Spotlight Series: Bryanna Noriega

Each month, the Alamo Colleges District honors an exemplary staff member whose dedication and contributions embody the institution's mission of fostering student success and community engagement. This month, one of our very own Palo Alto College (PAC) family staff members was selected. 

We are proud to celebrate our very own Bryanna Noriega, a Child Development Specialist at PAC’s Ray Ellison Family Center.

As a Child Development Specialist at Palo Alto College, Noriega has spent the past two years tirelessly advocating for the success of both students and their children, embodying the institution's mission to foster a nurturing learning environment.

A true product of PAC, Noriega earned her Associate's degree in Child Development in 2019, laying a solid foundation for her educational journey. She continued her studies at Texas A&M University, graduating with a Bachelor's in Teaching and embarking on a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling, further equipping herself to support the holistic needs of her community.

Born and raised on the Southside, Noriega draws inspiration from her surrounding community and PAC mentors, Delilah Marquez and Jennifer Flores, whose guidance has been instrumental in shaping her career path. Reflecting on her journey, Noriega shares, “I was able to see the impact PAC had on me as a student, and I wanted to return to make a difference. I wanted to come back to serve my community and help raise young children’s minds while they are still developing.”

While serving at PAC, she helped revive the Ray Ellison Family Center on campus after it was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. The REFC offers essential early childhood education and child care for student parents, featuring a curriculum that supports holistic development. Notably, she has worked to provide low-cost childcare options tailored to PAC student parents. Noriega and her team work daily to break down barriers to education and create an environment where children thrive and parents can pursue their educational goals knowing their children are well cared for.

Noriega affirms. “We're here to empower our students and remind them that they can achieve their goals." One of her proudest moments happened recently at graduation when she served as the mascot and witnessed student parents cross the stage. “I’ll remember that day forever,” she shared. “As I saw many of our student parents walk the stage and heard their names called out, I was reminded of when they first came into the REFC, and I knew we’d made a difference.”

Looking ahead, Noriega remains steadfast in her mission to grow the REFC and continue to make the services available and as affordable as possible for students who need them. "I want every student to feel supported," she emphasizes, "knowing that we believe in them and their potential."

Bryanna Noriega's journey from student to advocate exemplifies the transformative power of education and community service. Her unwavering dedication to the Alamo Colleges District and Palo Alto College inspires colleagues and students alike, embodying the spirit of excellence that defines the institution.

We celebrate her achievements and profound impact on the lives she touches daily. Her story is a testament to the belief that anything is possible with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to community.

PAC student parents interested in learning more about the Ray Ellison Family Center and its services should visit alamo.edu/pac/refc.