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By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
Approximately 50 education leaders and representatives from organizations across the Rio Grande Valley gathered Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for the RGV AI + Education Leadership Collaborative at Point Isabel ISD’s new building at 101 Port Road in Port Isabel.
Educate Texas organized the event to bring regional leaders together to discuss artificial intelligence and its role in education.
Dr. Kerri Briggs, executive director of Educate Texas, an initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), estimated that participants represented close to 30 organizations, including approximately 10 school districts. Higher education institutions, Region One Education Service Center and nonprofit organizations, including Teach For America Rio Grande Valley, were also represented.
Briggs said Educate Texas is a statewide initiative based in Dallas and has maintained relationships with Valley school districts, colleges and education leaders for approximately 13 years through work including RGV Focus.
“We just have deep connections here,” Briggs said, adding that five Educate Texas team members live in the region.
Jason Green, Educate Texas’ senior director for AI Strategy and System Alignment, delivered the opening keynote. A panel discussion followed featuring Point Isabel ISD Superintendent Teri Capistran, Harlingen CISD Superintendent Dr. Veronica Kortan, Jerald Hughes of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Ana D. González of Teach For America Rio Grande Valley.
Panelists discussed what they have learned about artificial intelligence and how education leaders are considering it for students, teachers and families.
“We know that AI is here. Our students are utilizing it,” Capistran said. “It’s important that our educators take the lead.”
Capistran said educators must guide students through what is happening in classrooms today while preparing them for the future. She said schools must prepare students for jobs that do not yet exist and for opportunities connected to companies already operating in or coming to the region.
“We have a moral obligation to ensure that we are preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow,” Capistran said.
Capistran cited SpaceX’s presence in the region. Briggs also referenced Saronic and autonomous ships, along with defense, space exploration and energy, during the discussion of industries involving artificial intelligence.
Briggs said organizers brought together a selected group of participants to identify opportunities in the Valley, determine what regional partners need and consider what they could build together.
The collaborative also examined how K-12 school districts, community colleges, universities and industry could work together to prepare students for regional opportunities.
When asked whether future efforts could include industry-based certifications for high school students, Capistran said those conversations were taking place during the gathering. She said Hughes and UTRGV were at the table sharing information about available programs and opportunities.
“This has to be beyond us, and this has to be regional,” Capistran said.
Capistran said industry partners should inform education leaders about what is happening and what companies are preparing to build in the region. She said students could be prepared through industry-based certifications or partnerships with higher education.
“Our kids deserve every opportunity to ensure that they have a seat at the table of opportunities with all of these organizations,” Capistran said.
Briggs described the gathering as the beginning of continued regional work.
“Today was a first step of learning where different districts are in their journey with AI,” Briggs said. “We will have more convenings, we will have more training. We’ll kind of build things together.”
“Grateful for Point Isabel and Superintendent Capistran for hosting us today,” Briggs said. “We’ve been connected to the Valley in a deep way for 13 years, and so this is just a really, I think, important next iteration of our work together.”
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