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SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS HLAA HUB
HLAA’s South-Central Texas hub fosters professional and community advancement for alumni by facilitating local networking events, cross-cultural engagement, balanced cross-sector programming and institutional representation. The South-Central Texas hub strengthens relationships between alumni, Clubs, SIGs and prospective students to increase recruitment, mentorship and fellowship. Initiatives include: workshops, service projects and collaboration with local organizations to ensure Latino visibility and participation by celebrating and educating on Latino culture, history and contributions.
MEET THE SCT HUB BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Linda Vargas-Lew has served the education profession for over 35 years in numerous multi-faceted leadership roles in the public and private-school systems as a teacher, counselor, academic dean, assistant principal, 4A and 5A high school principal, District Director of College Counseling encompassing 13 high school campuses and District Director of Guidance and Counseling encompassing 23 schools (elementary/middle/high). She has also worked in higher education as faculty and staff in the areas of admissions, diversity, international services, financial aid, student affairs, student development and leadership.
Dr. Vargas-Lew began her postsecondary studies as a first-generation college graduate at San Antonio Community College, then transferred and received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Trinity University. She then pursued a Master of Education in Teaching, Curriculum and Learning Environment from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and a Doctor of Education in K-16 Educational Leadership from Baylor University.
LINDA VARGAS-LEW
Harvard Graduate School of Education EdM ‘86
James Watkins was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, California. After graduating from high school, he attended Troy University in Alabama for his undergraduate studies. While at Troy he matriculated through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program earning a commission in the United States Army. He attended graduate school at Harvard University earning a master’s degree in management. James has served as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Control Tower Operator (CTO) Air Traffic Controller.
Currently, James serves as Vice President with Kanban Business Process Improvement (KBPI). He leads a team of Management Consultants versed in the transformational leadership methodology. James leverages an ability to quickly analyze data, problem solve, and reduce inefficiencies while ensuring quality access to care with cost-effective healthcare delivery. He is adept in business operations, data quality, supply chain management, forecasting and budget planning experience, human resources, quality assurance, process improvement and risk compliance.
JAMES L. WATKINS JR.
Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts & Sciences ALM ‘18
Ariel Gamiño is a leader in artificial intelligence at Cognite, where he drives AI innovation as part of the global Innovation Team. He designs and deploys AI Agents powered by Atlas AI and the Cognite Data Fusion Knowledge Graph, delivering domain-specific solutions for industrial clients in energy, manufacturing, and other heavy asset sectors. Ariel partners with enterprise customers to build agentic AI systems that enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and unlock new value from contextualized industrial data. Ariel also serves as President of the Harvard Extension Alumni Association.
Ariel taught data analytics for four years, beginning at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin in partnership with eDX. He is also a published author with Manning Publications, having written an instructional series on building recommendation systems—showcasing his expertise in data science and artificial intelligence. Ariel holds a strong academic background, including a degree in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s in Software Engineering from Harvard University, and a master’s in Predictive Analytics from Northwestern University.
ARIEL GAMIÑO
Harvard Extension School ALM ‘03
Dr. Judith A. Canales is a skilled executive experienced in leading federal and local government agencies and nonprofit economic development organizations. She served under three U.S. Presidents—Clinton, Obama, and Biden—helping direct billions in federal investment to strengthen rural and urban communities. Dr. Canales was national president of MANA, A National Latina Organization, a graduate of the National Hispana Leadership Institute, and the co-author of the National Council of La Raza report, “The Hispanic Housing Crisis.” She is a board member of BCL of Texas, active member of the Eagle Pass Rotary Club, and has been recognized for her leadership by national, statewide and local organizations.
Dr. Canales received her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Leadership Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, a Master of Arts in Urban Studies from Trinity University in San Antonio, a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and an Associate of Arts from Southwest Texas Junior College.
JUDITH A. CANALES PhD
Harvard Kennedy School of Government MC/MPA ‘96
Specializing in youth policy, advocacy and research, Irene Gómez has led social and emotional learning initiatives for and with systemically impacted communities across the country for the past decade, organizing partners (from preschoolers to politicians) to nurture children’s well-being inside and out of the classroom.
Through her work at institutions such as The University of Texas, Intercultural Development Research Association, and U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor, Irene has conducted mixed method analyses and evaluations on civil rights at the local, state and federal levels, collaborating closely with Title I schools, queer youth, and immigrant, refugee and asylee families. As a consultant, she continues supporting student-led and -centered work as they build the collective futures they dream of.
IRENE GOMEZ
Harvard Graduate School of Education EdM ‘21
A seasoned educator and investment advisor, Charles Massiatte joined Martin Capital Advisors after working as a Financial Advisor and Assistant Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch at the Concord and La Cantera offices in San Antonio, Texas. Years of experience advising clients within the context of a large bulge bracket bank has reinforced his commitment to providing excellence in investment advice at a more personal boutique level.
Charles also holds numerous membership and leadership positions in various cultural and literary arts organizations. He serves as current Board President of San Antonio’s oldest writing arts organization Gemini Ink. Additionally, he serves as a director of the Harvard Club of San Antonio, serving as current Chair of the Harvard Book Club and working on the Harvard Book Prize and Early College Awareness committees. Charles earned his Bachelor of Liberal Arts, cum laude, from Harvard University, concentrating in economics and psychology. He continues to pursue graduate course work at Harvard in the history of ideas and religion and most recently was awarded the Hodson Trust Fellowship at St. John’s College (Annapolis) to pursue his Master of Liberal Arts degree focusing on philosophy and theology.
CHARLES ANTHONY MASSIATTE
Harvard University Extension School ALB ‘18
Javier Jimenez is a U.S. Air Force veteran and senior executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. As Director of Product Development at USAA, he leads enterprise initiatives that drive innovation, modernize operations, and leverage data and AI to strengthen performance and risk management. A Harvard University alumnus (ALM, Global Development Practice), he co-founded the Global Development Practice Student Society, serves on the Harvard Extension Alumni Association Board of Directors, is an active member of the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization, and serves as Treasurer of the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance (South-Central Texas Hub). Beyond Harvard, he is Vice President of Government Affairs and a Board Member for the United Soldiers and Sailors of America, where he leads federal advocacy efforts on behalf of military families, reflecting his enduring commitment to principled leadership and service.
JAVIER JIMENEZ
Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts & Sciences ALM '23
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