(2011-2014)
By 2011, Northwest Vista College students, faculty, and staff had settled into the new buildings and often enjoyed sitting by Lago Vista, watching the wildlife. This period was marked by significant growth and recognition as the college expanded its facilities with a new parking garage and solidified its reputation as a leader in academic excellence through the Texas Award for Performance Excellence, as well as workforce development through a key partnership with Rackspace. As the student body grew, so did its spirit, with the official introduction of the Wildcat Willie mascot. This era culminated in a successful transition of leadership, setting the stage for continued progress.
San Antonio-based technology services provider Rackspace hired 15 students from NVC’s Cisco Networking program in 2011, establishing a partnership that would last many years. Students enrolled in workforce programs such as Information Technology, Networking, Digital Media, and Digital Video & Cinema Production where they gained hands-on experience through practicums and internships with San Antonio businesses.
The following year, NVC was recognized by the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program for best practice in leadership and student focus. At the time, 3,000 students participated in the NVC Dual Credit Program, paving the way for current Dual Credit enrollment of over 7,200 students. In 2012, the campus increased its parking capacity with an additional 747 parking spaces in a new 250,489-square-foot Prickly Pear Parking Garage.
On October 9, 2012, the NVC mascot officially became known as Wildcat Willie. The idea for the name came after a wildcat costume was rented for a campus event. At the event, the name Wildcat Willie was suggested for the mascot, and it was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, solidifying the choice. The original mascot costume was soon replaced with a new design, and Wildcat Willie became a campus celebrity.
A few months later, in June 2013, NVC’s Game Development & Computer program had 15 students who were among the five finalist teams recognized as the best student talent for creating their game “Time Glitch” at the Electronic Entertainment Expo College Game Competition.
From the 2007-2008 to the 2012-2013 academic years, Northwest Vista College saw a remarkable 131% increase in the number of degrees and certificates awarded. This growth occurred alongside a significant rise in enrollment, which climbed from just over 10,60 On a related note, in 2007, NVC enrollment was just over 10,600 in 2007 to about 16,000 by the 2013-2014 academic year.
In August 2014, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch retired after 16 years of dedicated service as NVC’s president, leaving behind numerous college milestones. She was honored with the title of Administrative Emeritus for her contributions.
Dr. Ric Neal Baser then took over as president, bringing with him over 34 years of experience in higher education. Before joining NVC, he served as the Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Tulsa Community College.
That same year, NVC earned its fifth consecutive Military Friendly Schools Designation. Enrollment continued to grow, reaching 17,606 in the fall, which included students enrolled in Flex courses.
Ultimately, the period from 2011 to 2014 was a transformative chapter for Northwest Vista College, solidifying its identity and paving the way for future success.
Watch for next month’s Retrospective: 2015 – 2018!
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