Dr. Francisco Solis, San Antonio College President, and Hot Mustard talk about the 10th anniversary of the Scobee Education Center. The Center has engaged and inspired the community, especially students, on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through education on astronomy and space. The Scobee Education Center is made up of several different parts, including the Scobee Planetarium, Scanlan Observatory, the Challenger Center, and the Santikos Micronaut Center. The oldest part of the center is the planetarium, which opened its doors in 1961. Since then, a million visitors have visited the facility, most of them school-aged children who came during field trips. the Scobee Education Center will hold a party from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. Tickets for three planetarium shows will be reduced to only $3 and will be available only online. For a link, visit https://www.alamo.edu/sac/Scobee

The SAC mortuary science program has been reaccredited by American Board of Funeral Service Education Committee on Accreditation. The reaccreditation is for seven years, the maximum accreditation term. It also comes with no stipulations on any changes. This speaks to the quality of the academic program that it received such high reaccreditation standards.

More information on the Mortuary Program is available at https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/allied-health-and-kinesiology/mortuary-science/

Residents can find more information on the San Antonio College Mortuary at https://sacmortuary.com/

It’s the Last Week of Early Voting. All registered voters in Bexar County can cast their ballot at SAC’s Victory Center. Hours for voting are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 1. County residents who want to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, can also use the Victory Center. Polling hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election day.

Dr. Francisco Solis, San Antonio College President, and Hot Mustard talk about enrollment. SAC reaches a milestone enrolling more than 20,000 students for the fall 2024 semester. After a fall off for enrollment due to the pandemic, SAC’s numbers reached a record total. Employers and transfer schools know that we are offering a great education and look for our students.

SAC offers a new way for students to get to graduation, enrolling in eight-week terms. Instead of a student taking four to five courses during a 16-week semester to receive 12 to 15 hours, the student takes two to three courses for eight weeks, and then another two to three courses for another eight weeks. They then end the 16-week semester by completing at least 12 hours. Research has shown that students have a better completion rate when they are enrolled in an eight-week course. Students interested in the eight-week model can talk to an advisor to take advantage of the program.

Early Voting has begun. All registered voters in Bexar County can cast their ballot at SAC’s Victory Center over the next two weeks.

The President’s Office has begun its annual Holiday Card Competition for SAC students. All students are invited to create a digital card that will be sent from SAC at the end of the semester. The student who designs the winning entry will receive a $500 scholarship. The deadline to submit a digital card is Friday, Nov. 8. More information and guidelines at https://www.alamo.edu/sac/news-events/events/holiday-card-competition/

Dr. Francisco Solis, San Antonio College President, and Hot Mustard start the program talking about a recent study on cell phone usage in the classroom. The study, published in Frontiers in Education, found college students that get short phone breaks in class get higher scores on tests and use their phones less during lectures. The study suggests that one minute breaks are the perfect amount of time.

San Antonio College Observes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Every year, our Empowerment Center sponsors several events to remember the victims of domestic violence and to stop the silence that keeps the community from addressing the issue. Events and exhibits are available here: https://www.alamo.edu/sac/news-events/events/domestic-violence-awareness-month/

Alamo Colleges is a partner with Ready to Work, an educational and job placement program to help San Antonians improve their quality of life. This one-of-a-kind program provides guidance and resources to education. The goal of the Ready to Work program is to get people into a career they will love. For more information, call 210-486-9675 or visit alamo.edu/readytowork

Dr. Francisco Solis, San Antonio College President, and Hot Mustard talk about the various programs for students interested in medical careers. This episode features SAC students Analisa Vasquez, Dental Assisting; Marilyn Garay, Medical Assisting; and Hailey Manka representing the Nursing Program. The students share their why they chose SAC and the importance of helping people.

Dental Assisting provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to care for dental patients by assisting with a variety of treatment procedures. The program also prepares them to meet all state and national requirements for a career in dental assisting.

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/allied-health-and-kinesiology/dental-assisting/

Medical Assisting gives hands-on training and experience in both patient care and administrative duties. Students prepare to test for the certifications needed to work as a medical assistant.

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/allied-health-and-kinesiology/medical-assisting/

San Antonio College offers several paths in the Nursing Program. The General Nursing two-year program allows students to become a registered nurse with no prior medical experience or training. The Nursing Career Mobility LVN to RN program builds on existing skills and knowledge as an LVN or military medic in preparation for a high-demand, well-paying career as an RN. Students can also take advantage of the BSN Nursing Bridge, a program that allows registered nurses (RNs) to complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree in one year or less while continuing to work, preparing them for higher-level nursing roles.

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/nursing-education/nursing/

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/nursing-education/career-mobility-lvn-to-rn-aasmilitary-to-rn-aas/

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/nursing-education/bsn/

This week Dr. Francisco Solis, San Antonio College President, and Hot Mustard talk about the First Responders Academy and its programs. This episode features SAC students Marnevil Wilkerson, law enforcement cadet; Emmanuel Solis, fire academy cadet; and Michael Autrey representing the EMS Program. The students share their experiences with the programs and discuss future plans after completion.

The Law Enforcement Academy is designed to prepare the individual for a career in law enforcement and correctional science. Also, in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Program an AAS degree is available to achieve an Associates of Applied Science (AAS) Degree for career advancement.

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/first-responders-academy/law-enforcement/

The SAC Regional Fire Academy is a 16-week program that prepares you to earn the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) certification. This certification is a requirement to become a firefighter in Texas, along with the successful completion of a recognized emergency medical course, which is also available at SAC.

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/first-responders-academy/fire-academy/

The EMS program is a pathway to a variety of careers in medicine, including nurses, physicians, physician assistants, dispatchers, instructors or emergency medical equipment sales.

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/academics/program-index/first-responders-academy/emergency-medical-technician--paramedic/

Dr. Francisco Solis, San Antonio College President, talks with Hot Mustard about a get-out-the-vote rally held on Monday, September 23rd. Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris's husband, was joined by Mayor Ron Nirenberg, U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, and his twin brother, former Mayor Julian Castro. Dr. Solis emphasizes the importance of voting and getting students involved.

Hot Mustard asks Dr. Solis about his opinion on smart phones in the classroom. California Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed a law on Monday requiring schools to limit or ban the use of smartphones. Over a dozen other states have passed similar rules this year.

The Career Services Office and the First Responders Academy is holding a Protective & Emergency Services Hiring Fair on Saturday, September 28th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Responders Academy. More than 30 agencies have signed up from across the state.

Mi Gente Heritage Month continues with the Antojitos Festival on Wednesday, September 25th in the SAC Mall Area and a Santita’s Sweet 16 Party from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, September 26th, in the Loftin Student Center Fiesta Room.

Dr. Francisco Solis talks with Hot Mustard about San Antonio College celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month. The SAC community celebrates this event with a different name “Mi Gente Heritage Month. The theme for this year is “Our Stories: From Grassroots Communities to College Campuses and Beyond.” The title reflects the question “Who is in charge of telling our stories?” For a long time, the Latino community had few opportunities to say who they were. Instead, they were defined by people on the outside. At the worst, the stories told about Latinos were negative and enforced stereotypes and prejudices.

They also discuss SAC receiving the Military City USA grant from the Department of Defense. The grant is for expanding the workforce in the Science/Technology/Engineering/Math (STEM) fields and supporting veterans who are looking for a career in STEM once they leave the military. SAC was able to reward $100,000 in scholarships to 30 students for this year alone.

Dr. Francisco Solis talks with Hot Mustard about National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. Every year, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, known as HACU, marks national HSI week, to promote the important role HSI schools play in improving access to education and advancing equity for traditionally underserved students. Hispanics make up the largest student population at SAC at 69.2%.

September is also National Student Parent Month. National Student Parent month is a time to celebrate student parents in higher education and recognize the need to further empower this group of students.

Dr. Solis and Hot Mustard also discuss the importance of Financial Aid and voting.