Meet our board below, and learn why they joined the First-Gen Former Student Network:
President
Class Year: 2011
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Current City: San Antonio, TX
Occupation: Admissions Counselor, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Dr. Joshua Anzaldúa, TAMU ‘11, is a scholar-practitioner, nonprofit leader, and equity-driven educator and researcher with over a decade of experience spanning higher education, social services, and the nonprofit sector. He began service as President of the Texas A&M University First-Generation Former Student Network in July 2025, leading efforts to connect and advocate for First-Generation Aggies across generations.
Dr. Anzaldúa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Texas A&M University, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Grounded in his lived experience as a First-Generation college graduate, Josh combines critical research, nonprofit leadership, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations of leaders.
Vice President
Class year: 2020
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Current city: College Station, TX
Occupation: Program Coordinator of Recruitment Operations, Texas A&M University
Howdy! I’m Liliana Benavidez, a Brownsville, Texas native and Texas A&M University Class of 2020 Aggie. I’m passionate about student success and expanding access to educational and career pathways beyond high school. I currently work in dual enrollment advising and bring a diverse professional background spanning healthcare, marketing, higher education, and retail. I value meaningful connections and continuous learning from others’ experiences, and always love an opportunity to connect.
Membership Director
Class year: 2009
Hometown: Houston, TX
Current city: Houston, TX
Occupation: Principal Apprentice, Houston ISD
Dr. Courtney Riley is a proud First-Generation Aggie and dedicated school leader with a heart for equity, impact, and access. He currently serves as principal of Mark White Elementary in Houston ISD, where he leads a dual-language campus rooted in academic excellence and cultural pride. A former early college administrator and published scholar, Dr. Riley brings a research-based, student-first lens to his work in education. His leadership is grounded in the belief that representation matters and every student deserves to see what’s possible.
Marketing Director
Class year: 2022
Hometown: Houston, TX
Current city: Dallas, TX
Occupation: Audience & Insights Analyst, Publicis Groupe
Howdy y’all, I’m Michael. I’m from in Houston, Texas, and currently live in Dallas, Texas as an Audience & Insights Analyst at Publicis Groupe. I graduated Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Sociology in 2022, and earned my Master of Science in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin in 2023. I’m a First-Generation college graduate, as well as an avid concertgoer and huge Houston sports fan. I can’t wait to connect with more First-Gen Aggies, and am beyond excited to build community together in the near future!
