OPENINGKEYNOTE DR .DANIELP. MARTINEZ
Dr.Martinez:Dr.DanielP.Martinezisproudtodevotehimselfasaservantleaderas ExecutiveDirectoroftheGreaterSanAntonio(GSA)ChapteroftheAmericanRed Cross.GSAserves13countiesandnearly3millionresidents.
Dr.MartinezstudiedphilosophyattheUniversityofSt.ThomasAquinasinRome,Italy, wherehediscernedareligiousvocation.Hereceivedhisbachelor’sdegreeinbusiness administrationattheUniversityoftheIncarnateWord,hisMastersinschoolleadership fromSt.Mary’sUniversity,completinghisstudiesasadistinguishedgraduate,andhis doctoraldegreeineducationalleadershipandadministrationfromSaintLouisUniversity.
Dr.Martinezholdsschoolandorganizationalleadershipcertificationsandhasover15 yearsofexperienceservingnon-profitorganizationsandbeingasmallbusinessowner.
Dr.Martinezhasservedasateacher,directorofmissioneffectivenessandcampus ministry,executivedirectorofadvancementandenrollment,schoolprincipal,and secondaryschoolpresident.Duringhiscareer,Dr.Martinezhascreatedstrategic partnershipswithhealthcarenetworksandcityleaders,ledtheinitiativetobecomethe firstschoolinSouthTexastoinstallastate-of-the-artactiveshootersecuritysystem,and hadanofficialProclamationbytheMayorofHoustondeclaringAugust21stas“DanielP. MartinezDay.”Dr.MartinezwastherecipientoftheArchbishop’sMedallionfrom ArchbishopGomez,whichisthehighesthonorthatcanbebestoweduponanindividual bytheArchbishopforservicetoothersandrecognitionasastrongservantleader Dr.Martinezhasledinitiativestoensurethegrowthanddevelopmentofeach organizationwherehehasservedandhasdevotedhimselftobeingwell-rounded. Outsideofwork,Dr.Martinezaffectedpositivechange,servingastheAdmissions CommitteeChairfortheArchdioceseofSanAntonioandhasassistedontheHopefor theFutureStrategicMarketingCommitteeandtheHopefortheFutureKhaki&Plaid Galaand5KCommittees.Dr.MartinezhasvolunteeredwithAdoptaNeedyFamily;he servedontheUniversityoftheIncarnateWordAlumniBoardofDirectors,theSt. AnthonyCatholicHighSchoolAlumniBoard,heservedasanofficerwithhis ToastmastersclubandhasbeenamemberoftheNationalAssociationofCatholicYouth MinistryLeaders.Dr.MartinezisamemberoftheBoardofDirectorsfortheEconomic DevelopmentCorporationfortheCityofBalconesHeights,aLeadershipSanAntonio, LSA47member,andanadjunctprofessorwithintheHEBSchoolofBusinessatthe UniversityoftheIncarnateWord.Whennotatwork,Dr.Martinezenjoystravelingto variousNationalParksaroundourbeautifulcountryandhiking.Dr.Martinezregularly attendsKingWilliamDistrictCrossFitandenjoyschallenginghimselfwithSpartanraces, mountainbiking,andcycling.Dr.Martinezenjoysmeetingnewpeopleandnetworking.In hissparetime,Dr.MartinezcofoundedasocialclubforyoungprofessionalsinSan Antoniotomeetandnetwork,hasownedtwosidebusinesses,servesasanon-profit consultant,andenjoysvolunteering.
Dr.Martinezhasmadeitapersonalmissiontogivebacktoothersandtodowhatever possibletoimpactthelivesofhiscommunitypositively.Whenaskedwhyheservesasa humanitarianleader,Dr.Martinezsaid,“Iamtheyoungestofthreechildrenandwas raisedbyasingleparent.Theloveanddedicationofthatparentandhercommitmentto providingthebestforustaughtmeabouttheimportanceofsacrifice,hardwork,and supportingothersinneed.Ibelieveinthemissionofhumanitarianorganizationsbecause Ihavepersonallybenefittedsomuchfromthem.Ipersonallyreceivedservicesfromthe AmericanRedCrossgrowingupand,therefore,haveafirsthandunderstandingofthe life-changingimpacttheorganizationhasonsomany.Iwillalwaysworkinserviceto othersaslongasIamabletodoso.”
Listen with Curiosity: The Secret to Leadership & Life Connections
Mastered the basics of listening but sometimes feel uncomfortable or self-conscious while in conversations or are not making the kind of real connections you want with people? Building a mindset of curiosity is the secret to leadership and life connections. This interactive session will focus on learning to stay curious in conversation and ask questions that form real relationships. Learn three tools to engage curiosity and level up your listening skills. You will also leave with a cheat sheet of the most effective conversation questions you can ask to build authentic connections and listen to what is truly important to people. We will practice listening with curiosity using these tools so you gain the confidence to listen and connect in any personal or professional situation.
Leading With Your Strengths: CliftonStrengths & Beyond
Rooted in the evidence-based field of Positive Psychology and closely related to Clifton Strengths, we will identify the unique character strengths, passions, and values you possess and how you can best use those strengths to connect with others and make the most significant impact among their families, workplaces, and communities.
Public Speaking & Presenting in the Workplace
How to use your public speaking skills in the work environment to become successful at your job.
Increasing Intercultural & Cross-Cultural Competency Through Student Fulbright Opportunities
Discuss the significance of developing intercultural communication and competency through research-supported evidence. College graduates are facing a capricious job market, competition with all diverse populations, or taking jobs that do not exist. mployers today look for communication skills as their top priority in employees rather than looking for specific training in a single field. Consequently, college students today need an education that provides them with skills— such as communication skills—that will allow them to compete in a global market with an increasingly educated population. The question is how to develop these skills outside of the classroom. Attendees will receive information about a funding-supported student program for teaching and studying abroad at A&M-SA. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or English Teaching Assistant Programs.
Kristin Baer has over 20 years of leadership and training experience in public schools, universities, non-profits, businesses, and the US Air Force. As the founder of her own leadership development consulting business, she is passionate about connecting people to authentic, meaningful experiences that propel them to grow into their best selves. With travel to all 50 states and 20 countries, she pursues diverse encounters and perspectives to create belonging for everyone she trains. Her background as a conflict management, executive, and TEDx coach has given her extensive practice with deep listening. She is passionate about working with young leaders to help them be the change they want to see.
After serving 15 years in the Marine Corps, Jesse settled in San Antonio. While unsure of what he wanted to do next, Lopez was confident that the skills he acquired in the Marines would serve him well. First, Lopez earned an associate’s degree in Business Administration at Northwest Vista College and then transferred to Texas A&M San Antonio in 2019, obtaining his BBA in Marketing in Spring of 2023. To help other veterans and their families, Lopez helped rekindle the A&M-SA chapter of SALUTE, a Veterans National Honor Society, which supports student veterans and active military students to improve their GPAs and advance their academic careers. He also helped kickstart the A&M-SA chapter of Student Veterans of America, a higher education advocacy organization for veterans. Jesse also worked as the Marketing Manager at the Mays Center for Experiential Learning & Community Engagement for his last academic year. He is currently serving as the Central Region Manager for the Travis Manion Foundation. This nonprofit develops programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community.
Sylvia Soto has been a teacher for several years and has taught diverse students, including elementary, high school, and middle school science and social studies. She's currently working with the Northside ISD in the newcomer program and has had to learn many listening and communication techniques to help her students. As an advocate for diversity and Student Success, Miss Soto utilizes many listening and speaking skills to advocate for her students and teach in different languages, including Spanish and Pashto.
Dr. Hsiao-Ping Wu is an Associate Professor at Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio. Dr. Wu joined the bilingual education and ESL program in 2011. She teaches various subjects, including second language education foundation, second language pedagogy, and linguistics for teacher candidates. Her teaching values student-teacher interaction, inclusiveness, self-directed learning, authenticity, and experiential learning. Her research focuses on second language error analysis, computer-mediated communication (CMC), digital literacy, English as a second (ESL) teacher identity, Bilingual/ESL teacher educator preparation, computer-assisted language learning (CALL), and studies of international students. She is enthusiastic about growing the master's in TESOL and ESL programs for international students at A&M-SA.
Kristin Baer
LJesse opez
Sylvia Soto
Dr. HsiaoPing Wu
Student Life @studentlifetamusa Student Leadership @tamusastudentleadership Student Engagement
The Cisneros Institute
@thecisnerosinstitute
@thecisnerosinstitute
Appreciative Inquiry: An Inclusive Approach to Listening & Communicating to Affect Positive Change
The positive relationships that emerge as a result of a comprehensive and executable Appreciative Inquiry approach transcend individual desires and focus on the sustainable nature of the collective desires of those involved The vision of a shared Destiny enhances the sustainability factor for a new program A destiny with positive buy-in resulting from a comprehensive and unbiased approach to development that listens, processes, dreams, and builds. The proposed application of the Appreciative Inquiry Theoretical Approach can be replicated in the future to maintain the programs fit with stakeholder’s interests, which may change over time, along with resource availability Internal and external environments may change over time, resulting in the need to periodically adjust a program/initiative to be adaptive to the current situation and its desire to be a sustainable program.
Leading Up, Down, & Across
Leadership is influence and does not extend downward on an organizational chart This session will address how we can positively influence those we supervise, our peers and colleagues, and those who manage or lead us Your leadership potential is maximized when you allow your influence to extend in all directions.
Discover the HEART of Leadership
Authenticity, mindfulness, and communication are essential leadership skills. Authenticity involves being self-aware, purposeful, and authentic, keeping leaders grounded. Mindfulness is being present and fully engaged, fostering understanding, a safe space, and a more supportive professional environment
Communication is the catalyst to make sure information flows to and from all personnel These three building blocks are fundamental leadership tools for your professional toolbox and could be roadblocks to success.
Understand How Student Employment Impacts Leadership Development
Often defined as the ability to lead or influence others to work toward achieving a common goal, leadership is present everywhere we go and directly affects our everyday lives. In a world where leadership is a prized skill, searched for in every role, how can employers and higher education foster that skill? The answer could lie in the development and education placed on student employees In this session, we will explore the advantages gained by student workers through developing leadership skills, communication and listening tactics, and situational awareness. This reflective and experience-based approach to discussing the skills acquired by student employees and their effectiveness will empower participants to evaluate their abilities and encourage growth in communication and listening
Meettheartistbehindthesecondsongonyourplaylist
Dr. Carter has a B.A. in Communication Theory and Cross-Cultural Communications from Ohio State University, an M.B.A. in International Business from National University, and a DBA from the University of South Florida. Dr. Carter was employed at Texas A&M University-San Antonio as an Assistant Professional Track Instructor in the College of Business, and he was formerly the Associate Vice President for External Affairs & Global Partnerships. Courses taught include: Global Management; Principles of Management; Business & Society; Labor Management and Collective Bargaining; Foundations of Entrepreneurship; Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurship-Business Plan; and Study Abroad. Dr. Carter is an Assistant Professor at St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX. His current coursework is focused on Entrepreneurship, Social Enterprise, Digital Media Management, International Management, and Social Responsibility of Business.
Dr. Jesse Pisors has over 25 years of educational administration experience, including leading advancement, marketing, and communications divisions as vice president at two universities. He joined Texas A&M University-San Antonio as Vice President for University Relations and Advancement in 2022, following a successful tenure at the University of Houston-Victoria in a similar role. While at the University of Houston-Victoria, he led the University of Houston System's successful $1 billion campaign and helped set multiple fundraising records. He served on the boards of the Victoria Rotary Club, the Victoria Rotary Foundation, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, and United Way of the Crossroads, as well as others. In addition to his duties at A&M-San Antonio, Jesse is an active member of the San Antonio Rotary Club and the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Workforce Committee of the North San Antonio Chamber. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in school administration from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. Jesse holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Texas Tech University, where his dissertation focused on the fundraising experiences and perceptions of first-time presidents of public universities
Emily Gonzalez is a Peer Leader with First-Year Experience. She has worked closely with the Common Experience and First-Year Seminar programs for over a year and a half. Emily grew up in the South Side of San Antonio, graduated from Harlandale High School, and is now a firstgeneration college student. She is currently a junior attending A&M-SA, pursuing a major in Finance. Emily hopes to become a Chief Financial Officer one day. She enjoys being a student employee on campus. It allows her to influence others to make a positive change and build a solid and welcoming campus community.
Rayne Pollard is a Peer Leader with First-Year Experience. They are a junior at Texas A&M-San Antonio majoring in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies and Creative Arts and Performance Studies. Rayne works closely with the Common Experience and the First Year Seminar programs within the First Year Experience office, where they’ve worked for over a year and a half. Passionate about advocacy and helping others, Rayne hopes to pursue a career in counseling services for LGBTQIA+ youth and women.
Dr. Douglas Carter
Dr. PJesse isors
Emil Gonza
PRayn ollar
Meet the artist behind the second song on your playlist
Rebecca Foley has over 17 years of law enforcement experience and years of experience in emergency medical services Rebecca has a wi range of expertise, from Patrol Officer, Tactical Paramedic, Crisis Negotiator to Mental Health Officer. Rebecca has had years of success dealing with consumers experiencing a mental health crisis and assisti consumers needing services Rebecca has been teaching tactical first aid/CPR, emotional intelligence, and active shooter classes to law enforcement officers since 2014 Rebecca has a bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. Rebecca is attending Texas A&M San Antonio, working towards a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling specializing in PTSD, Trauma, and Depression in first responders/veterans Rebecca is a member of the Texas Counselors Association, The American Psychological Association, the Texas CIT Association, the Texas Association of Hostage Negotiators, and a board member of the Counseling Student Organization at Texas A&M San Antonio
Leticia Sanchez-Reyes received a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Services from the University of Texas-Pan American She has worked in the mental health field as a Qualified Mental Health Professional with children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with mental health illnesses. Leticia has also worked as a Crisis Interventionist in the public school system, providing psychosocial skills, prevention, and intervention services to adolescents She is pursuing her graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. In addition, she also serves as the President of the Counseling Student Organization, demonstrating her commitment to making a difference in her community.
Miltayon “Tay” Campbell is a retired Navy Chief and full-time graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, where she serves as Vice President of the Counseling Student Organization During her tenure in the Navy, she led 22 Divisions, Departments, and Detachments, personally/professionally mentored over 696 personnel, amassed more than 17 years of experience leading over 2,433 (during maritime and wartime operations), and completed her BA in Psychology She is currently pursuing her goal and purpose of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor with a theoretical orientation grounded in Black psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, integrative methods, multicultural theory, and group counseling She aspires to actively improve mental health in the Black community and minimize the impact of generational trauma
Rebecca Foley
Leticia Reyes
Miltayon Campbell
CliftonStrengths: The Language of Leadership
This session will cover how we each have a unique communication style based on our top 5 CliftonStrengths. When participating in or preparing for some of the most crucial conversations, we must ensure careful and intentional thought is put into sending a clear message to our intended audience. Utilizing the language of CliftonStrengths, carefully crafting your message can save you time and money and help you create trust and stronger connections in your assigned leadership roles.
Listen with Curiosity: The Secret to Leadership & Life Connections
Mastered the basics of listening but sometimes feel uncomfortable or self-conscious while in conversations or need to make the kind of real connections you want with people? Building a mindset of curiosity is the secret to leadership and life connections This interactive session will focus on learning to stay curious in conversation and ask questions that form genuine relationships. Learn three tools to engage curiosity and level up your listening skills. You will also leave with a cheat sheet of the most effective conversation questions you can ask to build authentic connections and listen to what is truly important to people. We will practice listening with curiosity using these tools so you gain the confidence to listen and connect in any personal or professional situation
How to Listen for Opportunities So You Can Act on Them
Hundreds of doors lead to opportunity right before us, just waiting to be opened. But first, we must see them before we can walk up and open them. Many people don’t see opportunity because they don’t know EXACTLY WHERE THEY WANT TO GO. Once you know exactly where you want to go, those doors will appear magically, and you can walk through them confident that they will lead you to your goal
Alamo Fellows: Internship Experiences in Leadership for First-Generation STEM majors
This panel will focus on the internship experiences of Alamo Fellows students attending A&M-SA and enrolled in STEM majors.
As a talent retention initiative through greater SATX, Alamo Fellows provides professional development, social networking, and access to quality internships to first-generation STEM majors attending our local 4-year institutions in the region These students are a part of the inaugural cohort of Alamo Fellows and completed summer internships with Frost Bank, USAA, H-E-B, and SAISD. They will share how they leveraged social and professional networking opportunities that allowed them to interact directly with Talent Acquisition staff from local organizations, learn about internship opportunities, and gain valuable insight and tips into the application process and how to maximize internships within their career goals and trajectories
Meettheartistbehindyourthirdsongonyourplaylist
Juan Espinoza
Juan L. Espinoza Jr. has worked at A&M-San Antonio for over 7 years and is currently the Assistant Director of Transfer Student Engagement. He is directly responsible for Transfer Student Orientation and the Jaguar Transfer Assembly. Juan has also worked for the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Office at A&M-SA. Transfer Students have a unique journey, and Juan does what he can to celebrate that journey and the fact that it includes A&M-SA as a stepping stone to their dreams. Juan received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in English from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Juan is a member of the National staff for Tau Sigma National Honor Society, the managing coordinator for the Silver Liners Mentorship program, a member of the Alumni Board of Trustees for the Delta Chi San Antonio chapter, a third-year mentor in the A.I.M.M. program and serves as the co-advisor to Tau Sigma National Honor
Lionel Sosa is an independent marketing consultant and nationally recognized portrait artist. He is the founder of Sosa, Bromley, Aguilar & Associates, which became the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the nation. Sosa was named “One of the 25 most influential Hispanics in America” by Time Magazine. He was a media consultant for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush. Mr. Sosa has authored 3 books and is a co-author of 2 others. Mr. Sosa’sportraits in oil have been exhibited at The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at College Station and Texas A&M University-San Antonio, among others. Katherine Sosa has been an independent marketing, political, and design consultant and artist. She was the only woman on George W. Bush’s gubernatorial media team in 1998 and served on the presidential campaign 2000 and re-election bid in 2004. Her creative work has earned national awards for advertising excellence in both television and print. A renowned artist, Mrs. Sosa received national recognition for her traveling exhibitionHuipiles: A Celebration, which debuted at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., as part of the Smithsonian Latino Center’s 2007 summer season before traveling to the Museo Alameda in San Antonio in 2008. She has participated in more than a dozen solo shows nationwide with her series Trees of Life. She believes art, especially public art, can change hearts and minds. She has a gallery in Southtown San Antonio and is also represented by AnArte Gallery.
Kristin Baer has over 20 years of leadership and training experience in public schools, universities, non-profits, businesses, and the US Air Force. As the founder of her own leadership development consulting business, she is passionate about connecting people to authentic, meaningful experiences that propel them to grow into their best selves. With travel to all 50 states and 20 countries, she pursues diverse encounters and perspectives to create belonging for everyone she trains. Her background as a conflict management, executive, and TEDx coach has given her extensive practice with deep listening. She is passionate about working with young leaders to help them be the change they want to see.
Lionel & Katherine Sosa
Kristin Baer
Meet the artist behind the second song on your playlist
Dr. Paul Rodriguez serves as Talent Development Director at Greater: SATX and leads the Alamo Fellows talent retention program. He is a University of Notre Dame graduate with a doctorate in education from the UTSA Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
Dr. Paul Rodriguez &
Carlos Navarro Reyna is a senior majoring in Computer Science at Texas A&M University–San Antonio. He served on a student advisory board with UP Partnership and completed a summer internship at HEB as a software engineer intern.
Chloe Bruno is a senior cybersecurity major at Texas A&M University–San Antonio and works part-time with the San Antonio Independent School District in their IT department. Chloe is a Hispanic Scholarship Fund recipient involved with the Women in Cybersecurity chapter at Texas A&M University–San Antonio.
Korina Alcantara is a senior majoring in computer information systems at Texas A&M University–San Antonio. She recently completed a summer internship as an IT Audit Intern at USAA and is currently interning at Marathon Petroleum.
Kimberly Gonzalez is a senior majoring in computer science at Texas A&M University–San Antonio. She just completed a summer internship at Frost Bank. Kimberly is also involved in the Association for Computing Machinery.
Dr. Henry G. Cisneros is Chairman and Co-Chief Investment Officer of American Triple I, an infrastructure investment firm based in New York He is also a Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Equity Owner of Shank Williams Cisneros & Co., L.L.C., and Principal of Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC., a national municipal and corporate finance firm Dr Cisneros is the Founder and Chairman of CityView, a partner in building more than 100 communities in 13 states, building more than 7,000 homes with a total value of over $5 billion.
Dr. Cisneros’ community-building career began at the local level. After serving three terms as a City Councilmember in 1981, Dr. Cisneros became the first HispanicAmerican Mayor of a major U S city, San Antonio, Texas During his four terms as Mayor, he helped rebuild the city’s economic base and spurred the creation of jobs through massive infrastructure and downtown improvements.
Dr Cisneros holds a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University, where he has been designated a Distinguished Alumnus. He earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, was a graduate assistant in urban economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from George Washington University, and has been awarded more than 20 honorary doctorates from leading universities, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is the site of the Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders. He also served as an infantry officer in the United States Army
Chair
Dr. Reba Sims, Director of Student Housing
Assessment
Myrna Garza, Coordinator for First-Year Experience
Andrea Martinez, Student
Logistics
Monica Martinez, Program Coordinator for Student Leadership
Cheyenne Hayes, Assistant Director for Graduate Career Development
Jarrick Brown, Assistant Director for Student Life
Marketing
Darrien Salinas, Academic Advisor
Albert Villasana, SSE Communications Student Worker
Deane Gumila, Student Government Association President
Caylee Tijerina, SSE Communications Specialist
Dee Garcia, SSE Communications Specialist
Partnerships
Cheyenne Hayes, Assistant Director for Graduate Career Development
Cristian Moran, Student
Ghadeer Al Asadi, Student
Myrna Garza, Coordinator for First-Year Experience
Cisneros Student Leadership Conference
