In an effort to help nourish students’ potential leadership prowess, the Alamo Community College District began a program in the Fall of 2001 called the Student Leadership Institute.

For attending leadership meetings throughout the year, students were given a $500 scholarship. With good attendance, students were also eligible for an end-of-the-year voyage to the nation’s capital.

Signing up for SLI required filling out a four-page application form, three recommendations and writing an essay on how they would benefit from the program. The institute consisted of students representing all of the ACCD campuses. Each campus met twice a month with its own group, and the SLI met once a month as a whole on Saturdays at various locations.

“In the first SLI meeting, we heard the presidents from the colleges speak about how they overcame the struggles they faced to get where they are today,” said Roy Juarez, a Northwest Vista sophomore Business major.

Many of the speakers were not only proven leaders, but dynamic members of the community, as well. Minnesota Vikings Owner Red McCombs, City Councilman Julian Castro, La Prensa Bilingual Newspaper Editor Tino Duran and Metro Columnist for the San Antonio Express-News Cary Clack were just a few of the speakers that offered networking possibilities.

“I’m hoping to pursue a career in writing. SLI gave me a chance to meet face to face with book publishers and editors,” said Robert Trujillo, a sophomore English major at Palo Alto.

Visiting D.C. rewarded students with a chance to witness leadership at work at a major level. Students took in tours and meetings as part of the six-day stay that ended with an education bill pitch to a few members of congress. The rest of the week flew by spending hours in the Smithsonian or visiting monuments, while some rode the subway drinking in the city’s vibe.

The success of the first year led to a second. This year’s group of students has already been chosen. They meet on the first and third Fridays of each month in Palomino Center, Room 114.

“We learned a lot in SLI’s first year that’ll help to make this one even better,” said Daniel Rodriguez, Counseling Chair and Palo Alto’s SLI instructor. “Although we have a smaller group of students this go round, the students have a better idea of what’s expected ."

Contact Daniel Rodriguez for more information on the institue at 921-5280, or e-mail him at <drodrigu@accd.edu>.