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Meet the Staff

Our program services would not be possible without the help of our wonderful team. Our staff connects with students, families and school districts statewide. Our main goal is to help students succeed academically, professionally and personally. We are here to offer support for whatever they may need.

We are looking for a Recruitment Specialist! Apply HERE .

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Sarah Marin
Program Director

Pronouns: she/they | Languages: English, Spanish
Email | 713-743-4408 | FH Rm. 318H

Marin received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston. She previously worked with non profit organizations, including those advocating for migrant populations. She also has experience working in student development and is passionate about sharing resources both on campus and within the Houston community. Her favorite UH tradition is the “womp, womp.”

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Alberto J. Rodriguez
Principal Investigator

Pronouns: he/him | Languages: English, Spanish
Email | 713-743-8987  | FH Rm. 318R

Rodriguez holds a distinguished professorship of education at the University of Houston and serves as professor of cross-cultural science education in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. He is also a Fulbright scholar and holds the Mary Endres Chair in Teacher Education Emeritus at Purdue University. Rodriguez investigates how to make science/STEM a tool for realizing social justice through transformative action. To this end, he works closely with pre and in-service teachers, community partners and others interested in making science/STEM pedagogy and curriculum more culturally and socially relevant to all students. He has been involved as principal or co-principal investigator in multiple research projects sponsored by federal, state and foundation agencies.

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Donovan Pogue
Program Manager

Donovan A. Pogue received his B.S. in English with a minor in Spanish in 2013, and his M.A. in English and African American literature from North Carolina A&T State University in 2015. While attending North Carolina A&T State University, Pogue was a writing center consultant for two years, where he guided students and faculty writers, bolstering research and writing methods by encouraging and cultivating development in dedicated one-on-one sessions, as well as facilitated distance learning classes.

Pogue continued his education at Indiana University-Bloomington, where he received his PhD in Africana diaspora studies with a minor in linguistics where his studies focus on linguistic prejudice surrounding people of color specifically in the courtroom and everyday life. While attending Indiana University, Pogue was an instructor where he trained students in articulating effectively within public settings, with emphasis on oral communication and adapting to different audiences. He educated classes on assessing and responding effectively to public discourse, nurturing student’s public voice, and reducing anxiety. Pogue enjoys watching college football, and he’s a big Alabama football fan.

Adrian Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzalez
Student Mentor 

Pronouns: he/him | Languages: English, Spanish

Gonzalez is majoring in mechanical engineering technology at UH and plans to graduate in 2023. He is originally from Houston. He is passionate about helping others and would like to work in the automotive industry. His favorite UH tradition is rubbing the paws of the cougar statues in Cullen Family Plaza for good luck.

Alejandro Aguilar

Alejandro Aguilar
Student Mentor

Pronouns: he/him | Languages: English, Spanish

Aguilar is a senior majoring in English literature with a minor in Mexican American studies. He is passionate about service to others and wants to help make the world a better place for all. Some of Alejandro’s interests are Mexican and Latin American history and literature, music and Brazilian ju jitsu. His favorite  UH tradition is wearing red on Fridays.