
Today, March 25, 2026, UTEP’s College of Education proudly launched the Region-Wide K-12 AI Learning Incubator Kick-Off Workshop sponsored by the Hopper Dean Center of Excellence for K–12 Computer Science Education, El Paso Computes, the City of El Paso and the El Paso Community Foundation!
District leaders from across the region - including Canutillo ISD, Clint ISD, El Paso ISD, Socorro ISD, Tornillo ISD, and Ysleta ISD - came together at UTEP to collaborate on the future of AI in K-16 education.
A highlight of the morning was our cross-sector panel on workforce AI needs, moderated by Dean Clifton Tanabe, featuring:
• Jonathan (JJ) Childress, Director of TechSpark Texas, Microsoft
• Dr. Xavier de la Torre, Superintendent, Ysleta ISD
• Dr. Ivan Gris, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, City of El Paso
• Dr. Salamah I. Salamah, Associate Vice President of Research for Computing and AI, UTEP
• Max Villaronga, President & CEO, Raiz Credit Union
This initiative is building a shared vision for responsible, innovative AI integration in schools grounded in collaboration, data, and student-centered outcomes.
We’re excited to continue this work with our district partners as we move toward impactful AI strategies across the region!
#HopperDean #EPCF #ElPasoComputes #UTEPCOED #IAmElPaso

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