SPEAKERS

As Director of Dual Enrollment at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Michael oversees all dual credit and Early College High School initiatives. With a decade of experience in higher education student affairs programs, Michael finds great joy in creating partnerships that support postsecondary access and student success.

Angie has served as a high school counselor for 20 years and is closing her tenth year at Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. Early College High School in Dallas ISD. Angie loves sports, taking long walks and growing succulents.

Jose, Executive Director of High School Programs and Services at Texas Southmost College, has 17 years of experience in education, with 15 of those years in higher education roles and two years as a high school college counselor. Jose received his Master's Degree in Academic Advising from Kansas State University and his undergraduate degree in Sociology from University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.

As Director of Postsecondary Preparation Programs at the TEA, Stacy provides leadership in areas crucial to students being prepared for postsecondary success. Stacy oversees the CCRSM Initiative, Advanced Academics, CCMR Outcomes Bonus allowable expenditures, HB 3 College Prep Examination and Industry-Based Certification Reimbursements, STEM, and High School Equivalency.

Christine is the Assistant Director for Postsecondary Preparation Programs at the TEA and provides leadership for the CCRSM Initiative. Her work encompasses strategic planning for the CCRSM Initiative and the creation of professional development to build the Network’s capacity for implementing strong models that improve student outcomes.

Alexis is the Deputy Director of the College, Career, and Military Preparation Division at the TEA. She supports the Counseling, Advising, and Student Supports team, which provides research-based resources and technical assistance to districts to support their efforts to plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive counseling program. In addition, Alexis collaborates with TEA’s partner agencies to achieve the goals of the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative.

Ken is Executive Director of Sweetwater Economic Development and has served in this role since 2007. He and his wife Carla moved to Sweetwater, Texas from Nappanee, Indiana in 1982 where he started a construction company. He later managed the Sweetwater Chamber for 10 years. Ken currently serves on the Texas Economic Development Council Board of Directors.

Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Innovation for Tyler ISD

Robert, Principal of Elgin Early College High School since 2019, moved to Texas in 2007 to pursue a career in education. He worked as a teacher and coach at Del Valle High School and Cedar Creek High School before finding his home in Elgin ISD.

Elizabeth is the Vice President of Education & Workforce at the Dallas Regional Chamber, working with regional businesses, education, workforce institutions and the Texas Legislature to improve the talent pipeline.

Chris is the Managing Director of Programs for Educate Texas, supporting a team working to improve educational outcomes for low-income, minority and first-generation students. Chris has served in a number of educational leadership positions, including district administrator and principal. Chris holds a Bachelor in Biology from Benedictine College and a Master in Education, Planning and Social Policy from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Marty Crawford has served as Superintendent of Schools for the Tyler Independent School District since August 2014. Marty has 13 years of experience as a Texas school superintendent and holds a bachelor's degree from Baylor University, a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma, and doctorate from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Troy has served as Professor of Welding Technology at Austin Community College since 2006 and Department Chair since 2016. Prior to teaching full time, Troy worked as a welder, blacksmith and fabricator for small manufacturing firms in Austin.

Maria currently serves as Dual Credit Pathways Coordinator at South Texas College. She is a committed student advocate, working to help the dual credit students earn their associate degrees prior to graduating from high school. Maria provides leadership and support to the college's designated partners.

Melissa, ECHS/Dual Enrollment Lead Teacher for Brownsville ISD, has worked as a teacher since 2009. In her current role, Melissa assists all seven ECHS campuses across Brownsville ISD.

DelSenna, Principal of Tyler ISD Early College High School, earned her Bachelor in Business Administration from Sam Houston State University and Master in Mid-Management from the University of Houston/Clear Lake. She will be retiring in June 2021 after 37 years of service.

Andrew has served as an educator for more than 10 years and has been with Tyler ISD Early College High School for four years. Andrew holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a Master's in Education Leadership from Texas A & M - Commerce.

Merrill is the Director for College, Career, and Military Readiness for Brownsville ISD. In this role, he oversees the district's seven Early College High Schools and two P-Tech High Schools.

Susan serves on the Educate Texas CCR School Models team as Deputy Director of Programs. She is focused on school models such as ECHS, P-TECH and T-STEM. Susan supports the growth and expansion of these models through technical assistance and professional development of CCR School Model leaders.

Incoming Principal for Tyler ISD Early College High School

Kay is the Statewide Coordinator for Advanced Academics at the TEA. She provides strategic leadership and guidance to districts for all Advanced Academics programming. She is primarily responsible for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Dual Credit, College Preparation courses, TSIA and the use of CCMR Outcomes Bonus funds

Tracy is the Statewide Coordinator for College and Career Readiness at the TEA. She supports the Advanced Academics team in providing strategic leadership and guidance to districts on assessments. She is responsible for developing and managing the HB 3 College Preparation Assessments and Industry-Based Certification Reimbursements policy.

Dr. Juarez is the longest serving Principal at Judson Early College Academy, a seven Distinction Designation high school. She began her career more than 20 years ago as an elementary teacher before moving to the secondary level following her graduation from law school. Her focus is always academic excellence, character development and community.

As the ECHS liaison for Texas Southmost College, Sarai serves as the primary liaison between the instructional planning components of the college and the local independent school districts, supporting early college high school initiatives and other P-16 partnerships. In her current role, Sarai would like to increase the number of high school students graduating with a certificate/associate degree of their choice. Sarai holds an Associate of Arts, a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and a Masters in Higher Education.

Stephanie Lerner is the Counselor Support Program Manager at the TEA. She serves as the primary point of contact for Texas school counselors. She provides resources and trainings to school counselors across the state, focusing on supporting the strong implementation of a comprehensive counseling program.

Dr. Kenyatta Lovett is the Managing Director for Higher Education within CFT’s Educate Texas initiative, leading a team that supports a critical component of the education continuum that improves economic mobility for all Texans. Kenyatta earned his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Howard University, his M.B.A. in supply chain management and his doctorate in public policy and administration from Tennessee State University.

Laura joined Tyler Junior College in 2020 as Coordinator of Early College High School Enrollment. She taught for 13 years prior to this role, including five years of teaching in Tyler ISD. Laura received a Bachelor of Science in Education from East Texas Baptist University.

Romanita joined SAEDF in 2016. As the Executive Director of SA Works, she leads the San Antonio region's strategic workforce development efforts to align education, workforce and economic development with the talent needs of San Antonio's current and future employers.

Monica Martinez has worked to promote quality education for students throughout the state of Texas at the TEA for the past 16 years. As Associate Commissioner for Standards and Support Services, Monica oversees the work of four divisions: Early Childhood Education; Curriculum Standards and Student Support; and State Board of Education, Support and College, Career, and Military Preparation.

Bob has served as Director of Early College Programs (dual credit) for five years, with a total of 12 years of post-secondary education experience. He received his B.S degree in Biology from Texas A&M University Kingsville and M.A in Communication from Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Kyle learned welding when he was 12 years old. He welded throughout high school, moved to Austin and enrolled in Austin Community College for welding technology. While at ACC, Kyle was hired at Athena Manufacturing, where he worked his way up from weekend shift detailer to day shift supervisor.

Jeanie has worked at Tyler Junior College since the summer of 2000. Starting as Professor of Voice, she moved to Department Chair of Music in 2014 and to Director of School Partnerships in 2019. She holds a Master of Music from Indiana University, is married and has four children.

Director of CCMR for Elgin Independent School District

Lindsey Phillips is the Effective Advising Program Manager at the TEA.  She leads several projects and initiatives to support strong postsecondary advising practices through the context of comprehensive school counseling programs in Texas. 

Central Administrator of Data Management and P-TECH for Crowley Independent School District

Reo is the Senior Director of Programs at Educate Texas. She leads efforts around college and career readiness. Reo is committed to the success of all students across Texas and has dedicated countless hours to developing technical assistance for CCR School Model campuses. She has seen firsthand that the work of the CCR School Models network is the difference-maker for many students.

Jacqueline currently serves as the Administrator for the W. W. Samuell Early College High School in Dallas ISD. During her time in this role, she has not only revitalized the Teacher Education pathway, but has consistently surpassed the district's graduation goal of 73% for Early College students earning their associates degrees.

Shannon is a Career & Education Outreach Specialist with Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Shannon works with P-TECH students to provide career readiness prep, ranging from interview training to resume writing.

Michelle is the Statewide STEM Coordinator at the TEA. She oversees Pre-K-12th grade STEM programming in Texas.  She is the Project Director for the K-8 Mobile STEM Laboratory and Lone Star STEM Academies. She is also the STEM Lead for the Texas EcosySTEM and supports the CCRSM T-STEM Academies.

Dr. William Serrata was named President of the El Paso County Community College District effective August 1, 2012. During his career, Dr. Serrata has provided leadership in fostering enrollment growth as well as increases in student retention, dual credit enrollment and graduation rates with an emphasis on first-generation and Hispanic populations. Dr. Serrata holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University – College Station, a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University – College Station.

Casey has served as the Early College High School Liaison at Odessa College for three years. As of this May, she serves the students at Odessa College as the Director of Testing. Casey was born and raised in Odessa, Texas, and graduated from Texas A&M University in 2008. Casey loves the Odessa College culture and the part she plays in creating a college-going atmosphere in Odessa.

Michael is in his seventh year as principal of Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. Early College High School in Dallas ISD. Prior to his principalship, he served as Associate Principal for four years at W. H. Adamson High School, also in Dallas ISD. Michael received his master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas.

Clarissa works in the Rio Grande Valley as deputy director and regional lead of Educate Texas, ensuring the successful implementation of the College and Career Readiness Models blueprints and framework. She strives to increase the impact of Educate Texas across the Rio Grande Valley.

Sara Vercher is the Student Mental Health Program Manager at the TEA. She provides statewide leadership in strategically coordinating student mental health services through school counseling programs and school partnership programs, particularly Communities In Schools.

Dr. Gregory D. Williams has served as president of Odessa College for 14 years. Dr. Williams completed his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Baylor University, after completion of three degrees from the University of Texas Permian Basin: psychology, history and special education, followed by two master's degrees in education and psychology.

Becky has been an educator in Sheldon ISD for 31 years, during which she has served as a teacher, coach, principal and currently the Executive Director of Innovative Programs. Becky's main responsibility is implementing and growing a PreK-12, district-wide STEM program that includes a 6-12 T-STEM Academy. She believes it's never too early to start STEM.