Congratulations to the 2026 Education and Culture Program Participants in TechnoCreatives: Educators and Creators for a Tech Skills Future for Youth!
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), in partnership with Partners of the Americas, supports professional exchanges through the Education and Culture Program to advance U.S. public diplomacy priorities and strengthen relationships across the Western Hemisphere.
Through this initiative, nine professionals from Jalisco, Mexico, will participate in a seven-day exchange program in Florida and Washington, D.C., United States. The program fosters collaboration between U.S. and Mexican educators, innovators, and institutions to expand access to high-quality STEAM and technology education for youth.
By engaging with U.S. educational institutions, cultural organizations, and workforce development leaders, participants will explore American approaches to innovation, sustainability, and science communication. These exchanges promote mutual learning while highlighting U.S. leadership in educational innovation and cross-sector collaboration.
During the program, participants will collaborate with U.S. partners to co-create open-source bilingual (English/Spanish) STEAM learning modules that integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. These resources will support youth workforce readiness while reinforcing long-term institutional partnerships between U.S. and Mexican stakeholders.
Meet the Participants
| Angélica Navi Reyes Ruiz |
Angélica Navi Reyes Ruiz is an environmental coordinator at CEMEX in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, where she leads youth education and community engagement initiatives in partnership with local schools and organizations. She has experience managing hands-on learning programs for secondary and high school students.
Through this exchange, she seeks to learn from U.S. community engagement and education models and apply best practices that strengthen youth participation and environmental leadership initiatives in her region.
| Cuauhtémoc Méndez Rosas |
Cuauhtémoc Méndez Rosas is an award-winning science educator with more than twelve years of experience teaching physics, mathematics, biology, and astronomy. At Tecnológico de Monterrey, he developed the institution’s astronomy course and contributes to international science education networks.
Through engagement with U.S. science educators and outreach leaders, he aims to strengthen teacher training, science communication practices, and cross-border collaboration in STEM education.
| Guillermo Méndez Rosas |
Guillermo Méndez Rosas is a circus artist, educator, and science communicator with nearly two decades of experience integrating performing arts and science outreach. He directs educational initiatives and operates a mobile planetarium that brings immersive science learning experiences to underserved communities.
Through this exchange, he seeks to learn from U.S. museums and cultural institutions that integrate science and the arts and apply these approaches to strengthen educational programming.
| Hugo Michel |
Hugo Michel serves as Regional Coordinator of the Innovation Managers Network (REDi) at the Jalisco Ministry of Innovation. He connects educators, students, entrepreneurs, and public institutions across eight regions of the state. He previously co-founded Estación Meiquer, a creative education initiative that reached more than 2,000 children.
Through collaboration with U.S. partners, he aims to expand bilingual STEAM learning modules and mentorship networks that broaden access to technology-focused career pathways for youth in urban and rural communities.
| Mariana Hernández Segura |
Mariana Hernández Segura is an environmental engineering professional and program coordinator at CEMEX. She designs and manages youth education and community development projects in partnership with schools, municipalities, and community organizations.
Through this exchange, she aims to strengthen collaboration with U.S. institutions and incorporate innovative environmental education strategies that enhance youth leadership and community resilience.
| Paola Hernández Michel Rizo |
Paola Hernández Michel Rizo is an education program leader with advanced training in educational policy and organizational leadership. She serves as an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project Manager, designing youth learning initiatives that integrate STEAM education and digital tools. Since 2020, she has coordinated large-scale programs in collaboration with rural schools, teachers, and community partners, reaching more than 10,000 participants through partnerships with over 30 organizations.
Through the TechnoCreatives exchange, she aims to strengthen collaboration with U.S. educators and institutions to expand scalable digital learning models and workforce-oriented education opportunities for youth in Jalisco.
| Oscar Octavio López Chávez |
Oscar Octavio López Chávez is a social innovation and institutional development professional with more than ten years of experience coordinating multi-stakeholder networks and delivering education and community development initiatives. He has led strategic alliances and fundraising efforts that support social impact projects.
Through the TechnoCreatives exchange, he aims to strengthen institutional partnerships with U.S. counterparts and co-develop open STEAM modules that expand youth access to future-ready skills.
| Dr. Yair López Ortiz |
Dr. Yair López Ortiz is a transdisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher in socio-cultural studies at ITESO University. He designs educational and cultural programs that integrate art, sound, science, and technology across schools, universities, and public institutions.
Through engagement with U.S. educational and cultural organizations, he seeks to strengthen open-source STEAM learning tools and foster collaborative initiatives that expand creative technology education for youth.
Program Impact
Through this exchange, the U.S. Department of State advances its commitment to:
- Strengthening civil society engagement across the Americas
- Expanding equitable access to education and workforce development
- Promoting cross-border institutional partnerships
- Showcasing U.S. expertise in STEAM education and innovation
The TechnoCreatives exchange strengthens enduring connections between U.S. institutions and Mexican education leaders, contributing to shared economic growth, innovation capacity, and regional stability.
Upon returning home, participants will implement pilot STEAM modules while continuing collaboration with U.S. counterparts, reinforcing sustainable hemispheric partnerships.
About the Education and Culture Program
Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Education and Culture Program advances U.S. foreign policy goals by supporting professional exchanges that build institutional partnerships, promote mutual understanding, and reinforce shared democratic values throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Want to learn more about the Education and Culture Travel Grant Program and how to get involved as a host or travel grantee? Learn more at our website here: https://www.partners.net/program/travel-grants/