Alumni Spotlight...Sibling Nurses!

Siblings James and Linda Broherd studied Pre-Nursing at PAC from 2004-2005 before transferring to San Antonio College's Nursing program.They spent countless hours studying together on evenings and weekends and cheering each other on to reach their goal. Now they are both registered nurses in San Antonio, TX. Check out their inspiring stories below.

James Broherd

What were the factors that influenced your decision to change your career and attend PAC?

James: Prior to attending Palo Alto College, I was working as a machinist, rebuilding automotive engines. Engines became more reliable as computers became increasingly involved in the manufacturing process. This lessened the need for automotive machinists.

Linda: I had been talking about returning to school and finishing nursing for some time. I was in the program in my twenties but dropped out of college after having my daughter and becoming a single parent. My sister was registering her two oldest children at PAC when she called and invited me to go with them. We both decided to enroll and my college quest began again.

Linda Broherd

What were the greatest challenges you had to overcome in order to complete your associate's degree?

James: I simply took the courses outlined in the PAC Pre-Nursing degree plan. It was very thorough and perfectly prepared me for San Antonio College School of Nursing. Most challenges that I faced were pretty ordinary, such as managing  finances, balancing work, family life, and studies.

Linda: Working full-time and going to school was my biggest challenge, in addition to the added financial responsibility. The determination to finish the nursing program that I had dropped out of so many years ago also drove me. It provided an opportunity to show my daughter that anything is possible if you strive for it. With financial assistance from Project Quest, I was able to overcome the challenges and successfully finish the nursing program at SAC. I am an RN now and work in Post Partum, NICU, and Labor/Delivery.

What PAC instructor or staff member made a difference in your experience at PAC, and why?

James: While I have fond memories of all my instructors at PAC, three especially stand out to me: Ms. Olga Hernandez (Anatomy and Physiology), Ms. Katherine Murin (Microbiology), and Mr. Randy Hunt (Organic Chemistry). These professors had several attributes that made them outstanding. They were all very passionate about their fields and they all facilitated learning by expressing relatively difficult subjects in ways that students could understand. Carmen Velasquez in Admissions (now at the Office of Student Engagement & Retention) was especially helpful in coordinating class as well as presenting many beneficial opportunities.

Linda: Ms. Katherine Murin (Microbiology) had the biggest impact on me. She was very knowledgeable in her field and made the class interesting.  

What memory stands out the most from your experience at PAC?

James: Palo Alto College has the best collaborative study rooms that I have ever seen. We organized study groups and took advantage of those rooms week after week. 

Linda: My best memory was when we worked on our "unknowns" in microbiology. A microbiology lab unknown assignment is one in which the professor gives you a test tube full of an organism and you are given a few days to run tests and lab experiments to determine what the substance is.    

What are you most proud of since leaving PAC?

James: I am most proud that I finished the course and became a Registered Nurse in the Intermediate Intensive Care Unit in a prominent downtown hospital here in San Antonio, TX.

Linda: I am proud of my accomplishments and plan to work on obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.  

If you were in a room of PAC students, what words of wisdom would you give?

James: I would advise prospective students to stay the course. There are a hundred reasons to quit but thousands to continue. Read before class gets underway. Study with a group and be sure to help those that don't get it. Somehow, when you find ways to explain a difficult subject to someone else, you also embed it with a deeper understanding in yourself.  

Linda: I would tell them to take their education seriously. Take advantage of all PAC has to offer. PAC will open doors you never knew you could enter. Your future begins at PAC. Make the most of it.

Hispanic Heritage Month at PAC - Sept. 15 - Oct. 15

PAC's Office of Student Engagement and Retention invites you to view the full Hispanic Heritage Month schedule here.

PAC Logistics in the News - Students Wanted!

Fitness in the Park

Labor Day has come and gone. Summer is officially over and it won't be long before Fall weather arrives. It's a perfect time to get outdoors and get active. Get ready. Get Set. Go! To your local parks for free Fitness in the Park classes beginning Sept. 27. The program offers you a myriad of opportunities to improve your physical fitness, from zumba to walking and running groups to high intensity workouts and boot camps all taught by professional instructors. The classes are offered in conjunction with the Mayor's Fitness Council. Here's a list of what's available:

Zumba. Boot Camp Fitness. Yoga. Walking & Race Walking. Cross Training. RoTenGo. Tabata Training. Insanity! Adaptive Exercise. Aerobics. Trail Hiking. Swimming. Water Aerobics. Kettle bell Conditioning. Body Jam.

Open to all ages and fitness levels. No pre-registration required. Click here for more information.  

Artists Needed - Hecho A Mano/Made by Hand Event

Alumni Volunteer Opportunities

Calling All Alumni

Calling all Alumni - we are seeking volunteers for upcoming campus-wide events, and we need your help.

If you would like to volunteer at our upcoming events, please contact Daniel Uresti, Jr. at duresti@alamo.edu or 210-486-3117. Volunteer your time, network with college staff, and get  first-hand experience working with a college department.

The Office of Student Engagement and Retention will be holding its first annual PASO 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, October 20, 2012  to benefit student scholarships. The race begins at 8:30am and there will be prizes for the top 3 finishers in each age group.

All Alumni & Friends runners and volunteers will receive a free vehicle decal. Online registration begins Monday, September 24 here. To register in person, please visit the Office of Student Engagement and Retention in the Student Center, Room 124.

To volunteer, please contact Daniel Uresti at duresti@alamo.edu.

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is seeking volunteers for the upcoming tax season. They offer free training and will give you the experience necessary to help your community while building upon your own skill set. See the benefits below:

*Free Training and IRS Certification

*Promote Tax Understanding and Awareness

*Gain Marketable Skill and Expand Your Resume

*Give Back to Your Community

For more information, visit the VITA website or call Cristina Alaniz at 210-222-2975 for more information.

Student Loan Forgiveness

Photo from ConsumerCredit.com

Did you know that there are flexible repayment plans to help you repay your student loans? 

Income Based Repayment is a new repayment plan for the major types of federal loans made to students. Under IBR, the required monthly payment is capped at an amount that is intended to be affordable based on income and family size.  

If you qualify for IBR and you work in a public service field (teaching, social work, higher ed, non-profit, etc.), you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Loans will be forgiven after 120 consecutive payments while working full time in a public service position!

To find out more, click here.