Mexican-American Studies has been declared a field of study statewide, and it is now being offered as a new associate of arts degree at Palo Alto College.

“Palo Alto College previously offered an associate of arts degree in Mexican-American Studies at one time but there wasn’t enough interest. So the state of Texas said they were going to make it a field of study,” said Stacey Johnson, Dean of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.

Juan Tejeda, Instructor and Director of Conjunto Palo Alto, said, “We are in the process of creating a brochure and a Web site that announces this major and various Mexican-American Studies classes we are offering and intend to develop in the future.”

The Mexican-American/Latino population will be the majority of the people in Texas by the year 2025 or sooner. Whether you are in business, education, the arts, communications or any field, Tejeda believes it is more important than ever to learn about Mexican-American history, language, literature, arts, politics and culture.

Approximately 65 percent of Palo Alto’s students are Mexican-American.

“Mexican-American is the biggest block,” said Tejeda. “About two-thirds of the U.S. (38 million people) is Mexican-American. It is also very important to learn about our cultura, history, as well to learn about our arts. It is very relevant in San Antonio. It is important to learn about who we are,” said Tejeda.

Savannah Lopez, a freshman Criminal Justice major, said that it’s important for her to study her heritage “so others and I can learn to appreciate the foundation that our ancestors and community leaders, like Cesar Chavez, has built for our future and today’s society. This new degree plan will benefit my Criminal Justice major.”

“This is a pathway for students to understand their culture and their history. I also think it is important because it creates an avenue to political work,” said Johnson.

Courses that will be offered in the Fall of 2006 include: Introduction to Mexican-American Studies (HUMA 1305), Mexican-American Literature (ENGL 2351) and Mexican-American Fine Arts Appreciation (HUMA 1311). These courses will automatically transfer to any state university that offers a degree in Mexican-American Studies. Whether it is UTSA, UT-Austin, Texas A&M University, or Texas Tech, you can transfer this associate’s degree.

Anthony Pierulla, Assistant Professor of Counseling, said that one of the biggest problems facing college students--beyond the future of social security and health care benefits--is the integration of new American immigrants into our economic, social and political fabric. He finds it very important to understand the culture and the community that you live in.

“The purpose of education is to understand yourself. The more you understand yourself, the more valuable you become to the community...in returning your education to the community,” said Pierulla.

If you would like more information about this new associate of arts degree, please contact Juan Tejeda at (210) 921-5113.