| _X_ Compliance | ___ Partial Compliance | ___ Non-Compliance |
| Narrative | |||||||||||||||
Statement of Rationale for Judgment of CompliancePalo Alto College is staffed with highly qualified administrative and academic officers with substantial experience, academic preparation, competency, and capacity to serve.
The case for compliance is strucured as follows for each Palo Alto College administrator:
Palo Alto College (PAC) demonstrates its commitment to effective leadership by employing administrative and academic officers with the credentials and expertise necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of their positions. The Palo Alto College Organizational Chart[1] identifies the names and titles of the College's executive and administrative staff.
College PresidentResponsibilitiesDr. Flores serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the College; leads the President’s executive team which is responsible for significant operational and strategic decisions for the institution including budget, facilities, and personnel; provides oversight for the College budget of over $30 million and the 126 acre college campus; leads a college team of three vice presidents, five deans, 300 full-time and adjunct faculty as well as 200 full-and part-time staff in fifty distinct academic departments, centers, and administrative and student units; and establishes and maintains partner relationships with the college district, federal, state and local governments, school districts, universities, corporations, community groups and foundations.
During his time as president, Dr. Flores has developed, implemented, and led several new initiatives for the College, including:
Educational QualificationsDr. Flores holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Science in Political Science from Illinois State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Professional ExperienceDr. Flores became Palo Alto College’s sixth president on September 19th, 2012, and has held all three Vice President positions at the College (Academic Success, College Services, and Student Success) during his tenure. Dr. Flores has twenty-two years of professional experience in higher education at the community college and university level, including thirteen years as an administrator (president, vice president, and dean) and fourteen years as an adjunct faculty member.
In 1993, Dr. Flores served as a graduate intern with the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., where he assisted the Secretary of Energy's Diversity Council in researching and preparing a proposal to develop a Department of Energy University and also worked as the College Placement Specialist for the Project STAY Educational Talent Search and Opportunity Center in San Antonio, Texas. In August of 1996, Dr. Flores became Assistant Director for Administration in the Office of Student Life at Illinois State University. In that role, he developed and coordinated a comprehensive leadership development program for approximately 100 student leaders. From 1996-1999, Dr. Flores held academic positions as Research Associate for the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of Texas at Austin, Administrative Intern at the Community College of Denver, and Assistant to the Vice President for Administration at Macomb Community College in Michigan; in those roles, Dr. Flores developed a federally funded Student Support Services Program proposal for the delivery of comprehensive academic support services for 150 first-generation college, low-income students at the University of Texas at Austin, supported the Community College of Denver’s strategic planning process, and tracked legislation, reviewed administrative rules, and drafted legislative analysis to inform the Macomb college community of relevant actions affecting the institution. Dr. Flores joined Palo Alto College in 1999 as the Director of Institutional Research. During his time at Palo Alto College, Dr. Flores has served as Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Community Development, Vice President of College Services, Vice President of Student Affairs (nka Student Success), and Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs (nka Academic Success) as well as developed an Academic Advising Case Management Model for First Time in College and continuing students; created a comprehensive Instructional Innovation Center by enhancing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, centralizing professional staff and resources and securing additional funding for technology and service; and utilized a variety of local, state and federal sources to diversify funding streams and enhance student programs and services.
Dr. Flores serves as an Achieving the Dream Data Coach and has served as a fellow with the American Council on Education, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and conducted postgraduate study at the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management. Dr. Flores has also worked with numerous community-based organizations in San Antonio, Houston, and Chicago, and presented nationally at numerous higher education conferences regarding student engagement, evaluation and performance excellence. Currently, he is a board member for the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities, Communities in Schools San Antonio, the San Antonio Education Partnership, Hot Wells Park Conservancy, and San Antonio Youth Yes (SAY Sí) Leadership Council.
Vice-President of College Services
ResponsibilitiesAs Vice-President of College Services, Dr. Joseph is responsible for providing leadership in the management and alignment of financial, human, planning and physical resources for achievement of student success and operational goals of the college and oversees budgeting, Public Relations, Information Technology, Institutional Research, Institutional Advancement, and the Instructional Innovation Center. Educational QualificationsDr. Joseph holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Georgia, a Master of Management Studies in Marketing and Management from the University of Waikato, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. Professional ExperienceDr. Joseph began her career in academics as a Lecturer and Program Coordinator for the Department of Design and Communication at the Waikato Polytechnic in Hamilton, New Zealand. In 1994, she became the university’s Program Director and was responsible for student recruitment, retention, and instruction.
In 2000, Dr. Joseph accepted a position as the Director of Institutional Research and Planning for Georgia Military College where she provided support for executive and management decision-making, maintained performance measures, supported assessment, and coordinated and supervised effectiveness processes. In 2001, Dr. Joseph advanced to Vice-President of Institutional Research and Planning for Georgia Military College, monitoring and assessing institutional effectiveness, conducting all institutional research, serving as a liaison to government and accreditation agencies, and conducting strategic retention and enrollment management research. In 2005, Dr. Joseph joined the University of South Alabama as Director of Academic Program Assessment, using her experience to improve and maintain the quality of the university’s institutional effectiveness program.
Dr. Joseph joined the Alamo Colleges District in 2008 as the Assistant District Director of Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Planning, supporting the implementation of a comprehensive institutional effectiveness program linking budgeting, strategic planning, and assessment of district-wide performance indicators. In 2009, Dr. Joseph became the Vice-President of College Services at Palo Alto College.
Dr. Joseph has published and presented extensively. Co-authored publications include, but are not limited to:
Vice-President of Academic SuccessResponsibilitiesVice-President Tanner oversees all academic departments at Palo Alto College, including 100 full-time faculty in the arts, sciences, and career technical education fields, the Library, and the Corporate and Community Education Department, maintaining the academic excellence and integrity of the College, and ensuring that the College operates in accordance with the policies of the Board of Trustees, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the College’s accrediting agencies. Educational QualificationsVice-President Tanner holds a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Professional ExperienceVice-President Tanner joined the Palo Alto College faculty in 2000 as a Math Instructor and was promoted to Math Department Chair in 2004. In 2007, she advanced to Interim Dean of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences before the position transitioned to Dean of Arts and Sciences in 2009. In 2012, Vice-President Tanner accepted her current position as Vice-President of Academic Success. During her tenure at Palo Alto College, Vice-President Tanner has received four Excellence Awards from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development at the University of Texas at Austin and was nominated for the President’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Core Curriculum Teaching at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Vice-President Tanner's publications include:
Vice-President of Student Success
ResponsibilitiesVice-President Becerra directs the Division of Student Success, comprised of over 100 higher education professionals and seventeen different student service units aimed at supporting student success. He oversees admissions and records, recruitment and outreach, testing and assessment, Early College High School Programs, continued development of dual credit programs, academic advising centers across campus, and case management to maximize student retention and persistence. Vice-President Becerra serves as the Chair of the Student Success Council and the Co-Chair of the Strategies of Behavioral Intervention Committee and is a member of the Space Planning Committee, Curriculum Committee, Campus Projects Committee, Executive Team, Campus Leadership Team, PACFest Committee, and Strategic Enrollment Management Taskforce. Educational QualificationsVice-President Becerra holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Mexican American Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Professional ExperienceVice-President Becerra has over fourteen years of progressive student affairs experience with an expansive portfolio including enrollment management with various student populations such as first-time-in-college, transfer, international, and non-traditional students. Vice-President Becerra worked as an Admission Counselor for Southern Methodist University from 2001-2003 before transitioning to Assistant Director of Admissions at Our Lady of the Lake University from 2004-2007. He was promoted to Associate Director of Admissions in 2007 and Assistant Vice-President for Enrollment Management in 2008, overseeing student recruitment, admissions, and scholarships. From 2011-2015, Vice-President Becerra served as Dean of Student Outreach and Enrollment Services at Del Mar College, where he led the Division of Student Outreach and Enrollment Services. In Fall 2015, he joined Palo Alto College as Vice-President of Student Success.
Vice-President Becerra serves as the Chair of the Student Success Council and the Co-Chair of the Strategies of Behavioral Intervention Committee and is a member of the Space Planning Committee, Curriculum Committee, Campus Projects Committee, Executive Team, Campus Leadership Team, PACFest Committee, and Strategic Enrollment Management Taskforce.
Dean of Arts and Sciences
ResponsibilitiesDr. Jacobs is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing college transfer programs in academic areas. Dr. Jacobs assists in developing curricula and budgets for college transfer programs; acts as an ombudsman for faculty and students in the area of Arts and Sciences; assists in formulating and maintaining the academic standards for college transfer programs; develops class schedules and teaching and space assignments for maximum effectiveness; supervises, coordinates, and evaluates instructional programs; serves on committees and councils at the District and college level; implements and monitors the rules and regulations of the District, the college, and official agencies as appropriate; and assists with implementing college appeals and grievance procedures in the Arts and Sciences areas. Educational QualificationsDr. Jacobs holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum Theory from the University of Maryland-College Park, a Master of Education in Curriculum Theory with a Secondary English Certification from the University of Maryland-College Park, a Master of Arts in English from the University of California-Davis, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marquette University. Professional ExperienceDr. Jacobs began her academic career as an Assistant Professor in Secondary English Education in 1991 at Louisiana State University. While at Louisiana State University, Dr. Jacobs served as the Director of the LSU Writing Project. Dr. Jacobs joined the Palo Alto College faculty in 1995 in the Department of English. Dr. Jacobs advanced to the Chair of the Department of English, Communications, Foreign Languages, Reading and ESLA in January 2002 and served as Co-Chair of the College’s Quality Enhancement Plan Committee from August 2009-December 2011. Dr. Jacobs was advanced to Dean of Arts and Sciences in October 2013 after serving as Interim Dean in January-September of that year.
Dr. Jacobs served as Chair of the District Super Senate, Co-Chair of the Baldrige Category II Committee, and is a member of the Alamo Colleges District Curriculum Committee as well as the Co-Founder and Mentor of the Palo Alto College Honors Program. She is the recipient of the 2014 NISOD Award for Excellence as an Administrator, 2010 Yellow Rose of Texas Education Award, 2009 Doctoral Achievement Award - West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and 2003 NISOD Award for Innovation and Creativity in Teaching. Dr. Jacobs is a member of the Community College Humanities Association and Texas Community College Teachers Association.
Dean of Learning ResourcesResponsibilitiesDean Mesa oversees the planning, developing, and administration of a complete program of library and multi-media learning services. Dean Mesa evaluates and implements appropriate trends in library instruction, adult education, and community programming. She oversees information literacy classes and the Children’s Library programming, organizes the College’s Professional Development events, and represents the College at council and committee meetings. Educational QualificationsDean Mesa holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dean Mesa has competed 21 credit hours towards a PhD in Library Science at Texas Woman’s University. Professional ExperienceDean Mesa began serving as Dean of Learning Resources at Palo Alto College in February 2007, advancing from Associate Director of Library Services, a position she held at the College since September 1999. Dean Mesa has nearly 40 years’ experience in library science, working as a librarian for the Alamo Area Library System and library assistant for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Briscoe Library and University of Texas at San Antonio John Peace Library. Dean Mesa is a member of the Texas Library Association and American Library Association.
Dean of Career and Technical Education
ResponsibilitiesDean Lee identifies professional, continuing, and technical education training needs in the community and coordinates the development of programs to meet the community’s needs. He oversees the daily operations of the Career and Technical Education Division; provides oversight of all programs within the division; hires and supervises all Career and Technical Education chairs, directors, and staff; oversees the development and implementation of all new workforce programs; acts as budget manager for the Career and Technical Education; and serves on or chairs numerous committees and councils for the Division, College, and District. Educational QualificationsDean Lee holds a Master of Science in Mathematics with an emphasis on Applied Mathematics from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Bradley University. Professional ExperienceDean Lee began his career at Palo Alto College as an Instructor of Mathematics in 2003, teaching a wide range of developmental and college level Mathematics courses, including Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Statistics, Business Calculus, Calculus I, and Calculus II. Dean Lee advanced to Associate Professor and Chair of Mathematics in 2007 and has served as Faculty Senate President and Director of the Prep for Academic Student Success (PASS) program for the Alamo College District, assisting nearly 1,000 Alamo Colleges students in bypassing one or more levels of developmental mathematics. Dean Lee has been acting as Interim Dean of Career and Technical Education since August 2016 and is a 2012 NISOD award recipient.
Dean of Student SuccessResponsibilitiesDean Doss serves as the leader and supervisor for the fifteen Student Success and Support Services departments, including Admissions and Records, Welcome Center, Testing, Dual Credit, Early College High School, Upward Bound, Personal Counseling, STEM, BOLD, and SEED Advising Centers, TRIO Student Support Services, Disability Support Services, Veterans Affairs, Student Life and Advocacy, and the Ray Ellison Family Center, and over 150 personnel. Dean Doss recommends strategic solutions, resolutions to mandates, and services for students, designed to increase enrollment and retention and facilitates partnerships between Palo Alto College, four year institutions, employers, and the community. Educational QualificationsDean Doss holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from Ohio State University. Professional ExperienceDean Doss has served Palo Alto College over seven years, accepting her current position as Dean of Student Success in March 2015. As Dean, her coordination of student-centered services and cross-college collaborations have led to a 4.5% increase in the College’s 3-Year graduation rate and a 3% increase in the 4-Year graduation rate during the recent academic year. Dean Doss began her academic career as an Academic Advisor and Instructor for Ohio State University in 2007. She joined AmeriCorps as a Project Coordinator in 2009 and became an Adjunct Faculty Member in Student Development at Northwest Vista College in 2011. Dean Doss transitioned to Palo Alto College in 2010, serving as a Recruiter and Advisor, and later Coordinator, for the College’s Center for Academic Transitions. She advanced to Director of the Welcome Center and Advising in 2012, assisting in developing the inaugural Early College High Schools for New Frontiers and Harlandale Independent School Districts and developing and implementing the Student Success Management Advising Procedure for First Time in College Students. Dean Doss is a member of the Alamo Colleges District Student Leadership Institute Advisory Committee and is a recipient of the 2015 NISOD Award for Performance Excellence.
Dean of High School Pre-College Programs
ResponsibilitiesDean Ayala Jimenez leads the expansion, development, and execution of the College’s dual enrollment programs and oversees the operation, student services, and academic functions for twenty-seven external dual credit and five Early College High School K-12 partners. Dean Ayala Jimenez also provides primary supervision for the College’s TRIO Pre-College Programs – Upward Bound and Talent Search. Educational QualificationsDean Ayala Jimenez holds a Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Professional ExperienceDean Ayala Jimenez has fifteen years’ experience in the development and implementation of pre-college and early college programs, advancing to Dean of High School Pre-College Programs in July 2017. Dean Ayala Jimenez joined Palo Alto College in 2007 as the Project Director for the College’s TRIO Upward Bound program where she used her experience as an Early College High School Program Manager at the University of Texas at San Antonio and Assistant Director for TRIO Educational Talent Search for Communities in Schools to organize several large-scale TRIO events, including National TRIO Day and the San Antonio TRIO Academic Bowl. Dean Ayala Jimenez was promoted to College Director of High School Programs in 2014, assisting the College in securing $3 million in federal TRIO Program grant funds. Dean Ayala Jimenez served as the Co-Chair for San Antonio’s TRIO Alliance and is a member of the San Antonio Education Partnership and Council for Opportunity in Education.
As articulated in Board Policy A.1.1[20], the College District is known by the assumed names of “Alamo Colleges” and “Alamo Colleges District” or the “Alamo Community College District.” References to these assumed names in the narrative and any supporting documentation are equivalent. |
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