Del Valle HS assistant principal chosen as DoD STEM Ambassador
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A Del Valle High School Assistant Principal is the first El Pasoan to be named a Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Ambassador, according to the news release by Ysleta Independent School District.
According to Ysleta ISD, Ramon Benavides was named a DoD STEM Ambassador and is among only 30 ambassadors nationwide.
'As an administrator, this role gives me the unique opportunity to represent Del Valle HighSchool 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.
According to YISD, 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.
The selection was a 'rigorous, highly competitive selection process that emphasized a nominee's ability to inspire, lead and advocate for STEM opportunities,' according to the school district.
According to the school district, Benavides' duties as a DoD STEM Ambassador include:
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
Support national presentations to share best practices in STEM and DoD STEM resources, among others
'I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement from our campus and districtleadership, as they have been instrumental in this achievement,' Benavides said.
Prior to being an administrator, Benavides was a science teacher at Del Valle High School and was named 2022 Texas Teacher of the Year, according to Ysleta ISD.
In addition, YISD said Benavides also worked on programs and initiatives at the high school and district-wide to 'elevate science and STEM.'
According to the school district, Benavides is the son of migrant farmworkers who dropped out of school at a young age.
Benavides holds a bachelor's degree from both the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Texas at Brownsville, a master's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso 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,' YISD said in the news release.
For more information about the STEM Ambassador program, you can visit the Department of Defense STEM website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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