Spotlight on District's Tina Ybarra

Published Jan. 6, 2014

GALVESTON, Texas (Jan. 6, 2014) – For nearly three decades Visual Information Specialist Tina Ybarra has reported to work at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District to provide audio visual support, photography, videography and records archiving services to staff.

“I feel that the support that I provide to employees helps complete our mission and contributes to making a difference,” said Ybarra. “Whether it’s setting up a presentation for sponsors, displays or photography, these items help tell our story.” 

Most recently, Ybarra worked with staff to create a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math video to highlight the district’s STEM Awareness Program; an aggressive community outreach and public information campaign which seeks to build relationships between USACE Galveston District employees and underrepresented middle and high school students to encourage an interest in STEM courses and the pursuit of engineering and science career fields.

The innovative campaign included partnering with nationally-recognized STEM organizations, higher education institutions and using social media to maximize outreach efforts and contribute to current and future generations of students seeking to pursue careers in STEM fields.

“The video I created was part of a larger campaign that aimed to help close the performance gap in under-represented students’ STEM educational achievement and encourage students to secure technical jobs,” said Ybarra.

Additionally, Ybarra oversaw the printing of STEM Inspiration Campaign posters that were used during the annual Great Minds in STEM event in Houston to bring about awareness of available jobs in STEM and showcase local, regional and national leaders who pursued STEM careers.

A native of Galveston Island, she enjoys spending her free time with her fiancée and eight-year-old daughter; a potential future employee who according to Ybarra expresses her interest in following in her mother’s footsteps to come work at the district “because there are so many nice people here.”

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