February 21, 2025
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
ECESS Ballroom, 1407 E. Freddy Gonzalez Dr. Edinburg, Texas
WELCOME FROM THE DEAN
Dear Participant,
Welcome to the 2025 Engineers Week (E-Week) and to our 3rd Annual Broadening Participation in Engineering Summit, a key initiative of UTRGV’s Center for Broadening Participation in Engineering (CBPE) sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The CBPE’s goal is to increase the enrollment, retention, and advancement of students in engineering.
This year’s summit (hosted in conjunction with the 2025 E-Week) brings together key stakeholders from K-12, higher education, professional organizations, and industry/employers to share ideas and best practices for preparing the future engineering workforce.
With students being at the heart of our college, we are excited to have our engineering students participate in the summit and other E-Week activities including innovation challenge, career development/networking, engineering professional organizations as well the Engineering Student Leadership Academy.
This week, we also celebrate the success of our students (future engineers) with Outstanding Students’ awards, the success of our RGV engineers with an Outstanding Engineer award, and the success of our K-12 partners (pipeline effort) with an Outstanding Teacher award. Our work with K-12 is key to inspiring the next generation of engineers through early exposure to engineering, with Future Engineers Camp being an example of such efforts.
Thanks to our regional and national partners in this important effort, and thanks to the generous support of the NSF.
Hope you all enjoy the warm RGV and summit.
Sincerely,
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Dr. Eyra Pérez
Vice President, Institutional Capacity, Excelencia in Education
Dr. Dayna Martínez
Senior Director of Research & Impact Officer, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Dr. Daniel P. King
Executive Director/CEO, Region One ESC
FEATURED SPEAKER BIOS
Dr. Eyra Pérez provides leadership for Excelencia’s technical assistance, supporting institutional partners in intentionally serving Latino students. She manages resources, partnerships, and a network of facilitators to guide institutions in their transformational journeys. She also leads the Seal of Excelencia certification, ensuring institutions go beyond enrollment to actively support Latino and all students. With extensive experience in Latino student success, HSIs, program development, student leadership, financial aid, STEM, and parent involvement, her career spans higher education, K-12, and non-profits. Dr. Peréz holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from UTSA and a B.A. in Mathematics from Our Lady of the Lake University.
Dr. Dayna Martínez leads various research initiatives and data analysis efforts. With a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, she previously taught and mentored students at Northeastern University and worked at their Healthcare Systems Engineering Institute as a post-doctoral research fellow. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, followed by advanced degrees from the University of South Florida. With over 15 years of experience, she is passionate about developing innovative programs that enhance educational access and professional development. Dayna enjoys collaborating with stakeholders to create impactful solutions and welcomes connections with those committed to driving meaningful change in education and innovation.
Dr. Daniel P. King is the Executive Director and CEO of Region One Education Service Center (ESC), leading initiatives that enhance educational opportunities and student success across the region. With a distinguished career in education, Dr. King is dedicated to innovation, excellence, and expanding access to high-quality learning experiences. Under his leadership, Region One ESC provides critical support, resources, and professional development to school districts, helping educators and students achieve their full potential.
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
SUMMIT AGENDA
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST
REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN
OPENING & INTRODUCTION
Dr. Laura Benitez Associate Dean & CoPI, UTRGV
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Dr. Eyra Pérez, Vice President, Institutional Capacity, Excelencia in Education
Building Sustainable Pathways for All Our Students into Engineering
Dr. Dayna Martínez, Senior Director of Research & Impact Officer, SHPE
Inspiring the Next Generation: SHPE's Outreach Strategies
10:15 - 11:30 a.m.
INDUSTRY/EMPLOYERS PANEL
Preparing a Skilled & Capable Engineering Workforce for the 21st Century Moderator
Mr. Andres Palma, President, MEG Engineers Panelists
Amy Elliott, System Automation & Monitoring Research Engineer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Erika Baeza-Wisdom, Deputy Vice President, Pit Production Operations and Programs, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS)
Daniel Garcia, Director of Construction, Texas Department of Transportation
Jennifer J. Gross, Lithium Strategy & Portfolio, ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions Manager
Jeremy Kalmus, Resident Engineering Manager, Bechtel
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.
11:45 – 1:00 p.m.
BREAK
RECOGNITIONS LUNCHEON
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Dr. Ala Qubbaj, Dean & PI, UTRGV
ENGINEERING WEEK PROCLAMATION
Mrs. Ellie Torres, Commissioner Precinct 4, Hidalgo County
K-12 REMARKS
Dr. Daniel King, Exec Director & CEO, Region One
OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD
Mr. Jose Torres, Robotics Teacher, Edinburg HS
STUDENTS RECOGNITION
(K-12 Engineering Design Challenge)
Dr. Edna Orozco, Lecturer III, UTRGV
OUTSTANDING ENGINEER AWARD
Marie C. Leal, P.E., VP, TSPE RGV Chapter
CECS OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS
INNOVATION CHALLENGE AWARDS
Dr. Noe Vargas, Associate Professor, UTRGV
CECS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY RECOGNITION
Dr. Thuy Vu, Associate Professor, UTRGV
OUTSTANDING TEACHER
Jose A Torres, ALM
CTE Instructor - Applied Engineering, Electronics & Robotics, Edinburg High School
OUTSTANDING ENGINEER
Marie C. Leal, P.E., Vice President, Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Region III, RGV
Chapter | Brownsville Public Utilities Director of Water/Wastewater Engineering & Capital Planning
CECS OUTSTANDING STUDENTS
Bachelor’s Degree
Brandon Ramirez, Informatics & Engineering Systems
Daniela Rivas Tapia, Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering
Diego A. Sauceda, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Jesus Barreda, Computer Science
Jesus Dela Rosa, Informatics & Engineering Systems
Jose Ortuno, Civil Engineering
Ryan Vela, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Samantha Ocana, Mechanical Engineering
Zarek Moreno, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Master’s Degree
Alina Basharat, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Jeffery R. Pams, Mechanical Engineering
Kevin Garcia, Computer Science
Ramon Garcia, Informatics & Engineering Systems
Shayan Khosravi, Civil Engineering
Victor Lopez, Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering
PHD Degree
Jose Nunez, Computer Science with Interdisciplinary Applications
Yazmin Cortes, Materials Science and Engineering
2025 CECS STUDENT LEADERSHIP
ACADEMY
Aaron Longoria
Alan Ruiz
Alejandra Bernardo Pinon
Alejandro Mata
Ana Alfaro
Angel Miron Castillo
Axel Rocha
Bernardo Araujo
Brayan Armijo
Carlos Garza
Christian Morales
Daniela De Leon
Dia Ayoubi
Diego Flores Chanez
Diego Setien
Diego Zuniga
Dimas Crespo
Edgar Bello
Emiliano Rincon
Enrique Olguin
Fernando Torres
Hanna Perez
Idania Crespo
Jesus Cantu
Jesus Ramos
Johan Villanueva
Jose Mendieta
Juan Solano
Justin Contreras
Kranthz Esparza Jr
Lauren Flores
Marcos Gonzalez Jr
Marijose Nino-Castillo
Mario Flores
Nereli Garcia
Nicholas Mendoza
Nisha Sthapit
Regina Nava
Roy Rodriguez
Suyesh Bhatta
Syed Muhammad Oan Naqvi
Victor Chairez
Victorialorain Martinez
Ximena Martinez
INNOVAQUERO CHALLENGE WINNERS
BEST OVERALL Beeyond Engineers
Frida Morales
Celeste Garcia
Leila Lieu
Morelia Moreno
Leslie Hurtado
MOST INNOVATIVE RIJ
Iram Lopez
Jacob Cantu
Rogelio Garcia
BEST PRESENTATION
Puro Engineering
Christian Cobos
Francisco Esqueda
Diego Gutierrez
Diego M. Flores Chanez
FUTURE ENGINEERS CAMP (K-12)
(
Brownsville)
FEBRUARY16-22,2025
WHEREAS,Engineersusetheirscientificskillsandspecializedknowledgeincreativeand innovativewaystofulfillsociety’sneeds;and
WHEREAS,Engineersfacethemajortechnologicalchallengesofourtime–from rebuildingtownsdevastatedbynaturaldisaster,cleaninguptheenvironment,andassuring safe,clean,andefficientsourcesofenergy,todesigninginformationsystemsthatwill speedourcountryintothefuture;and
WHEREAS,Engineeringhasbeencalledtheinvisibleorstealthprofessionbecause everythingaroundusandthingsweuseeverydayhavebeenengineeredinsomeway,yet wedonotseetheengineersbehindthescenesatworkdemonstratingtheiruniqueskills;
WHEREAS,EngineersWeekpromotesrecognitionamongparents,teachersandstudents ontheimportanceofatechnicaleducationwithanemphasisonacceleratedlevelsof math,scienceandtechnologyliteracyandmotivatesyouthtopursueengineeringcareers inordertoprovideadiverseandvigorousengineeringworkforce;and
WHEREAS,the2025ThemeofNationalEngineersWeekis“DesignYourFuture,”which encouragesbothacalltoactionandacelebrationofthelimitlesspossibilitiesin engineering.Itinvitesustodreamboldly,innovaterelentlessly,andcreateafutureshaped byourcollectiveingenuity;and
WHEREAS,thisCommissionersCourtencouragesthecommunitytopartakeinThe UniversityofTexasRioGrandeValleyCollegeofEngineeringandComputerSciencefun filledactivitiessettotakeplaceduringEngineersWeek;and
NOWTHEREFORE,BEITPROCLAIMEDthattheHidalgoCountyCommissionersCourt doesherebyrecognizeFebruary16ththroughFebruary22,2025,asNationalEngineers Week
Approvedthis18nddayofFebruary,2025.
