Dr. Adelina S. Silva, vice chancellor of student success, introduces the myAlamoCareer.org, a virtual career center, at the regular board meeting Tuesday. The virtual center is for individuals seeking information such as availability, potential employment or simply knowledge of their chosen career path. Casey Alcala
A new virtual career center boasts a link to degree plans for career suggestions.
By Carlos Ferrand
cferrand@student.alamo.edu
The Alamo Colleges’ board of trustees voted 7-0 to renew its contract for an estimated $105,000 with investment advisory firm, First Southwest Asset Management Inc. during its regular board meeting Tuesday in Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan.
Trustees Joe Alderte Jr. and Denver McClendon were not at the meeting.
First Southwest has provided consultation and evaluation of investment opportunities for the district since 2008.
The contract guarantees First Southwest $40,000 with up to $65,000 more if additional services are required for bond proceeds based on a $500 million portfolio.
According to district Treasurer Tracy Bedwell, no major bond proceeds are expected.
In fiscal year 2013, the district earned between $100,000 and $200,000 on investment opportunities.
In other news, Dr. Adelina S. Silva, vice chancellor of student success, presented a video featuring Chancellor Bruce Leslie and Patrick Newman, executive director for Workforce Solutions Alamo, showcasing myAlamoCareer.org launched Sept. 17.
Created by the Alamo Colleges and Workforce Solutions Alamo, myAlamoCareer.org is a virtual career center that allows users to browse a 3-D world and interact with multiple education, career and employment options.
Users can log in and visit several virtual floors to access information on career paths, available employment and direct links to the Alamo Colleges.
“It will link degree plans that we offer to careers that are available in the community,” Leslie said, “It is a very, very powerful tool.”
In other news, the Alamo Colleges’ board of trustees unanimously approved a two-plus-two career pathway affiliate agreement between St. Philip’s College and the University of Houston.
The agreement calls for the university to offer upper-division courses on the St. Philip’s campus to allow students working on a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management to stay in the city.
The first upper-division courses are expected in spring.
According to sachamber.org, the hospitality industry in San Antonio brought in $12 billion in 2011.
St. Philip’s offers associate of applied science degrees in hotel management, hospitality management, restaurant management, culinary arts, and baking and pastry arts. For more information on the agreement, call 210-486-2317.
