Many students who attend college wonder what the future holds. For former Palo Alto students Janie Martinez Gonzalez, Kimberly Addison and Matt Gaines, the future is now and it’s great.

Janie M. Gonzalez, Palo Alto Alumni and owner of Web Head Group

Janie M. Gonzalez attended Palo Alto College during the Fall of 1990 through the Spring of 1993 and she received her associate’s of arts degree in Sociology.

During her time at Palo Alto College, Gonzalez worked as a work-study student for several years in the Admission and Records Department, where she met many people who guided her.

“The individuals who influenced my life and career were Leticia Sanchez-Retamoza, Director of Enrollment Management, and Dr. Daniel Rodriguez, Chair of the Counseling Department,” Gonzalez said. “[They] became my mentors, role models and my friends.”

The teachers who also became a huge influence on her were Peter Myers, Ellen Shull, Dr. Dorothy Haecker and Rudy Rosales.

“They were teachers that influenced my passion, creativity and social conscience,” she said.

After receiving her associate’s degree, she transferred to St. Mary’s University, but ended up graduating in the Spring of 1996 from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.

At the moment, Gonzalez is still doing some graduate work at the University of the Incarnate Word and has earned 12 hours toward a master’s degree in Administration. She also graduated from the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School of Business Community Advancement program earning continue education credit.

Now, Gonzalez owns and operates the second largest full-service web development and hosting company in San Antonio.

“Web Head Group provides client solutions to H-E-B, Taco Cabana, SBC/Yahoo, Daimler Chrysler and Zachry Corporation,” she said.

Gonzalez said she loved every minute of Palo Alto and still misses it to this day.

“[It] provided me with a strong foundation [and] everything else I pursued was easier because of my education and career development from PAC.”

Kimberly Addison attended Palo Alto College from 1998 to 2000. She decided to attend the school when a woman, whom she had never seen before, began telling her how great the campus was.

“I was sitting, watching my oldest son attend a gymnastics class and began speaking with a woman who came and sat down next to me,” Addison said.

Addison had become very interested in attending college because she knew that if she wanted to make something more of her professional life, she would have to return to school.

Kim Addison graduated from Palo Alto in 2000 and is now the marketing coordinator for Newmark Homes' San Antonio

Her major field of study at Palo Alto was Communications, and she received an associate’s of arts degree.

Some of the things that helped her achieve success at Palo Alto were the teachers and the PASSkey program.

“Most teachers went out of their way to tutor, help and guide me through their classes,” she said.

The teachers who influenced her the most were Dr. Denise Barkis Richter, Ellen Shull, and Kelly Mumbower.

She said Denise Richter was tough, supportive and understanding; Ellen

Shull exposed her to literature and writers she had never known about; and Kelly Mumbower was an amazing algebra teacher.

Other achievements she gained while attending the campus were the Dean’s list with a 3.6 grade point average, Phi Theta Kappa membership and the Michelle Lima Journalism Scholarship.

After her associate’s degree was granted, Addison transferred to UTSA and received a bachelor’s of arts degree with a concentration in Public Relations.

“There is no way I would have survived at a university had I not started at PAC. [It] gave me the confidence I was lacking academically and professionally,” Addison said.

Now, Addison is the marketing coordinator for Newmark Homes’ San Antonio Division.

“I was determined to show the world, my peers, my family, my kids and myself that I could be more, accomplish more and succeed more than ever expected,” she said. “Let me tell you, success is sweet. Sweeter than I ever imagined.”

Matt Gaines attended Palo Alto College for four semesters, the Fall of 1993 through the Spring 1995. Gaines enrolled in the Aviation program and received his private pilot’s license.

While at Palo Alto, he took one class, which really influenced him.

“The one class that sticks out the most to me is Mr. [Robert] Hines’ history class. It rates in the top two or three of all the classes I took throughout my college career,” Gaines said.

He said Hines was really demanding and the class was challenging in that it taught him how to study and learn at a college level.

“It taught me that true knowledge is more than just rote memorization of facts. It is being able to take those facts and assimilate them into the big picture and find application,” he said.

Matt Gaines is now a F-16 pilot after receiving his Aviation degree from Palo Alto

After receiving his pilot’s license, Gaines attended LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, where he earned a bachelor’s of science degree in Aviation Technology. He then received a job offer at Castroville Airport as an aerial photographer before being commissioned into the U.S. Air Force.

In 1999, Gaines was sent to Laughlin Air Force Base where he trained as an undergraduate pilot. After graduation,he became an instructor pilot in

the T-37and T-6 for three years before moving on to the F-16 Falcon. He is currently flying F-16 Falcons from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.

“I would tell students to work hard,” Gaines said. “Don’t settle for less than what you are capable of. Don’t be the guy that sets low goals and fails to achieve. Get involved in something. Do something that expands your horizons. Don’t complain about the problem if you aren’t willing to be a part of the solution. Have fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously and remember you’re only in college once…so don’t waste it.”