An AlamoPROMISE Student’s Commitment to Advocacy and Academic Excellence

San Antonio native Michael Reichle is passionate about advocating for the rights of others. His interest first sparked at the age of seven when he attended a local high school debate. He was drawn to the high-energy atmosphere of the debate room and admired the students' well-researched answers.

During his freshman year at Johnson High School, Michael joined the varsity debate team and was promoted to team captain during his junior and senior years. As a well-respected member of the team, he gained the attention of his peers at the state level and became a debate judge.

Michael realized he could use his debate skills to help right some of the world’s injustices by becoming a civil rights lawyer. He knew that law school and four-year institutions could be extremely costly, so he was excited to learn about the AlamoPROMISE program, a last-dollar scholarship that covers 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students. He decided to enroll at San Antonio College (SAC) to build up his transcript without going into debt.  

“I wanted to participate in AlamoPROMISE, as tuition is a major barrier in preventing students from pursuing higher education. As soon as I learned about the program, it took away my concerns about how I would pay for school as a full-time student,” said Michael.

He is now in his third semester at SAC where he studies Philosophy and maintains an impressive 4.0 GPA. Michael is also active in student life, serving as President of the SAC Honors Academy and is the Historian and Honors in Action Chair for Phi Theta Kappa Beta Nu chapter. He values the inclusive climate of the college and the sense of community among students.

“Being a SAC student has been an amazing experience that continues to provide me with the inspiration to achieve my goals. I am deeply grateful for the experiences and people I have been able to experience because of choosing Alamo Colleges District,” said Michael.

After graduation, he plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin and hopes to eventually attend a top 14 law school.

At the September 2024 Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees meeting, Michael was awarded the AlamoPROMISE Student of the Month. As he was recognized for his academic achievements and commitment to his goals, he expressed gratitude to the AlamoPROMISE program for helping make his dreams a reality.

“The AlamoPROMISE program has given me the opportunity to pursue higher education in confidence without the financial risk of tuition costs. It is evident that the Alamo Colleges District has in mind the best interests of its students…as there are so many exclusive opportunities. I am proud to be a SAC student and participate in the larger Alamo Colleges community,” said Michael.