02
March
2022
|
13:59 PM
America/Chicago

STC Vice President Dr. Rodney Rodriguez named to Texas Science and Engineering Fair 2022 Advisory Board

South Texas College Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Economic Development, Dr. Rodney Rodriguez, has been selected to the Advisory Board of the premier state science and engineering fair in the country.

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced its 2022 Advisory Board Members Wednesday morning. Rodriguez is one of only two local representatives chosen to serve on the board.

The Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF) hosted by Texas A&M Engineering, in partnership with TWC and ExxonMobil plays an important role in the lives and future careers of students as they learn the critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in any field, while fostering an interest in and passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

As a community-supported event, the Fair relies on professionals in the science and engineering fields who generously volunteer their time to this event and who are vital to its ongoing success.

“I am honored to have been chosen to serve as advisor for this worthy initiative.  Through the Texas Science and Engineering FAIR, we can bring new STEM-learning opportunities to the junior and high school students of our community and give them the tools to be more college-ready,” said Vice President Rodriguez. “Students not only have a forum for showcasing research projects, but will get to learn critical thinking, teamwork and presentation skills that will set them up for career success later in life.”  

Advisory Board members serve as liaisons between TXSEF and stakeholders throughout Texas. Board members seek awards and scholarships for students, recruit judging staff, communicate with the 14 regional directors and their regional fairs, and offer higher education engagement with STEM colleges.

This year’s Texas Science and Engineering Fair is scheduled to be a hybrid competition in which finalists will compete virtually for the first round March 4-9, and in-person at Texas A&M University for the second, with Blue Ribbon rounds to be held March 25-26, 2022.

“I am honored to have been chosen to serve as advisor for this worthy initiative.  Through the Texas Science and Engineering FAIR, we can bring new STEM-learning opportunities to the junior and high school students of our community and give them the tools to be more college-ready. Students not only have a forum for showcasing research projects, but will get to learn critical thinking, teamwork and presentation skills that will set them up for career success later in life.”

Dr. Rodney Rodriguez, South Texas College Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Economic Development

The 2022 Texas Science and Engineering Fair Advisory Board members include:

·       Joe Arnold, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Executive External Relations Officer, Texas State Technical College

·       Chris Fischler, Regional Sales Director, Dell

·       Ross Guieb, Executive Director, Bush Combat Development Complex

·       Jon E. Gustafson, HR Economic Development Lead, Lockheed Martin

·       Ruth R. Hughs, Partner, Kelly, Hart & Hallman, TXSEF Board Chair

·       Geronimo Rodriguez, Chief Advocacy Officer at Ascension Texas, Ascension Seton, Dell Children’s and Ascension Providence

·       Daniel Silva, Chief Executive Officer-City of Mission, Mission Economic Development Corporation

·       Wayne Squires, Chief Executive Officer, Next Evolution Industries

·       Alma Walzer-Santos, Government Affairs Manager, SpaceX

·       Michael Ward, Chief Executive Officer and President, Austin Technology Movement

·       Cortlan Wickliff, PhD, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, Rice University

For more information on the Texas Science and Engineering Fair, visit https://txsef.tamu.edu/.