Josiah Rodriguez has a clear memory of the fall of 2024, when he dropped off his mother, Roxann Monrreal, at San Antonio College on her first day of school.
“It was very full circle because I did this sign with my hand, like a peace sign. She always used to do it with me in pre-K,” Rodriguez said. “I then got a text saying ‘I ran to the restroom and started crying.’”
With the guidance and encouragement of her son, Monrreal, 41, returned to school a year ago to pursue a GED. On Wednesday morning the mother and son — both now pursuing associate degrees at SAC — shared a snippet of their story with about 200 Alamo Colleges District leaders, staff, students and community members at a kick- off ceremony to commemorate the district’s 80th anniversary at the district’s ACCESS building near downtown.
Alamo Colleges Student Trustee Josiah Rodriguez and his mother Roxann Monrreal speak during the Alamo Colleges’ 80th anniversary celebration on Wednesday. They are both currently enrolled at San Antonio College. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report
Fighting back tears and with her 5-month-old grandson Zediah Rodriguez in her arms, Monrreal said there were times when a higher education degree seemed impossible, but she never lost hope.
“I had Josiah when I was 17, just five days before my 18th birthday… Like many other young parents, I had to put my education on hold,” Monrreal said. “I always believed I would go back someday… Watching Josiah achieve his dreams gave me the push that I needed to go back and earn my GED.”
Chancellor Mike Flores acknowledged the success of all five Alamo Colleges — San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s College, Northwest Vista College and Northeast Lakeview College — in reaching students like Monrreal and Rodriguez with opportunities to find their way into higher education.
This year, Alamo Colleges District reported its highest student enrollment in history, reaching nearly 88,000 students this fall, an increase of more than 20,000 students over the last three years.
“This anniversary is really about the lives that we’ve all changed together,” Flores said. “Those of us here at each one of the colleges, at the centers, at high schools, connecting individuals with opportunities.”
The chancellor pointed to programs like AlamoPROMISE, which covers the tuition of qualifying high school students enrolling across its colleges, as well as wrap-around services such as AlamoBOOKS+, which provides textbook rentals and digital materials, as key elements to ensure students find less barriers along the way.
“Because we know the difference between struggle and success is a credential, a post-high school certification that our students can take to the bank for a brighter future for themselves and their families,” Flores said.
Alamo Colleges Chancellor Mike Flores addresses the crowd during the 80th anniversary celebration at the Alamo Colleges District Access Building on Wednesday morning. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report
For Rodriguez, 23, these barriers were not only financial, but also mental. He described battling through fear, self doubt and imposter syndrome to enroll and later attend a college not far from his neighborhood on the West Side of San Antonio.
He and his family now take advantage of Alamo Colleges resources including mental health services, their campus food pantry and even utility assistance as needed.
Rodriguez is now less than two semesters away from graduating from SAC; he’ll then be transferring to University of Texas at San Antonio to pursue a degree in public administration.
In his pursuit to give back to his community, Rodriguez is also dedicating his last year at SAC to serving as student trustee on the Alamo Colleges District board, representing students like him, his mother, and his sister, Amaryllis Rodriguez, who is also now seeking a degree at SAC.
“Growing up in the Cassiano apartments, I noticed that so many people gave back, and these are people who don’t have anything,” Rodriguez said, referring to the public housing project. “So that’s always been so inspiring seeing how people could really come (together) as a community. I found that here at Alamo Colleges which has inspired me and kept me going.”
San Antonio College student Roxann Monrreal with her 5-month-old grandson Zediah, who she watches while her daughter is in class. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report
The celebration of 80 years of service also included a ballet folklorico performance by Palo Alto College students to the sound of “El Son de La Negra,” a proclamation presented by state Sen. José Menéndez and remarks by Alamo Colleges Board Chair Clint Kingsbery.
As for the future of Alamo Colleges District, Flores said their focus is in being able to keep up with the district’s growth. This year, voters approved a nearly $1 billion bond for the creation of new facilities that will expand its programs, from bachelor’s degrees, to associate degrees and trade certificates.
“I think that’s the next foray,” Flores said. “Ensuring that we deliver new facilities and convenient access to our neighbors in Bexar County and the region through the bond, being able to ensure they can connect not only through our campuses but also to courses and credentials through online learning.”