Community Column: Higher education is for all ages

Since our founding in 1985, 帕洛阿尔托学院 has remained dedicated to ensuring educational access for students of all ages. Our students range from high school graduates entering college for the first time or individuals who have been in the workforce for many years 和 are looking for a credential to help get to the next level in their career.

Some students may be the first in their family to attend college, 和 some may have never considered college as an option because of family obligations, 工作承诺, 时间限制, or financial challenges — all of which might create obstacles difficult to overcome.

No matter our students' circumstances, our faculty 和 staff provide our students with excellent instruction, 无数的资源, 和 high-impact practices that lead to academic 和 student success.

That's why 帕洛阿尔托学院 has continually offered academic programs over the last 30 years that provide students with foundational skills applicable to a variety of fields 和 industries. 今天, the 大学 offers transfer degrees 和 more than 50 specialized associate degrees 和 certificates in technical programs including Business Management, 计算技术, Healthcare Administration, 和 Logistics 和 Supply Chain Management. Many of our programs are built to accommodate working students, with flexible schedules 和 online courses.

In southern parts of 圣安东尼奥, more than 25 percent of residents don't have a high school diploma or GED, which is often the first level credential for completing their education 和 creating a pathway toward a successful career. 作为接入的捍卫者, 帕洛阿尔托学院 offers the Adult Learning Academy, a program that provides resources for individuals to prepare for their GED, 达成个人目标, secure gainful employment, 和 improve their quality of life.
It's truly a great time to be a part of the 帕洛阿尔托学院 family, 和 we encourage any individuals looking to continue their education to take the first step by joining us at our annual Countdown to 大学 event.

On Monday, 7月 22 from 8 a.m. 到10点.m., certified advisors will be available throughout the day to help complete applications, 参加分班考试, 讨论学位计划, 注册课程, get financial aid information, 和 make payment arrangements for the Fall 2019 semester. To learn more, call our Welcome Center at 210-486-3100.

As job growth continues in 圣安东尼奥 和 employers look to us to produce a prepared workforce, 帕洛阿尔托学院 will continue to provide exceptional instruction, gainful employment opportunities, 和 foundational skills to ensure the life-long success of our students 和 the community we serve.

这是博士的专栏. 罗伯特·加尔萨, president of 帕洛阿尔托学院, was originally published in the 圣安东尼奥 Express-新闻' Southside Reporter 和 mysanantonio.com.