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.

Dr. Francisco Solis talks with Hot Mustard about the recent graduates at the Fire Sciences Academy. 18 Fire Academy cadets completed the rigorous 16-hour training and received their Basic Firefighter Level 1 Certificate. Fire science careers include fire inspectors, fire investigators, arson investigators, and of course on-site firefighters. Students can also get a Level 1 Certificate in just six months at the SAC Law Enforcement Academy because classes are now being offered full-time to accommodate students.

As we begin the new year, we are also looking forward to a major milestone coming up in September 2025. San Antonio College will celebrate its 100th anniversary. SAC first opened its doors in 1925, in San Antonio’s Main High School. Classes were held in the building in the evening after the high school students went home. SAC is planning for the next anniversary and the next 100 years.

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