Veronica Davila

Center Director

Hello! I am Veronica Davila. I have a Computer Systems Engineering degree from the Tecnologico de Monterrey, I also have a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the same university. I had the opportunity to study Control Systems in France at the Université Technologique de Compiegne. I worked for General Electric Aviation in control systems, software systems, and maintenance systems, working as an engineer, team manager, and technical leader. When I became a mom I transitioned to the education field, as a Mathematics, Physics, Entrepreneurship, and Software Projects Management teacher. Later, I became a middle school principal, where I devoted time to growing and strengthening the academic curriculum, as well as structuring procedures and processes. I strongly believe in the value and importance of STEM education for kids and teens. I love seeing the excitement on children's faces when they learn something new and succeed. In order to serve the community through education, we would like to collaborate with the local schools and organizations.

Omar Arteaga

STEM Instructor

Hello. My name is Omar Arteaga and I graduated from the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley with a B.S. in Physics. Growing up, I was blessed with many wonderful science teachers, who've inspired me to pursue a career in the STEM fields. Science has always been a passion of mine and I can only hope to emulate what my teachers have done for me. I aim to foster curiosity and convey problem solving skills to the next generations. I look forward not only to the opportunity STEMTREE has provided me as an instructor but also to the new perspective I will surely gain from it.

Rodolfo Estrada

STEM Instructor

Hello, my name is Rodolfo Estrada and I graduated from Universidad Nuevo Santander obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Education Sciences with a major in social studies. I'm also a Substitute Teacher for IDEA Public Schools. Education and Math are two things that bring a spark to what I do, something that encourages me to aim for different goals every time and it's something that I want to share with my students, the joy and passion for learning something new. During my free time I like to try new cooking recipes and I like to write poetry sometimes. In the future I would like to open a school where everyone could feel at home.

Melissa Mancha

STEM Instructor/Tutor

Hi y'all! My name is Melissa Mancha, and there's nothing I love more than helping out students achieve their greatest potential. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English from UTRGV, along with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from TSC. I am a certified Level 3 CRLA Master Tutor with over four years of tutoring experience at Texas Southmost College, where I work one-on-one with students of all ages and learning needs. I have led classroom workshops, coordinated academic outreach, and trained new tutors in effective instructional strategies. I am fluent in Spanish and dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment. When I’m not tutoring, I love investing in my own growth. I value both mental and physical health and by doing so I enjoy staying active at the gym and practicing TaeKwonDo or Boxing to keep my mind clear to stay energized.

Monica Vazquez

Hello! My name is Monica Vazquez Rivera, a UTRGV graduate with a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and a minor in Spanish Translation and Interpreting. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and l've been involved in education and working with students since high school. At STEMTREE, I aim to inspire students to explore all areas of STEM, especially engineering, while encouraging them to face challenges with confidence, persevere through problem-solving, and grow both academically and personally. I believe STEM can be fun and creative, and I'm excited to help students discover and appreciate that side of learning while strengthening their critical-thinking skills.

Javier Vivero

Hello. My name is Javier Alejandro Vivero, I’m an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley studying to get my Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and minoring in Computer Science & Business Administration with a certification in Cybersecurity Fundamentals from my high school. It is truly a blessing to work with STEMTREE and with the children, helping them explore and open a pathway to STEM. Working with STEMTREE has allowed me to combine my passion for technology with mentorship and community involvement. I love creating an environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, experiment, and discover how exciting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be. Seeing their curiosity grow and their confidence build reminds me why STEM education is so important.