This week, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education” published a list of the 2020 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges award winners.
Northwest Vista College is among the 16 colleges in the nation that earned this recognition along with two of our sister colleges: Northeast Lakeview and San Antonio College. This is the second time NVC and NLC have earned these awards.
NISOD recognizes community and technical colleges annually for their commitments to diversity through what they describe as “best-in-class student and staff recruitment and retention practices, inclusive learning and working environments, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities.”
NVC earning this award in 2018 and 2020 is not an accident. It’s the result of our commitment to excellence for the past 25 years. It is also the result of the work we’ve been doing to address issues of access and equity.
The last two months have been challenging but they have further solidified what we’ve already known, that NVC is more than a collection of beautiful buildings and outstanding facilities. There is no denying that our campus is striking to all who visit us. But the student experience is the driving force of our success. If you’re ever in doubt, reach into your inbox for emails from students.
This week, I received an email from a 2018 alumna, Angelica Lugma. Her story summarizes and represents the experience and successes of NVC graduates over our 25th year history. I share the letter here with you because Angelica’s achievement was made possible by the foundation she cultivated at NVC in combination with her own perseverance. Angelica’s positive experience at NVC carried her forward. My hope is that her story and that of all of our students will continue to carry our work forward.
Thank you for your dedication to NVC!
Dear Dr. Baser,
Hello again, I hope you are doing well! It’s Angelica Lugma, a graduate from NVC from Spring 2018. I am emailing you today to provide an update on my academic career as promised. I finished my third semester of nursing school, and I only have one more to go. My graduation is this December, and I am more excited than ever. As I continue with my studies, I discover that I am in a profession that is very rewarding!
I carried on my drive and inspiration that I cultivated at Northwest Vista College to lead here at the school of nursing. During my 1.5 years here at UT Health, I am serving as the president of the National Student Nurses Association, vice president of the School of Nursing Student Council, and the vice president of my graduating class; I was even a tutor for two nursing course subjects! While maintaining great academics, I built relationships and began to acquire the ‘nursing brain’ to be able to apply my education and passion to change the lives of others.
I am thankful for the impact you made on me in my education as I am nearing the completion of my BSN. I will keep you updated as December nears.
Respectfully,
Angelica Lugma
President⎜ NSNA
Vice President⎜ NSC
Vice President⎜ TBSN December 2020