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2026 Keynote Speakers

Dr. Monique Reeves, D.M., PMP
Austin Community College
The Pivot Generation: How Community College Marketers Are Building the Future, One Story at a Time

This keynote will explore how rapid shifts in demographics, economics, technology, and student behavior are reshaping community college, and why marketing agility is now essential. This presentation challenges marketers to see themselves not just as promoters, but as narrative architects and change agents who help define institutional relevance, tell a more compelling community college story, and actively shape the future of student success.

The Pivot Generation Presentation

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr. Monique Reeves, Futurist/Executive Vice Chancellor of Austin Community College made her date with destiny when she solidifi ed her love for data earning her BBA in Computer Information Systems at Middle Tennessee State University
in the 1990s. Understanding information forced her to explore her cognitive and emotional intelligences in ways few comprehend. She is an extremely passionate leader who masters patterns, people, and purpose.

With more than 20 years of experience in Corporate America at companies including Bridgestone/Firestone and ACS (Xerox), Dr. Reeves knew she wanted to be a champion for change in higher education. With her Master of Science Degree in hand, she earned her doctoral degree in management from the University of Maryland University College with a focus in Community College Policy and Administration. This made her goal more attainable.

Dr. Monique Reeves was selected as an Aspen Presidential Fellow for Community College Excellence and holds numerous professional certifi cations that include Project Management Professional as well as Certified Scrum Master. Dr. Reeves
also serves as an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Executive Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership & Policy at The University of Texas at Austin.


Dr. Monique Reeves 

Alex Garrido

Alex Garrido
University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley
The AI Advantage for Higher Ed Marketing: What to Automate, What to Protect, and What to Elevate Through Ethical Workflows

AI is changing higher education marketing fast, but not every task should be automated, and not every workfl ow should move faster just because it can. This session offers a practical framework for using AI responsibly in marketing and communications teams by identifying what to automate, what to safeguard, and what human capabilities should be elevated. Attendees will leave with ethical, real-world workflow ideas they can apply to content, strategy, research, and team productivity without sacrifi cing trust, brand integrity, or human judgment.

The AI Advantage for Higher Ed Marketing Presentation

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Alex Garrido is Assistant Vice President for Marketing Strategy and Innovation at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he leads digital strategy, innovation, and emerging marketing initiatives. His work focuses on helping higher education teams use AI, analytics, search strategy, and content systems in practical ways that improve efficiency without losing trust, voice, or human judgment. He also teaches marketing at UTRGV, where he helps students connect strategy, technology, and real-world execution.


Adan Gabriel Garcia
Pollux Castor Creative
Introspective: Marketing From Within

When students are pressured to change themselves to fit within the world of education, campaigns that connect with their many layered cultural identities inspire them on a deeper level. This keynote lays out paths to creating marketing campaigns built around those identities and join both new and existing students with a shared sense of community. This session will challenge college marketers to analyze their students’ identities, weave culturally connected messaging and values into campaigns, and draw students into colleges that feel like a natural part of their personal story.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Adan Garcia is the Founder/President of Pollux Castor Creative, an award-winning agency grounded in authentic, culturally fl uent storytelling. Adan serves as the Director of Brand Strategy and has guided the agency to sixteen American Advertising Federation award winning years. Most recently, he was selected for the AAF District 10 - Mosaic Star Award for his work to consistently elevate the people and perspectives of South Texas—especially voices that are too often overlooked. Under his creative guidance the City of McAllen has been awarded IFEA World Festival and Event City for four consecutive years. He has also lead the marketing campaigns for 9x IFEA Best parade in the world, the McAllen Holiday Parade, and numerous other signature festivals held by the City of McAllen. In a region often misunderstood or misrepresented, he has contributed to messaging and community-facing efforts that affi rm the dignity, complexity, and strengths of border communities.


Adan Gabriel Garcia