Last updated on November 1, 2024
On Oct. 29, Dallas College held its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, recognizing 10 outstanding alumni who, through their service and accomplishments, personify the Dallas College tradition of excellence.
Emerging Leader Honorees
Erykah Charione Agers, a television production manager and philanthropist, completed her degree from Dallas College School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design in 2022. She is an extraordinary leader with unparalleled expertise in coordinating and managing fast-paced productions across television and municipal government programming sectors. Agers has demonstrated her commitment to community through her work as founder of Discover Camp Garland, which shapes the future of young people, creating ripples of positive change in countless families each year.
As a first-generation student, Susan Laura Altamirano, a practice support specialist for Texas Health, understands how vital education is and strongly believes in paving the way for younger generations. Her passion for helping others was instilled at a young age and still holds a special place in her professional and personal life. Altamirano obtained a degree in science from Dallas College and later pursued a degree in Health Studies from Texas Woman’s University in 2020. In 2022, she graduated from Louisiana State University at Shreveport with a master’s in health care administration.
Distinguished Employee Alumni Honorees
Kathryn Martinez, RDN, CEDS-C, is a faculty member at Dallas College Culinary and Hospitality Institute. She has 24 years of experience as a dietician and has worked with restaurants, nonprofits, food companies, hospitals and treatment centers, sharing her knowledge of nutrition education, emotional eating, menu development, food safety, medical nutrition therapy and food service surveys. A recognized expert in her field, she has been quoted in magazines and contributed to other publications as well as served in multiple national leadership positions in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals.
As head men’s soccer coach at Dallas College Richland Campus, Raul Herrera has guided the Thunderducks to prominence, including six straight National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III championships. He attended college at Richland and played on the same team that he now coaches and then played Division II soccer at Midwestern State University. There, Herrera earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and kinesiology and a master’s degree in sports administration. He played professional soccer for two years in Mexico. Herrera holds a National C coaching license. He has been a goalie coach at the renowned FC Dallas Academy for the past 12 years.
Distinguished Alumni Honorees
Aeisha Taylor, DHA, RT, is manager of diagnostic services at Parkland Health Moody Center for Breast Health. Dr. Taylor is an accomplished health care professional with extensive experience in radiologic sciences and health care administration. Her education began with an Associate of Applied Science in radiologic sciences from Dallas College Brookhaven Campus. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in radiologic sciences from Midwestern State University and a master’s and doctorate of Health Care Administration from Oklahoma State University. Her dedication to health care education, community outreach and patient care has significantly impacted the field of breast health, making her a distinguished professional in her field.
Charles Y. Hansen, DSW, is chief program officer at Peninsula Family Service and a San Mateo City Council Candidate for District 2. A passionate leader and committed community servant with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit executive leadership, Dr. Hansen’s journey began at Dallas College, where he first discovered his love for service and advocacy. At Peninsula Family Service, he leads 44 sites, services and innovative programs supporting families, seniors and communities across San Mateo County. Under his visionary leadership, the organization has grown and positively impacted thousands of lives through subsidized child care, older adult services, financial empowerment, mental health support and more.
Gerald Fernandez Napoles, Ph.D., is vice chancellor of student success at Lone Star College. Dr. Napoles leads and supports services across eight colleges, overseeing more than 90,000 credit students. His efforts are centered on increasing enrollment, improving student persistence and streamlining financial aid processes to better serve students and the community. Previously, Dr. Napoles served as CEO of Lone Star College-System Office University Park and interim president of Lone Star College-CyFair. He holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in general studies in aging from the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Sam Houston State University.
Jeff Bickerstaff was elected mayor for the City of Sachse in 2022. He is the founder and owner of Bickerstaff Insurance and Financial Services, an independent insurance agency. Bickerstaff has an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Dallas College (Richland), as well as a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Texas A&M University. Previously, he served on the Sachse Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board, as Council liaison to the EDC and as Council liaison to Garland Independent School District. His love for public service was further strengthened by his selection to Leadership North Texas Class 15.
JJ Ponce, J.D., is senior vice president, Texas director of trust and wealth management services, Security National Bank. Ponce previously served as a trust and investment officer at Bank of America, led the business engagement team at Communities Foundation of Texas, and served as senior vice president of community development at Texas Capital Bank. He attended Dallas College Mountain View, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Texas at Arlington and a Juris Doctorate from Texas A&M School of Law. A proud alum of Leadership Dallas, Ponce was honored with the Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 award. He is the founding board president of Journey Forward Mentoring and has served on several civic and community boards.
Kevin Carbo Sr. is vice president of the Mesquite Independent School District Board of Trustees. In 2022, he retired as an airfield manager for the city of Dallas. He previously worked in the banking and insurance industries. Carbo earned an associate degree from Dallas College Eastfield, a bachelor’s degree in finance from Dallas Baptist University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas. His education leadership in Mesquite began in the 1980s as a PTA leader. He was first elected Mesquite ISD School Board vice president in 1996. He is a graduate of Leadership Texas Association of School Boards and has served as president of North Texas Area Association of School Boards.
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