizabeth Garcia

Elizabeth Garcia

Senior Specialist

egarcia1200@alamo.edu

210-486-3020

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an advisor assist me via email?

Your assigned academic advisor is available to answer questions that are submitted from your ACES student email. Please include the following information: Name, Banner ID, and phone number in case we need to reach you.

Your assigned academic advisor can answer questions submitted from your ACES student email. The advisor will reply to your message as soon as possible during business hours.

What is not considered Academic Advising?
  • Advisors will not register you for your classes, but will assist in identifying classes.
  • Advisors will not choose your career path, but will provide guidance and resources to help you identify a career path.
  • Advisors do not provide mental health counseling but will make referrals when necessary.
What are some advising best practices?

To have a productive meeting with your advisor, please consider the following:

  • Create a reminder with your appointment date and time on your phone or in your planner.
  • Prepare for your meeting by creating a list of topics you want to discuss, such as classes to take, transfer planning, graduation planning, goal setting, and any additional concerns regarding your educational and career goals.
  • Meet with your assigned academic advisor every semester to ensure you stay on track. Meet with them early to avoid any issues with registering for future classes once registration begins.
  • Create an advising folder to keep yourself organized with advising-related materials [For example, degree plans, schedule plans, and notes from advising meetings] and keep it updated.
  • Check your ACES student email regularly, as this is how your assigned academic advisor will communicate with you. Remember that any emails sent from your email may get caught in our SPAM folder, and we will be unable to see them.
  • Personal accountability – You must review your grades and GPS degree plan in ACES at the end of each term.
What is Academic Dismissal & Reinstatement Procedure?

Students on academic probation who earn a semester grade point average below 2.0 will be placed on academic dismissal. As per the Alamo Colleges District policy, students placed on Academic Dismissal must remain out a period of time as dictated by level of academic dismissal. Upon completing the sit-out period, students must complete the petition process.

Academic Dismissal & Petition Information

Northeast Lakeview College
Northwest Vista College
Palo Alto College
San Antonio College
St. Philip's College

Can I register for a Full Academic Year?

Yes, you can register for a Full Academic Year (Fall, Spring, and Summer simultaneously). Registering for a Full Academic Year secures your classes, reduces stress, and helps you stay on track to achieve your educational goals.

Learn more about Full Academic Year registration

What is the importance of Program of Study (POS)?

Program of Study (POS) is a U.S. Department of Education requirement stating that only courses included in a student's degree plan are eligible for financial aid. Due to this requirement, any courses you take that are not a part of your official degree plan will not qualify for financial aid.

Review Financial Aid Enrollment Requirements

Student Support System

Your assigned certified advisor is here to connect you with support systems tailored to your needs, including academic support, career guidance, advocacy resources, and mental health services.

Tutoring

Get academic support and build confidence in your coursework.

Find Services

Mental Health

Find counseling and wellness resources to support your well-being.

Get Support

Advocacy Centers

Access resources designed to help you succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Contact Now

Career Services

Take advantage of career planning, internships, and job opportunities.

Explore Resources

Contact Us

Location: Rio Grande, 106A
Phone: 210-486-3300
Email: PAC-Advising@alamo.edu

Fall 2026: August 26 – December 18, 2026

Advising is by appointment only. Current students may schedule a 30-minute in-person or virtual appointment with their assigned Certified Advisor.

 

Hours of Operation

Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Advising will be closed on the following dates:
September 7 – Labor Day
October 30 – Employee Development Day
November 11 – Veterans Day
November 26-28 – Thanksgiving
December 21-January 1 – Winter Break