Dr. Ramon Benavides, Assistant Principal at the Ysleta School District, was recently appointed as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Ambassador by the Department of Defense (DOD). We sat down to hear more about how his roots influenced his work and leadership, what he hopes to accomplish with this new assignment, and how the Hunt-Aspen Fellowship supported his transformative journey.

Originally from Brownsville, TX, Dr. Benavides quickly felt at home in El Paso thanks to the similarities between the two cities, notably their bicultural and binational identities. Dr. Benavides began his career as an educator 14 years ago in El Paso, consistently seeking ways to expand opportunities for his students as a means of fostering positive change in the community.

In 2023, Dr. Benavides attended the Justice & Society Seminar in Aspen, Colorado, as a Hunt-Aspen Fellow. The Seminar explores the meaning of justice, fundamental rights, public policy, and how our society can learn to balance them. Since his participation, Dr. Benavides has remained actively engaged with the Hunt-Aspen Latinos alumni network by supporting the growth of the Fellowship community and nominating future fellows.  Read on for our conversation with Dr. Benavides

What is one book that had an impact on you?

There are so many, but I have to go with The Smartest Guys in the Room. It’s about the Enron scandal, it showed me a different perspective of how events unfold and a deeper understanding of corporations. Something that stood out to me in the book was how the company leaders were all looking to grow financially, but lost touch with making sure others around them were growing as well. 

What is something that you wish you’d known earlier in your career?

I learned not to sweat the small things. Now, I ask myself if what I am putting my energy into will matter in a year’s time. That mindset would have helped me early in my teaching career, when I was learning to prioritize what mattered with limited time or resources. We sometimes are our worst critics, holding ourselves back. 

What does your recent appointment as STEM Ambassador mean to you? 

As the first El Pasoan to be appointed DOD STEM Ambassador, I see the role as a platform to advocate for our youth at the national level, while highlighting the innovative work Borderplex educators are doing to advance STEM education. Our region has unique initiatives that could inform other communities across the country. 

Beyond showcasing our efforts, the appointment means increasing opportunities for our Borderplex youth, something deeply personal. Often, these are opportunities that I didn’t have growing up. What strikes me deeply is the lack of access for students from underrepresented or low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Science has long been my passion. I hold multiple degrees in the field, I love teaching it, and I have actively worked to expand STEM offerings for our local students by pursuing different grants and innovative opportunities for youth engagement. I have served in several roles and secured STEM grants Society for Science, which eventually encouraged me to apply for the DOD STEM Ambassador position. 

I use my own trajectory as an example of what is possible and help students pursue STEM careers. When I first entered college, I spent two years as a Business major before meeting Dr. Lopez, a Latino professor in Brownsville whose mind-blowing lectures inspired me to switch to Biology. This type of representation showed me new possibilities for someone who looked like me. I want students from my community to feel genuinely cared for in the classroom and to carry the empathy that characterizes our Borderplex culture wherever their paths may lead.

What was the most valuable lesson from your experience as a Hunt-Aspen Fellow? 

When I applied, I struggled with imposter syndrome – thinking I was “just a teacher.” Educators aren’t always recognized as leaders, but we absolutely are, and I was determined to demonstrate that truth. 

After that transformative week of significant professional growth during the Seminar, I also returned with newfound personal courage. This confidence inspired me to take a leap of faith to apply – and obtain – an Assistant Principal position on my campus, where I had already taught for 12 years.

Applying the frameworks I learned during the Seminar into my work resulted in Del Valle High School expanding its STEM offerings to include BioTech classes. The Hunt-Aspen Fellowship created a domino effect, and I’m grateful for this unique opportunity provided by both the Hunt Family Foundation and the Aspen Institute.

The value of this experience extends far beyond the week spent at the Seminar: Hunt-Aspen Fellows become better advocates and engage in more meaningful conversations with those around us. We’re a community of changemakers committed to seeing our region thrive through our students’ success.