Prepárate 2024
Impacting Latino Education: Dr. Adelina S. Silva Receives 2024 Modelo de la Comunidad Award
The Modelo de la Comunidad Award is presented to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to improving Latino communities. While not necessarily limited to the field of education, the awardees’ work should help build and foster an educated society.
The presentation of the Modelo award at the Prepárate™: Educating Latinos for the Future of America conference is a chance to thank and support these leaders for their tireless efforts to improve lives within our community.
At the 2024 conference, the Modelo de la Comunidad Award was presented to Dr. Adelina S. Silva, vice chancellor for student success at Alamo Colleges District.
Introducing the award, Miguel Wasielewski, vice provost of admissions at The University of Texas at Austin, said, “This year’s Modelo recipient continues the legacy of excellence and sets the bar high for future recipients.”
“Dr. Silva has paved the way for students to realize their full potential and succeed against all odds. As the first Hispanic female vice chancellor for the Alamo Colleges District, fourth-generation Tejana, and a first-generation college student from a small, rural town in Texas, she has overcome many barriers along her educational and professional journey,” adds Marvin Martinez, chancellor of Rancho Santiago Community College District.
Martinez continues, “Dr. Silva’s remarkable journey—filled with perseverance and mentorship, coupled with her deep-rooted commitment to helping students from diverse backgrounds, and a passion to pay it forward—exemplifies her commitment to building a brighter future for students.”
Upon receiving the award, Silva remarks:
I reflected on my journey to get to this point in my life. I truly believe no one does it all by themselves. All of you here today at the Prepárate conference, you can positively impact so many lives throughout your careers as so many things are possible for those you assist. Encourage those who you serve to dream the big dream for themselves and help them along that pathway.
Dr. Adelina S. Silva, Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Alamo Colleges District
More About Dr. Adelina S. Silva
Dr. Silva has held several positions in her career of 40+ years developing student success programs, including pioneering the establishment of community education centers and returning adult and women’s centers.
Dr. Silva is the first Hispanic female vice chancellor in the Alamo Colleges District. She is a summa cum laude bachelor’s degree graduate of Texas A&I University at Corpus Christi, holds an MA in guidance and counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and earned a PhD in educational administration in community college leadership from The University of Texas at Austin. She is a fellow of the National Community College Hispanic Council and the Institute for Educational Leadership and completed the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University. As a Fulbright Scholar, she participated in the Community College Administrators Seminar in Russia and serves as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Alumni Ambassador.
A seasoned presenter on leadership, student development, advising, and equity, Dr. Silva is nationally and internationally recognized. She taught at Webster University’s extended campuses for 24 years in business, HR management, and leadership graduate programs. She received the Kemper Award for Excellence in Teaching for Adjunct Faculty at Webster campuses worldwide.
Dr. Silva is also recognized for her many contributions to Texas. She was inducted into the Harlandale ISD Hall of Fame and received recognition from La Prensa Foundation’s San Antonio Latina Women in Action, Outstanding Young Women of America, San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, and the Latina Style Business Series.