What inspires you to remain so engaged with Rice?
As a Latino first-generation college student, Rice University was my dream school, with a dream to work on the space program. A dream fulfilled over a decade. That dream starts at Rice for so many, it’s a place of discovery of self, discovery of purpose, and a place for passion. If my experiences can help build that launch pad for other students, especially those from my similar background, you’ll find me on campus. The resulting impact beyond campus is unmeasurable since my graduation.
How have you evolved in your Rice journey since receiving the award?
Recognitions from your own family — the Rice Familia — humble you knowing that 1) this was a dream fulfilled 2) you DO belong and 3) it crystallizes the power of fellow young alumni toward a force for good. It propelled the Designing with Rice Engineers for Achievement through Mentorship (DREAM) STEM Program I co-founded while a student at Rice towards a sustainable future connecting Houston’s underserved high school students toward STEM careers — the engines of the knowledge economy. It furthered a journey to find my voice. A voice that today speaks toward the power of education as a launch pad to design, build, and test a new generation of spacecraft within the decade, and to empower diversity toward a better city, environment, and community.
Tony’s advice:
Cherish and deepen your friendships from Rice, they become your family. Life comes at you fast, and my Rice friends know I call it the #FastEngineeringLifestyle! Your fellow alumni all have the enduring wisdom and knowledge of knowing you when it all began — and that is a very important foundation. It anchors you and humbles you. Find a mentor 5, 10, or 15 years ahead of you. In a fast paced world of change, that’s important. You never know the day NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine ’98 will walk towards you at a NASA launch and say “Fellow Rice Owl, how are you?”
What’s next for you?
Mentorship and leadership. Rice launched my career, and finding ways to be that voice for Latinos at Rice, in aerospace, and in our community is in the next orbit. As I tell my Rice mentee, estoy listo para ayudar. Vamos!