You’ve heard from our Research Collaboratives during our biannual updates, but their efforts have also created unexpected connections across communities. Here’s how their work sparks collaboration beyond research:
When Dr. Israel Aguilar, one of our Research Collaborative leads, came across a Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) grant to expand school programs focused on STEM and astronomy, he didn’t think much beyond sharing it with a few local contacts. But as often happens through the LONESTARP3 network, one conversation led to another — and soon, unexpected connections began to form.
At a recent local economic development meeting, Dr. Aguilar met Jeff Rosas, from the Los Fresnos Community Development Council (CDC). Their discussion began with workforce needs but quickly turned to shared interests in STEM education and community partnerships. Israel mentioned the LONESTARP3 network, and Mr. Rosas expressed interest in joining.
As they talked, Dr. Aguilar realized the Texas Workforce Commission grant could be exactly what Mr. Rosas and his partners needed. That realization set off a chain reaction. He connected Mr. Rosas with the South Texas Astronomy Society (STAS) — a group passionate about astronomy education but unfamiliar with the workforce development landscape. Dr. Aguilar also linked him with Jovanna Rangel, Director of Space and Energy at the Greater Brownsville Incentive Corporation, whom he’d met through previous RP3 activities. Ms. Rangel is already providing funding to STAS.
Through these connections, Dr. Aguilar identified a gap: local economic development councils and workforce boards often share the same goals but rarely communicate or coordinate their efforts.
“It’s an Achilles heel for our region,” he reflected. “They have related missions but operate in silos.”
What began as a simple discovery of a grant opportunity evolved into something larger — an “aha moment” that revealed new ways to bridge communities, foster collaboration, and strengthen South Texas’s STEM and workforce ecosystem. In Dr. Aguilar’s words,
“I saw a gap and connected the dots to fill it. This opportunity can help Los Fresnos CDC and STAS grow as well as expand our RP3 network.”
Stories like this show how RP3 participation can spark valuable, indirect connections and collaboration beyond our research focus. If you have experienced a positive spillover effect from being part of RP3, please share your story with us!
