Palo Alto College was the culmination of a struggle that began in earnest in November 1982 when Southside community leaders, spearheaded by the Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS) organization, sought and received the endorsement of Gubernatorial candidate Mark White for a community college in the under-served Southside of Bexar County.
COPS and Southside leaders then approached Alamo Community College District trustees to build a third college. Trustees established the college on February 21, 1983, and it was chartered by the Texas Legislature on March 19, 1983 – the official date of its founding.
Palo Alto College classes began with 231 students in high schools and at military installations in September 1985, and administrative offices were located at Billy Mitchell Village outside the Kelly Air Force Base gates.
Through a bond issue passed by Bexar County voters, the $13 million campus was built to accommodate 2,050 students on land inside Loop 410 at Texas Highway 16 in southern Bexar County.
When the mission-style campus opened in January 1987, the new college attracted students from throughout Bexar County and adjoining counties and was named the fastest growing college in Texas in 1991.
Consistent increases in enrollment have prompted much physical growth, specifically through the construction of new facilities for added classroom space as well as sports and recreation. The college is located on 126 acres.
The original complex consisted of 26 classrooms in 11 buildings, including a 15,000-square-foot Learning Resources Center, or Library.
A $3.6 million, two-story General Education classroom building opened in January 1991, doubling the classroom space on campus. A $10.5 million Natatorium/Gymnasium Complex opened in January 1992 as a partnership with the City of San Antonio.
The $9.5 million, 77,000-square-foot George Ozuna Jr. Learning Resources & Academic Computing Center opened in August 1997, adding one-third to the square footage at the college.
The Ray Ellison Family Center to accommodate the child care needs of 66 children, opened in October 2001, and the Applied Technology Center opened in January 2005.
Permanent presidents have been Dr. Terry Dicianna, Dr. Byron Skinner, Dr. Joel Vela, Dr. Enrique Solis, and the current president, Dr. Ana M."Cha" Guzmán.
The college achieved full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1989. Its accreditation was reaffirmed in 2002.
The emphasis of Palo Alto College always has been its students. Enrollment reached a peak in Fall 2005 with 8,100 students reported. Historically, Hispanics comprise more than half of Palo Alto's enrollment, and females generally outnumber males.
Palo Alto's education outreach extends well beyond its campus and into "the heart of the community," the college slogan adopted in 1993. The mascot is the Palomino.
Courses are offered in off-campus locations such as surrounding area high schools and local military installations.
In addition, a dual-credit program enables students to take Palo Alto courses and earn college credit while still in high school as an incentive to pursue a higher education upon graduation. Palo Alto College was among eight community colleges in the nation examined in a Ford Foundation study because its students are highly successful when transferring to four- year universities.
Palo Alto College became the home of The Frank M. Tejeda/Palo Alto College Scholarship in April 1996.
In Fall 2000 Texas A&M University-Kingsville began offering junior- and senior-level courses on the Palo Alto College campus. Through the Pathway Model from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, TAMUK can operate a System Center until they reach the equivalent of 1,500 full-time students. At that time, with the approval of the Coordinating Board and the Texas Legislature, Texas A&M University-San Antonio could become a reality on the southside. The System Center offers a variety of programs, including teacher certification in some areas.
After 20 years, Palo Alto College is making a difference and moving forward to share its campus and its resources to improve its community.
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| Percent of Students International: | 0% |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | In-District | In-State | Out-of-State |
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 1,232 | $ 2,192 | $ 4,112 |
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 960 | $ 1,920 | $ 3,840 |
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 272 | $ 272 | $ 272 |
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 3,458 | 42% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 801 | 5% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 637 | 21% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 2,171 | 6% | |
Any Aid: |
73% |
