Palo Alto College graduates reach their dreams

Math Professor Yvette Rios

Architect Guillermo Moya

Physical Education Professor Alcario Soliz, Jr.

Journalist Heather Ray Karam

Math Professor Yvette Rios
By Elizabeth Castillo
Pulse Staff Reporter/Editor

Photo by Anna Martinez

Former Palo Alto student Yvette Rios has retraced her steps back to Palo Alto to become a Math professor.

After graduating from Harlandale High School in 1987, Rios continued her education at the University of Texas in Austin with a Baumberger Scholarship.

Finding the transition from high school to a large university “a little overwhelming,” Rios moved back to San Antonio and began attending Palo Alto in the summer of 1988.

“I loved the fact that the classes were smaller here, and that allowed more one-on- one contact with instructors,” Rios said. “The smaller classes made it feel less intimidating and more comfortable to ask questions than in a larger class.”

Rios graduated from Palo Alto in May 1990 with an Associate of Science in Business Management and went on to the University of Texas in San Antonio in the fall of 1990.

While attending UTSA, Rios held the position of a part-time math tutor at Palo Alto and worked her way up to head tutor or “math skills specialist.” It was this tutoring experience that prompted her drive to teach rather than work in accounting.

After graduating from UTSA in December 1992 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Rios decided that this was not necessarily her passion, and she decided to continue her education to teach.

Rios took some time off from school and continued working at Palo Alto then returned to UTSA and received a B.A. of Science in Mathematics in December of 1997. It was at this time that she began teaching at St. Philip’s Southwest Campus through Project Quest to help students pass the TASP test.

Upon receiving her second Bachelor’s degree and becoming a professor of developmental math courses, Rios continued school and earned her Master of Science in Mathematics from UTSA in December of 1999.

“When I was taking classes, math was always easier,” Rios said. “It came naturally to me.”

Rios enjoys teaching at Palo Alto where she’s able to speak with her students on a more individual level. She appreciates the personal interaction with her students and is looking forward to the future at Palo Alto.

Though her career choices changed throughout her years in college, Rios found her way back to where it all began, Palo Alto College, the heart of the community.

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Architect Guillermo Moya
By Jimmy Moore
Pulse Staff Reporter/Editor

Photo by Jimmy Moore

“One of my first drawings was a building,” said Guillermo Moya, 32, an architect. As a teenager, Moya spent a few summers working in construction, like his father, and decided it was not the field for him. He wanted more. He wanted to design buildings.

Moya graduated from South San High School in 1989 and moved on to Palo Alto College the following fall. After two years, he transferred to UTSA, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

While at Palo Alto, Moya was enrolled in core curriculum courses. He also took Design I with Mrs. Simonite and art classes. During his time here, Moya tried to focus strongly on the requirements for UTSA’s curriculum.

In addition to taking classes, Moya was a work-study in the library for almost two years.

He said Palo Alto helped a lot. He especially liked the one-on-one interaction that the community college setting provides.

“Workshops and mentor programs were there to help,” said Moya. “It can’t compare with a 4-year university.”

In order to be an architect, you have to serve an apprenticeship for five years, which Moya has completed. An architect must also know construction management, do community work and compile a portfolio of architectural drawings.

Moya currently works with Kinnison and Associates Architects. His firm developed the design for the new state-of-the-art Northeast Service Center for the City of San Antonio. Other projects that Moya is involved with include the reroofing of the San Pedro Library and a new fire station on Southcross and New Laredo Highway.

Outside of work, Moya is a member of the South San Antonio Partnership Program, and he is also involved with his neighborhood association. In addition, he is a member of Rebuilding Together: Christmas in April, a national program that has been around for eight years. Volunteers go around to different neighborhoods to distribute applications to those with homes in need of repair. If the homeowner qualifies, work begins on their house free of charge. All of the money comes from the city or is donated, and those fixing the house are volunteers.

According to Moya, architecture is not just about drawing buildings. So much more goes into it. You need to know everything from plumbing to electricity to the air conditioning before the building leaves the design stage.

You also need to be familiar with history, art, science and philosophy when designing a building. If a building is windowless, a patron may feel claustrophobic. Moya said interior colors may also set off certain feelings.

“It’s a pretty neat field, “ said Moya. “I guess that’s why I love it.”

Moya believes he made a good choice starting at Palo Alto College.

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Physical Education Professor Alcario Soliz, Jr.
By Andres Arispe
Pulse Staff Reporter/Editor

Photo by Anna Martinez

Former Palo Alto College student, Alcario Soliz Jr., has made the full circle back to Palo Alto College as an adjunct faculty member in the Physical Education Department teaching courses this Fall.
Soliz, a Spring ‘01 Palo Alto College graduate, transferred to the University of Northern Iowa after receiving his Associate of Science.

“I met with my advisor, Suzel Molina, who told me about the opportunities UNI offered and to speak to Charley Garcia (in the Transfer Advisement Center),” said Soliz.

Meeting the two UNI counselors and visiting the campus really sold Soliz on the idea of attending school in the Midwest.

“The professors and the students were very different from here, but my biggest adjustment was the food,” said Soliz. “Finding good Mexican food up there was impossible.”

Soliz found that being away from his family and fiancé wasn’t a big deal because of his independent lifestyle.

“It made me stronger. No matter where you go, it’s up to the person to make the most of it,” said Soliz. “I kept focused and knew I was there for my degree. I learned how to handle pressure.”

After graduating from UNI in the Fall of ’02 with his bachelor’s in Kinesiology, Soliz was leaning toward earning his Master’s from Northern Iowa. Instead, he will attend UTSA next summer.

“Palo Alto offered me a position as an adjunct to teach Physical Education courses, so I took it as a stepping stone for my career,” said Soliz.

Soliz suggests taking advantage of opportunities that are available here at Palo Alto College.

“At Palo Alto, you learn to never give up, and that hard work leads to success,” said Soliz.

Palo Alto College was opened to bring higher education to the South Side of San Antonio. Soliz recalled how there were those who thought that the college would not prosper.

Soliz would like to remain at Palo Alto College as a full-time faculty member, but he would also consider coaching at the high school or college level.

“Getting a degree helps us grow and bring pride back to the community,” said Soliz.

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Journalist Heather Ray Karam
By Cynthia Sanchez
Pulse Staff Reporter/Editor

Journalist Heather Ray Karam
Photo by Cynthia Sanchez

Heather Ray Karam graduated from Palo Alto in 1999 and continued her education at the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated in December of 2001 with a bachelor’s in Journalism.

She is now back in San Antonio, working as a copy editor and reporter for the San Antonio Business Journal.

Karam started at Palo Alto later than most students. She first attended San Antonio College after high school, but she decided to take some years off to travel and work. She attended Palo Alto College in the late 1990s.

While taking a Communication class, Karam had to interview someone in her chosen career field.

“I interviewed one of the local TV anchorwomen from KSAT 12, and I really loved it and thought, ‘Wow, this is where I want to be.’”

Karam was one of the first reporters for The Pulse, which began in the Fall of 1998.

“I had some great professors at Palo Alto, and even though there are still misconceptions on what the quality of a community college offers, I feel I got everything I needed from them, and when I got to UT, I was really prepared.”

Karam chose journalism because of the excitement it offers.

“There was something about journalism that could open a whole new world for me. It was meeting new people and telling their story. I believe everybody has a story to tell, no matter who they are.”

Karam’s Palo Alto roots have continued to help her. It was through a Palo Alto contact that she was able to meet the editor of the San Antonio Business Journal, who offered her a job.

“It is so important to, keep good contacts and stay in touch with people in your field,” she said.

Karam is thankful for her start at Palo Alto.

“What I enjoyed most was the faculty. I think they have a gem there. The closeness of the student body and campus and the faculty really helped mentor me to want to go off to a 4-year university and find my way there,” said Karam.

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