NEWS: Congressman Greg Casar Delivers $1M for San Antonio College’s Empowerment Center Expansion
SAN ANTONIO – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) joined San Antonio College (SAC) leaders, students, faculty, and staff to celebrate his office securing $1 million for the Empowerment Center in this year’s Congressional budget.
The $1 million in federal funds earmarked by the Congressman will be used by San Antonio College to build the new Empowerment Center to provide more low-income, at-risk, adult learners access to higher education. The Empowerment Center makes sure that veterans, immigrants, and working-class San Antonians can enroll and succeed at SAC. The investment will allow for all programs and services to be offered within the facility, creating a “one-stop shop” for non-traditional students to reach their educational goals.
“No matter who you are or where you come from, you should be able to get a great education in San Antonio,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas). “The $1 million investment in San Antonio College’s Empowerment Center will help get everyone — from our veterans, to our Dreamers, to our foster youth — what they need to learn.”
“People considering a return to education are an often-overlooked segment of our population,” said Dr. Francisco Solis, interim president of San Antonio College. “This new funding will help us strengthen our ability to meet the unique challenges these returning students face and enable us to provide the tailored support they need.”
“I am consistently impressed by the thoughtfulness of San Antonio College – from the creation of the Victory Center for Veterans back in 2015, to this expansion of the Empowerment Center we are celebrating today,” said State Senator José Menéndez (District 26). “This investment in the Empowerment Center is another example of our community’s commitment to one another. I look forward to the continued growth and empowerment of our community through investments in the Alamo Colleges.”
"Investing in education is investing in our future," said San Antonio Councilwoman Dr. Sukh Kaur (District 1). "It’s crucial that our local, state and federal governments collaborate with our educators to continue to provide equitable educational opportunities for all our residents. Excited to see the Empowerment Center in action."
This federal funding was made possible through the Community Project Funding process for the Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills. San Antonio College applied for the grant through Casar’s office last year. It was approved in the first round of the appropriations government funding packages that passed the U.S. House on March 6 and signed by President Joe Biden on March 9, 2024.
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