University creates new position for community connection
As of Nov. 1, Jennifer Ortiz Garza, who has been part of the Texas A&M University-Victoria family for 15 years, has moved into a new role as director of workforce development, community engagement and innovation.
This new position will focus on expanding and strengthening the university’s strategic engagement initiatives across the Golden Crescent. In her new role, Ortiz Garza will report to Maria Martinez, vice president for research, innovation & sponsored programs. The position will provide strategic leadership ensuring the successful development, implementation and evaluation of community engagement and industry initiatives that respond to regional labor-market needs, Martinez said.
“The director of workforce development, community engagement and innovation provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of external initiatives at Texas A&M University Victoria, ensuring programs align with institutional priorities and regional labor market needs,” Martinez said. “Jennifer's work is grounded in long-standing networks that bridge the university, local communities, regional organizations and businesses to advance those goals. I am pleased to welcome her to the team.”
Ortiz Garza initially joined A&M-Victoria as a senior lecturer in psychology. She then moved into the role of director of development in the University Advancement office. During the past year, she has begun building relationships and making connections with many of the major employers in the region across multiple industries. Now, in her new position, she will be able to pursue those connections and build partnerships focused on providing experience and engagement for A&M-Victoria students, such as internships, externships and future employment opportunities.
In addition to working with industry partners and employers, Ortiz Garza is working and building relationships with regional school districts, early college high schools, academic colleges, faculty, and employers to more closely align the university’s educational programs with students’ needs and create a more seamless transfer into enrolling at the university. She also will continue working with The Texas A&M University System’s rural education initiatives, such as the Texas Rural Education Collaborative, or TREC, program in partnership with the Yoakum Independent School District, the City of Yoakum, the Yoakum Economic Development Corporation and the Yoakum Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m excited to step into the role of director of workforce development, community engagement and innovation, where we can build meaningful partnerships, create new opportunities for our students, and respond to the evolving needs of our region. I believe the greatest impact happens when higher education, industry, and communities work together to turn ideas into action and build a stronger future for the people and communities we serve.”
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.