Spotlight Series: Joseph M. Fonseca

If you've spent time on the Palo Alto Campus, you have likely encountered Professor Joseph M. Fonseca Jr., affectionately known as "T" by his students and colleagues. Fonseca is a charismatic presence on campus, and many students can attest to his approachable personality and hands-on teaching style, which have left a lasting impact on countless individuals. However, Fonseca's journey to becoming a full-time professor and a staple personality at PAC was anything but straightforward.

Fonseca’s career didn’t begin in academia. In fact, after his military service in the Vietnam War, his early professional life took him far from the classroom and into the world of finance. He worked as a stockbroker in New York City, specializing in the oil and gas industry, before returning to San Antonio to work at Citibank.

There, an old friend, Dr. Charles Cotrell, who at the time taught political science at St. Mary’s University, contacted him and encouraged him to try teaching a government class.

“I told him, ‘Dr. Cotrell, I don’t want to teach.’ I had family members in the profession, and I wasn’t interested.”  But after some persistence from his friend, Fonseca agreed to teach just one class. That one class quickly grew into three, and soon enough, Fonseca discovered a passion for teaching that he hadn’t expected. “By November, I thought, ‘Man, this isn’t so bad. I think I can do this,’” he recalls.

In 2007, Fonseca brought his passion for teaching to Palo Alto College as an adjunct professor, and two years ago, he became a full-time faculty member. Here, he teaches Texas and Federal Government classes, emphasizing practical knowledge that students can use in their everyday lives.

Fonseca’s students aren’t just reading from textbooks—they’re participating in mock trials, a hands-on exercise that puts them in the shoes of legal professionals. “I want my students to understand not just the theory of government and law but how it plays out in the real world,” he explains.“By doing a mock trial, they get to be part of the process and see the consequences of their decisions.”

Students are divided into teams, each assigned a role and asked to research an existing case. They then present their arguments and reach a ruling, comparing their decisions to the actual court outcome. The experience not only builds their knowledge of law and government but also enhances their confidence in speaking and presenting—skills that are critical for anyone pursuing a career in law.

Thanks to the newly renovated Rio Grande building and its fully operational courthouse, Fonseca is now able to take his students beyond the classroom and into an actual courtroom, where they can experience the law in action. This immersive experience gives them a firsthand look at the legal system and builds confidence that will serve them in their future careers.

Beyond the academic teachings, Fonseca, an outspoken voting activist, encourages his students to participate actively in democracy through voting. Fonseca has advocated for human and voting rights since the age of ten, even crossing paths with activist icons such as Caesar Chavez. Now, Fonseca shares his knowledge and enthusiasm with students through his classes and participates in panel discussions on government and voting rights topics. 

"When I was 10 and living in Chicago, my uncle Joe invited me to the Kennedy and Nixon convention, and that was my first exposure to the world of politics," explained Fonseca. "My family nurtured this interest in me, so I want to do the same for my students and give them the tools to make informed decisions for themselves."

Many of Fonseca's students have felt this impact, with seven students from the Fall 2025 semester recently being accepted into St. Mary's Law School on significant scholarships. For Fonseca, these successes are what make his work so fulfilling. "I love seeing my students succeed," he says. "I stay in touch with many of them even after they graduate, and I'm always there to cheer them on."

It’s this unwavering dedication to his students that has shaped his role as more than just a teacher. Whether he’s cheering on his students at graduation or mentoring them through their educational and professional journeys, Professor Fonseca is more than just a teacher—he’s a lifelong advocate for his students' success. He has left his mark on his students and on the Palo Alto College campus.