A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Flores

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May 2026

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About the show

A Seat @ The Table is an intimate, live-streamed interview series between Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores and special guests, including Alamo Colleges students, faculty, staff, and area partners. The live-streamed episodes give viewers the unique opportunity to pull up a seat and be a part of the conversation by submitting questions to be answered live.

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16 recent

May 27, 202628 min

A Seat at the Table: The Class of 2026 is Made for Great Things

Graduation may be over, but the stories behind the caps and gowns are worth hearing.This year, the Alamo Colleges District celebrated more than 15,000 degrees and certificates earned by the Class of 2026, including AlamoPROMISE scholars and high school students getting a head start on college.In this special graduation episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores and Student Trustee Josiah sit down with one graduate from each college to reflect on their journey, what shaped their experience at the Alamo Colleges, and what comes next.From workforce training to college degrees, these graduates represent resilience, opportunity, and a brighter future for our community. We’re #AlamoPROUD to celebrate the next generation of leaders, workers, and changemakers.Visit alamo.edu/grads to learn more about the Class of 2026.

February 5, 202635 min

The Power of the Arts: How Creativity Shapes Opportunity

How can the arts open doors and create opportunities for students?Join Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores in conversation with Vincent Valdez, inaugural Artist in Residence for the Alamo Colleges District, and James Miller, Professor of Art at Northeast Lakeview College and member of the District Arts Commission.Together, they explore how innovative arts initiatives and hands-on learning experiences are creating meaningful pathways for students. Discover how creativity transforms lives, strengthens communities, and expands opportunity across San Antonio and beyond.

May 23, 202529 min

This Moment was Made for You: Congratulations, Class of 2025!

This year, the Alamo Colleges District is proud to celebrate the graduation of more than 11,000 students across our five colleges, including nearly 1,500 AlamoPROMISE scholars and 950 high school program graduates who earned their associate degrees or certificates before walking the stage at their high school ceremonies.While the semester is coming to an end, this is only the beginning for our Alamo Colleges graduates.Five of our student graduates, one from each of our Alamo Colleges, recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to share experiences they have gained while being Alamo Colleges students and their plans for the future.

May 1, 202525 min

A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Flores: Shaping San Antonio’s First Responders at SAC

In our newest episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores explores the vital work of the First Responders Academy at San Antonio College – a program that trains more than 500 graduates annually for careers in law enforcement, fire science, correctional science, and emergency medical services.This episode features a conversation with:Zaida Huerta, a First Responders Academy cadetChief Manuel Casarez of the Boerne Fire DepartmentChief John Jahanara of the Balcones Heights Police DepartmentTogether, they discuss what it takes to serve on the front lines and how the Alamo Colleges District is shaping the next generation of first responders through hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum, and strong public safety partnerships.Want to learn more about San Antonio College’s First Responders Academy? Learn more here.

March 5, 202521 min

A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Flores: Cultivating the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Experts

Cybersecurity is more critical than ever, and the Alamo Colleges District is preparing the next generation of experts. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity jobs are projected to grow by 31% from 2019 to 2029, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled professionals. In our latest episode of A Seat at the Table, Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores sits down with Alicia Butler, Academic Engagement Lead at the National Security Agency (NSA) in Texas, and Michael Enriquez, a student in the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity program at St. Philip’s College, to explore how partnerships in higher education are shaping the future of digital security.Tune in as we discuss:How the Alamo Colleges District collaborates with the NSA to expand cybersecurity education.The cutting-edge BAT of Cybersecurity degree at St. Philip’s College and its role in San Antonio’s workforce development.The personal journey of a St. Philip’s College cybersecurity student preparing for a high-demand career.

January 24, 2025Episode 3421 min

A Seat at the Table: Empowering Families with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio

We’re thrilled to share an insightful new podcast episode with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. The episode explores our exciting partnership to bridge the gap between higher education and childcare. In this episode, Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District, discusses how this collaboration transforms access to education and supports student parents. Mariana Perez, a proud UTSA alumna and YMCA of Greater San Antonio member, and Louis Lopez, YMCA of Greater San Antonio CEO, join him as they discuss how the partnership impacts the community. During the summer, the partnership served 1,333 students, providing childcare and camp services for Alamo Colleges students and their children. Some key topics they explored include: How this partnership benefits families How the YMCA of Greater San Antonio is expanding its support to Alamo Colleges students and their families Learn more about how this initiative is reshaping opportunities for our community

December 5, 202422 min

A Seat at the Table - Humble Beginnings to Greatness: A Recipe for Success

This episode will feature Chef Ana Pulido, a renowned Mexican-American chef, and James Beard Foundation Award winner for Best Chef: Texas. Chef Pulido's inspiring journey from the Rio Grande Valley to national recognition will serve as a beacon for Alamo Colleges District students, especially those in the St. Philip's College Culinary Program. The episode will also include insights from a faculty member and a current student, offering a multi-faceted discussion on education, cultural heritage, and the pursuit of culinary excellence.

August 30, 202421 min

New Promise-to-Promise Program Expands Transfer Options for Students

Earlier this year, Alamo Colleges and Texas A&M University-San Antonio announced an expanded transfer agreement that enables eligible students to start at any of the five Alamo Colleges and seamlessly transfer to TAMU-SA to complete a four-year degree, with educational costs covered at both institutions. The Promise-to-Promise partnership also ensures automatic admission from Alamo Colleges District to TAMU-SA. Students like Aubri Lalinde will be among the first to benefit from the new Promise-to-Promise program this fall. A first-generation college student, Aubri recently graduated from Palo Alto College with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration. In this episode, we explore: How Promise-to-Promise is breaking down barriers The collaborative efforts between Alamo Colleges and TAMU-SA on other transfer initiatives The impact of Promise-to-Promise on Aubri’s college journey

May 23, 202431 min

A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Flores – Another Year of Realized Potential: Congratulations, Class of 2024!

Out of our almost 11,000 graduates, almost 800 are AlamoPROMISE scholars-area high school seniors who completed a certificate or degree program without the financial burden of tuition and other fees. The semester is ending, and this is only the beginning for our Alamo College graduates. Six of our student graduates recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to share experiences they have gained while being Alamo Colleges students and their plans for the future. Featured guests: Former Alamo Colleges District Student Trustee And San Antonio College College, Brandon Aviado Northeast Lakeview College Graduate and Judson Early College Academy Valedictorian Rachel Saloria Akouka Northwest Vista College Graduate Michael Centeno Palo Alto College and AlamoPROMISE Graduate Justine Nerio San Antonio College Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduate Jasmine Carrington-Brannon St. Philip’s College Graduate Jason Cervantes Some key concepts they covered include: Advice for students considering the Alamo Colleges How the Alamo Colleges has prepared our graduates for the future How AlamoPROMISE is positioning one student for higher education To learn more about our grads, visit alamo.edu/grads

April 3, 202420 min

Expanding the Texas Talent Pipeline: A Conversation with Dr. Harrison Keller

Dr. Harrison Keller, Commissioner of Higher Education, is a sixth-generation Texan with nearly twenty-five years of experience in state budget and policy, university administration, fundraising, and building coalitions among higher education institutions, school districts, and policymakers. Dr. Keller recently took part in a special edition of A Seat at the Table with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to speak about collaborative efforts to expand the Texas talent pipeline and the significance of House Bill 8—a $683 million investment in community colleges aimed at rewarding schools for aiding students in completing their degrees or certificates. Some key concepts covered during this episode include: How the Building a Talent Strong Texas Plan aims to award valuable credentials to Texans The impact of House Bill 8 Future Focus on Collaboration and Workforce