H.R. No. 377
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Cristina Villalobos, a professor and associate
dean of the College of Sciences at The University of Texas Rio
Grande Valley, is the recipient of a 2020 Presidential Award for
Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring; and
WHEREAS, The award is one of the highest national honors
given to educators who have dedicated themselves to the academic
and professional development of our future STEM leaders,
particularly those who have been historically underrepresented in
STEM fields; to be selected for the award is a coveted and highly
prestigious achievement, and this year, Dr. Villalobos was one of
only 12 individuals nationwide to earn the accolade; and
WHEREAS, A native of Donna and a first-generation college
graduate, Dr. Cristina Villalobos received her bachelor's degree
in mathematics from The University of Texas at Austin and her Ph.D.
in computational and applied mathematics from Rice University; she
has more than 18 years of experience in higher education, and she
currently holds the Myles and Sylvia Aaronson Endowed Professorship
at UTRGV, where she is founding director of the Center of Excellence
in STEM Education; and
WHEREAS, Working alongside program coordinator Idalia Mejia,
Dr. Villalobos leads the Center of Excellence in STEM Education in
supporting and providing resources to students who are pursuing
careers in STEM fields; one of the center's goals is to increase the
number of STEM graduates, especially those from minority groups,
and it has hosted planetarium visits and other hands-on activities
that have helped promote interest and engagement in STEM among
thousands of local K-12 students; Dr. Villalobos has been
recognized for her commitment to increasing minority
representation in STEM, and she has served on several committees
and advisory boards dedicated to this mission, including the board
of directors of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics
and Native Americans in Science; and
WHEREAS, Through her outstanding work at UTRGV, Dr. Cristina
Villalobos is helping to prepare young Texans to be part of a
diverse workforce that will be at the forefront of technology,
research, and innovation, and she may indeed reflect with pride on
this well-deserved recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Cristina Villalobos on her
receipt of a 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science,
Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring and extend to her sincere
best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Villalobos as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Canales
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 377 was adopted by the House on March
25, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House