Del Valle High School Assistant Principal Dr. Ramon Benavides is the first El Pasoan ever to be named a Department of Defense (DoD) STEM Ambassador, providing him and Ysleta ISD a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) education both locally and nationally.
Benavides, a 2022 Texas Teacher of the Year, is among only 30 DoD STEM Ambassadors recently named across the U.S. and its territories following a rigorous, highly competitive selection process that emphasized a nominee’s ability to inspire, lead, and advocate for STEM opportunities.
Benavides’ previous work as a Del Valle High School science teacher, as well as the programs and initiatives implemented there and at Ysleta ISD to elevate science and STEM, were key factors in his selection.
“As an administrator, this role gives me the unique opportunity to represent Del Valle High School and Ysleta ISD on a national level. Most importantly, it enables me to continue bringing new and transformative opportunities to our students, helping them access pathways to success in STEM fields and beyond,” Benavides said.
“I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement from our campus and district leadership, as they have been instrumental in this achievement,” he added.
The DoD STEM Ambassador Program is a collaborative partnership between academia, industry, nonprofit groups, and government that aims to broaden STEM literacy and develop a diverse and agile workforce.
As a DoD STEM Ambassador, Benavides will help develop and execute a project to address STEM challenges and provide meaningful STEM experiences to military-connected and/or underrepresented students; author guest blog posts; and support national presentations to share best practices in STEM and DoD STEM resources, among others.
The son of migrant farmworkers who dropped out of school at a young age, Benavides pursued a career in education after watching his parents return to school and eventually become teachers in the Rio Grande Valley. He holds bachelor’s degrees from both UT San Antonio and UT Brownsville, a master’s degree from UTEP, and a doctorate from Texas Tech University.
Benavides has been published in various publications and participated in several state/national professional organizations, as well as research internships with Rice University and UTEP. He serves as a national STEM advocate for The Society for Science and the Public, advocating for changes in the classroom that ensure underrepresented students attain a fair chance at success in STEM professions.
For more information about the STEM Ambassador program, visit the Department of Defense STEM website at https://dodstem.us/meet/ambassadors/
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