In October 2024, I had the incredible honor of attending a pivotal meeting at the White House with my former student, Dioselina De La Cruz. This was no ordinary reunion. Dioselina, who once sat in my high school marketing class, is now a data analyst for Procter & Gamble and a true testament to the potential our students have when they’re given real, hands-on experiences in their education. Together, we joined a discussion led by Deputy National Cyber Director Harry Wingo on expanding pathways for Latinos and Latinas in the cybersecurity workforce.
The Secret Service security, the iconic building, walking the halls where our nation is governed—it was surreal to realize that the efforts that had led me to that point started with a “crazy idea” over ten years ago to turn my high school program into a student-led marketing agency to give my students hands-on experience.
Once inside the meeting room, the atmosphere was charged with purpose. Leaders from nonprofits, educational institutions, and private companies gathered around a grand table, all invited to share their experiences and perspectives on building a stronger, more inclusive workforce pipeline in cybersecurity careers. It was humbling to see the White House Office of the National Cyber Director committed to creating an accessible cyber workforce that mirrors the diversity of our nation.
As the introductions circled the room, it was soon Dioselina’s turn. She shared her story—a journey that began as a migrant farm worker, moved through a Texas high school, and culminated in a distinguished role at Procter & Gamble. Her voice resonated with strength and inspiration as she explained how she had initially been interested in medicine but found her true calling in business. Transferring to PSJA Southwest Early College High School, she immersed herself in my marketing program, which connected students with local businesses by training them to serve as marketing consultants, providing comprehensive marketing solutions in exchange for work-based experiential learning opportunities. While in high school, she worked with the leaders of non-profit organizations and multimillion-dollar companies, developing marketing strategies and interning with architectural firms—all before she even set foot on a college campus. These experiences propelled her to the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where her experience, knowledge, and skills truly set her apart.
When it was my turn, I shared my vision: “What if every high school and college student in the country could partner with local businesses to put their skills into practice and make a tangible impact?” The room leaned in, captivated by the potential impact on students and small businesses alike.
Dioselina’s journey was a testament to this vision, and she exemplified the success that can come from immersive, hands-on education. I explained why I developed the student-led agency methodology, realizing that students needed something beyond traditional learning—something that connected their skills to real-world application. I described how this approach to work-based learning continues to make a transformative impact in South Texas at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Over the last year, I have engaged over 500 marketing students with more than 100 companies to develop marketing strategies and solutions in exchange for hands-on experiences.
The energy in the room was palpable. As I spoke, the other attendees responded with enthusiasm, eager to learn about our innovative methods. The excitement and validation I felt at that moment reminded me of why I left the corporate world over ten years ago and embarked on this journey as an educator: to give back to my community and prepare our students to succeed.
My White House visit underscored a powerful truth: work-based learning is the key to unlocking our students' potential and creating a future-ready workforce. South Texas can be at the forefront of this educational revolution, pioneering a model where every student gains hands-on experience that empowers them to excel in careers like cybersecurity. This meeting was a reminder that when students succeed, communities and industries thrive, and we are ready to lead the way in making this vision a reality.
The Rio Grande Valley has always thrived on community collaboration, and there’s never been a better time to expand our commitment to empowering students and local businesses for success. Supported by institutions like the UTRGV Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, along with partnerships through RGV LEAD, where I serve as an executive board member, we’re creating new pathways for our students to gain hands-on, work-based learning experiences.
I encourage local businesses, educational leaders, and community stakeholders to join us in shaping the future of South Texas by supporting these initiatives, offering mentorship, or even hiring our graduates. Together, we can create a lasting impact on our community and set a new standard in secondary/post-secondary education that the rest of the nation can follow.
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Eloy Garza, founder and CEO of Career Bridge, which seeks to bridge the gap between classrooms and careers through work-based, experiential, opportunities. Garza is also a marketing lecturer at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The above column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author. Garza can be reached via email at egarza@career-bridge.com.
