At its first convention in 1974, Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS) passed a resolution to open a community college on San Antonio's West Side or South Side. COPS leaders worked tirelessly with elected officials and other community members to establish Palo Alto College on San Antonio's South Side. Palo Alto celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2015.
The San Antonio Express-News describes the grassroots efforts that led to Palo Alto College's founding in an area of San Antonio that didn't have ready access to higher education.