By Amanda Alaniz

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – DEC. 20, 2024 – Jose Garza, a UTRGV marketing lecturer, is earning national recognition for his innovative program that empowers students to tackle real-world challenges, transforming them into skilled consultants for local businesses.

A faculty member in UTRGV’s Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Garza had the honor of visiting the White House in October to discuss his work in experiential learning as part of a national initiative focused on enhancing cybersecurity education for Latino students. The meeting, titled "Unidos Se Puede: Expanding Pathways into Cyber,” explored strategies for increasing Latino participation in cybersecurity.

Having joined UTRGV two years ago, Garza previously established a high school program recognized as an innovative model for work-based learning. He was determined to continue this initiative at the university level, transforming students into consultants who gain hands-on experience critical for their future careers.

Currently, Garza oversees approximately 150 students partnered with 34 companies across Texas, California, and even international firms in Mexico. The students develop marketing strategies and work directly with business leaders.

“In each of my courses, I break up all my courses into teams. My students partner with local small mid-sized companies, not only here in the Rio Grande Valley, but across Texas. We also have companies in California and from Pittsburgh. We have several we’ve supported that are from Mexico who are trying to break into this market,” he said. “It essentially turns students into consultants and provides business services.”

During the White House meeting, Garza emphasized the importance of preparing students for the workforce through real-world experiences.

“They are working directly with these businesses to identify the problems and real-world challenges these businesses face,” he said. “They are developing real strategies and plans as to how they can become more successful. It’s empowering these businesses to be more successful while giving students that experience.”

While cybersecurity is outside of his expertise, Garza’s invitation stemmed from the critical skills he teaches in marketing, such as data analytics and problem-solving. He said cybersecurity experts expressed interest in how his program engages students with local businesses and fosters essential 21^st-century skills like communication, collaboration and creativity.

Garza tracks student progress through pre-and post-assessments, demonstrating improvements in skills identified by the Department of Labor as critical for entering the workforce.

The model, he said, can be applied across all career pathways, not just in cybersecurity.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Reflecting on his White House experience, Garza described it as surreal and a major milestone in his career, showing how UTRGV’s work-based experiential learning can be replicated nationwide.

“We need to create a win-win ecosystem where our students are getting real hands-on experiences while empowering local small businesses,” he emphasized.

As UTRGV continues to gain national recognition for its innovative educational practices, Garza remains committed to expanding these opportunities.

“We have work to do,” he said. “Let’s go all gas, no brakes. We need to continue doing this great work and prepare our students to make an impact on a national and global scale. So, when they graduate from UTRGV they are ready.”