Pat Fontenot

Patrick Fontenot believes that everyone deserves a satisfying life and that education is the way to achieve that.

Though Pat has served in many roles at NVC, he feels his current position as dean of Workforce Education and Training has been the most satisfying because it impacts many lives and strengthens college partnerships. For instance, Pat and his team work closely with local employers, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to ensure that NVC’s technical programs prepare graduates for high demand jobs.

Under Pat’s direction, the nearly 20 degree programs have continually improved student graduation and job placement rates. Many local employers, such as USAA and the Southwest Research Institute, have benefited from NVC’s Business Solutions which provides businesses with customized training for their employees in leadership, teambuilding and strategic planning and many other areas.

In Pat’s 12 years with Northwest Vista College, he has worn many hats, including instructor, program coordinator and academic leader for all Business and Computer disciplines and director of Information Technology and Communications for the college. Pat holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Arts degree in Computer Resource Management from Webster University.

Prior to NVC, Pat served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. He said one of the proudest moments in his life came 20 years ago when his daughter, Emily, was born.

“I was holding her in my hands shortly after her birth and looked at her mother and said, ‘This little girl is going to be special.’”

Pat is also preparing for another special moment on May 2.

“Twenty years after retiring from the Air Force, I shall once again don my military uniform, stand in front of a newly commission second lieutenant (Emily) in the United States Air Force, execute a crisp, military salute, and congratulate her for choosing to serve her country….and then in an non-military-like way, I will give her the biggest fatherly hug I can and tell her I love her and am very proud of her…because she is my little girl.”

Having grown up speaking French in Southwest Louisiana, Pat understands the importance of language skills in the workforce. He celebrates the success of students in the English as a Second Language program, offered as part of Workforce’s Continuing Education program. Other community and leisure programs that are housed under the Workforce umbrella include kids and seniors programs, healthcare fields, information technology, cooking and robotics education.

Pat is known for his simple and direct style that cuts through the chase. His beliefs include his faith in God, having a strong work ethic and being accountable.

His advice to students is always the same: “Choose a career that will make you happy and that you will enjoy every day.”

Pat says when time allows, he likes to play golf.