Keynote Panelists
Dr. Fred Fuentes, Ed.D., Executive Director of Latinx Engagement & Outreach, Texas A&M University-Commerce
Fernando “Fred” Fuentes Jr. is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas. He began his professional career as a U.S. Army soldier with several war-tested Military Police Battalions in the United States and Latin America. Along his academic journey, he has been able to celebrate being the first in his family to graduate high school AND from university. He has earned degrees and certificates from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Del Mar College, Texas A&M University-Commerce, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and the Harvard School of Public Health. In 2023, Dr. Fuentes will celebrate his 15th year at Texas A&M University–Commerce and currently serves as Executive Director for the Office of Latinx Engagement & Outreach.
Juan C. Garcia, M.Ed., MBA, Chief of Staff, Dallas College
Originally from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Juan Carlos Garcia grew up in Oak Cliff and is the Chief of Staff for Dallas College under the Chancellor’s direction, working with Dallas College functional area leaders to streamline procedures and enhance collaboration and communication collegewide and throughout Dallas County with external community partners.
Prior to his current role, he served the City of Dallas, working with Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax and his executive team as a Special Projects and City Council Committee Coordinator.
He currently serves on the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was appointed to the Fentanyl Prevention Strike Force by Dallas City Councilman Adam Bazaldua and the City of Dallas Ethics Advisory Commission (EAC) by Mayor Pro Term Carolyn King Arnold.
Last July, Juan Carlos was named a 2022 Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. Mr. Garcia’s educational background includes a B.A. and a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas and a Master’s of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the University of North Texas at Dallas.
Dr. Curtis Hill, Ed.D., LPC, Professional Counselor, Dallas College
Dr. Curtis Hill has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, a Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from Baylor University. His career spans more than 25 years of service in higher education, including work as a part-time Faculty (graduate and undergraduate); Mental Health Counselor; Director of Counseling; Coordinator of TRIO & Workforce Programs; and Vice President of Student Affairs. Currently, he serves as a member of the Counseling and Psychological Services staff with Dallas College and the Sole Proprietor of Relationships Refocused, PLLC, a coaching, consulting, and counseling practice.
Keith McKinnon, MS, Faculty- Health and Fitness Kinesiology, Dallas College
In his 20th year at Mountain View, Keith McKinnon has served in various capacities, ultimately serving as a faculty instructor in Dallas College’s Department of Health and Fitness Kinesiology. A proponent of strong collaborations, he is the current advisor of Mountain View’s Fitness Club. He is CPR certified and serves as a CPR instructor who has helped countless individuals attain their certification free of cost through his program. Mr. McKinnon has founded different organizations, including Big City Sports, which focuses on youth sports development, and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Concordia University.
Plenary Speaker
Armando Banchs – Sr. Manager, Program Archetype, Big Thought
As Sr. Manager- Program Archetype, Armando supports, manages & creates curriculum in service of Big Thought’s Creator Archetype Pathways. Armando manages & supports credentialing programs within the College & Career Division, fosters relationships with external stakeholders for the digital credentialing of pathways, supervises & manages credentialing pilot programs, and works with pathways partners to raise Big Thought’s Creator Archetype badging to industry standards. Armando has worked as an advocate for Youth, Education and Leadership in Dallas and Arlington, for the past twenty-two years. He brings his skills as an educator, artist, mentor, curriculum designer, and program creator to Big Thought. His diverse experiences include teaching for Dallas ISD and Arlington Classics Academy, mentoring at risk youth in after-school programming, administrating after-school academic, mentoring, and Arts programs, mentoring student teachers from area universities, teaching adult citizenship night classes, and creating district curriculum for writing initiatives. His latest projects include Big Thought’s Apprentice Program for 16–24- year-old Opportunity Youth, and a three-year longitudinal study with a local area college.
