PAC Student Media

By Justin Guerrero
Pulse Staff Reporter

Palo Alto College is proud of all its graduates, but there are some who have gone above and beyond what even they themselves thought possible. These success stories are our PAC Stars.

Anthony D. Alvarado, Sr., is an adjunct faculty here at Palo Alto in the Oil & Gas Department. Most know Alvarado as “Cowboy”. After he was honorably discharged for his service in the military, he decided to go back to school. At first he wasn’t sure going back to school was the right thing for him.

“I was a lot older than everyone else,” said Alvarado.

He pushed through and now has five degrees, including his master’s from Texas A&M University at Kingsville.

“Study, study. You’re here to learn not to play around…find a study group that works and keep on it,” he said.

Alvarado currently loves his job at Palo Alto College. He enjoys teaching and says that his students are responding well to his teaching methods, especially with all his experiences and words of wisdom.

Caroline Mains, lead instructor of Freshman Composition, said, “I am absolutely delighted, but not surprised, by his success. Anthony deserves the accolades he has received. Whenever I hear of a former student, like Anthony, who has earned such success, I am so very, very proud, and I admit it–I get choked up when I hear of the awards or accomplishments the student has received.”

Jennifer Guerrero is another Palo Alto success story.

“I wasn’t a traditional student but I had the foundation of the military to keep me in line and get my stuff in order,” said Guerrero, a retired medical technician in the Air Force. “It’s a whole different life out here, and I honestly don’t think I could have made it this far after retirement without the education I received from Palo Alto.”

Guerrero received her Pre-Nursing associate’s here at PAC and received her bachelor’s of Nursing at Galen School of Nursing. She works for several private institutions and enjoys her schedule.

“I am now proud to say I am a retired veteran with a degree, doing what I didn’t think was possible with this career in nursing,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero is currently going back to school part time to pursue her master’s degree in Nursing to possibly become a nursing instructor, as well. She hopes with her experience as a medical technician in the Air Force for 20 years and her current career that she can help the nurses of tomorrow.

Mains said, “The key is to keep moving toward your goal, no matter what…Do not be shy about asking for help. Everyone at PAC is committed to helping each student achieve success.”