NVC Welcomes New Dean for Academic Success
January 20, 2022
(Jan. 20, 2022) — Northwest Vista College welcomes Dr. Robert Ayala, a new dean for Academic Success. Since 2012, he served as the division chair of Arts and Sciences at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, Texas.
Dr. Ayala has over 15 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, curriculum design, program design, and vision setting in both academic and student affairs divisions. Throughout his career at SWTJC, he secured over $14 million in federal grants funding various research and institutional initiatives.
Dr. Ayala has spent considerable time in the Alamo City as an undergraduate and research assistant. Dr. Ayala received his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at San Antonio and his master's degree from Angelo State University. A former Biology professor, Dr. Ayala has given many presentations on STEM-related topics at conferences and has been the lead project director overseeing several major STEM grants.
Dr. Ayala is married to Kathryn, a psychology instructor at SWTJC. Together, they have four children, ranging in age from 5 to 22.
As a first-generation American and first-generation college student, Dr. Ayala says, “I love the world-leading innovation that our higher education system cultivates, as well as the social mobility and capital it provides. Most importantly, I am appreciative of the opportunities community colleges provide to almost half of the college student population. I am sincerely grateful for the kindness and cariño that I have received and am blessed to now be part the NVC family. I am honored and looking forward to serving the students and community of San Antonio.”
- Dr. Russell Frohardt, Dean for Academic Success – Computer Sciences and Technology, Fine and Performing Arts, Math and Engineering, Natural and Physical Sciences and Social Sciences
- Pat Fontenot, Dean for Academic Success – Academic Support Services
- Jennifer Comedy-Holmes, Dean for Student Success – Veteran Affairs, Services to Students with Disabilities, Student Development, Student Life, Experiential Learning/Career Navigators, and Title IX
- Robin Lund, Dean for Student Success – Academic Advising and Enrollment Services
Contact:
Melissa Monroe-Young, mmonroe-young@54zhangmi.com
Manager, Marketing & Strategic Communications
Northwest Vista College (NVC), part of the Alamo Colleges District, is federally designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), an institution of higher learning with a full-time equivalent undergraduate student enrollment that is at least 25% Hispanic. The college opened in 1995 with 12 students and has grown to one of the largest institutions of higher education in San Antonio and the region with current enrollment exceeding 19,000 students. Located in Westover Hills, NVC’s expanding agreements with business and higher education partnerships provide a wealth of opportunities for students and the community.