Proud Day for SAC Grads as 1,300 Participate in Alamodome Commencement

COMMENCEMENT
Alamo Colleges Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores 2025 congratulates a graduate and poses for a photo. Photo by Janelle Aléman.

A sea of red filled the Alamodome as more than 1,300 San Antonio College graduates proudly walked the stage at the Alamodome during the college’s 2025 commencement ceremony May 21.

Friends and families gathered to watch as students — many with caps decorated with personal messages — marched across the stage. 

More than 1,300 SAC graduates gathered at the Alamodome during the college's 2025 commencement ceremony May 21. Photo by Janelle Aléman.

San Antonio College President Dr. Francisco Solis presented myriad degrees and certificates to the class of 2025. Solis, who had served as SAC’s interim president since March 2024, officially became SAC’s 14th president May 20 after the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees unanimously approved his selection. His bilingual presentation focused on the many opportunities SAC and the Alamo Colleges provide “in a rapidly evolving world.” 

Many students personalized their graduation caps with artwork and messages of love and faith. Photo by Janelle Aléman.

Elias Navarro Moreno, a SAC student who received his Associate of Applied Science in Radio and TV Broadcasting, said receiving his degree at the commencement ceremony was a very proud moment. 

“Graduating from SAC means a lot,” he said. “It proves that someone like me, someone not as well off, can get through higher education. I proved to myself I can reach the level of success I aspire to, and it feels really nice to walk the stage with the people I’ve met along my journey at SAC.” 

Thousands of family members and friends of the graduates attended the commencement ceremony. Photo by Janelle Aléman.

Navarro Moreno said he’s been accepted to the University of Texas at San Antonio and plans to complete a bachelor’s in film and media studies.

Alamo Colleges Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores shook hands and congratulated students after Solis handed them their degrees. Flores said more than 11,000 students are graduating throughout the Alamo Colleges District in 2025, and the average number of graduates has been on a continuous climb since the COVID-19 pandemic.

COMMENCEMENT
San Antonio College Radio-TV-Film Distinguished Graduate Michele Tinoco, right, celebrated her achievement with her peers at the commencement ceremony. Tinoco, also a Phi Theta Kappa member and non-traditional student, produced her own podcast featuring hispanic Alamo Colleges women at KSYM, the college’s radio station. Photo by Janelle Aléman.

Flores congratulated Solis on being selected as SAC’s permanent president and celebrated the passing of the Alamo Colleges $987 million bond initiative, which Bexar County voters passed May 3.

The bond, which will fund new academic and workforce facilities, including centers for nursing, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies will help serve the district’s 80,000 students. That number is expected to climb to 100,000 in 2029. 

Amanda Sue Villareal, who earned her associate of science in nursing, poses for a photo with her mother, Dena Pena, at the Alamodome May 21. Photo by Janelle Aléman.

Solis also spoke of the 100-year anniversary of SAC and of the celebrations that are being planned for the Fall 2025 semester. 

Dr. Clint Kingsbery, chair of District Board of Trustees told graduates “Remember your perseverance that got you here and this incredible institution that is SAC backing you every step of the way.” 

Read Next: Bexar County Voters Approve $987 Million Bond for Alamo Colleges

Picture of Janelle Aléman

Janelle Aléman

Janelle Aléman is a multimedia journalism student at San Antonio College.
Picture of Janelle Aléman

Janelle Aléman

Janelle Aléman is a multimedia journalism student at San Antonio College.