SAN ANTONIO, Texas, May 31, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Northwest Vista College President Dr. Ric Neal Baser is receiving the Legacy Educator of the Year Award from the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Baser is one of five San Antonio leaders who will be recognized on Friday, May 31 at the Legacy Gala, an immersive art, dance and awards show dedicated to the celebration of diversity and collective contributions to the community. The event will take place at 7 pm at The Plaza Club, 100 W. Houston Street.
West Chamber President Kristi Villanueva said, "The West Chamber recognizes strategic and innovative leaders. Dr. Ric Baser has dedicated his life to education and leadership and has mobilized his faculty and staff to double graduation rates, build business and community partnerships and create a culture of achievement and success that impacts economic progress on the West Side and throughout the San Antonio community."
For more than two decades, NVC has had a presence in West San Antonio with its Community Health Worker and Water Resource Science programs at the Westside Education and Training Center. NVC is hoping to continue partnering with the West Chamber to encourage and assist more residents to earn an associate's degree. According to Niche.com, only 17% of West Side residents have some college or an associate's degree compared to a national average of 29%.
During his five-year tenure as Northwest Vista College president, Baser has pushed for excellence in student success which has resulted in:
- Establishing a Veteran's Lounge and Resource Center on campus
- Opening the Vista Central Welcome Center, a hub for student services
- Creating an NVC Food Pantry on campus (42% of NVC students are economically disadvantaged)
- Launching an Archaeology Field School in Von Ormy, Texas for excavation projects
- Breaking ground on a new Welcome Center projected to serve 20,000 students
- In the last two years, Northwest Vista College has been recognized as:
- - - No. 1 community college in Texas and No. 6 in the nation by Niche.com
- - - Among the top ranked colleges in Texas by BestColleges.com
- - - No. 9 community college in the nation for Hispanics by Hispanic Outlook
- - - 2018 Bellwether Top 10 award finalist
- - - 2018 "Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges" by NISOD and Diverse
- - - 2017 Aspen Award nominee for community college excellence
"I am humbled by this recognition," Baser said. "I accept this award on behalf of Northwest Vista College faculty and staff who make our college mission, vision and strategic plan a reality by supporting students, motivating and challenging them and helping them succeed."
Northwest Vista College (NVC), which is part of the Alamo Colleges District, opened in 1995 with 12 students. Current enrollment exceeds 16,000 students, pursuing associate degrees and certificates, as well as transferring to universities. Located in Westover Hills, NVC's expanding agreements with business and higher education partnerships provide a wealth of opportunities for students and the community.
SOURCE Northwest Vista College
Share this article