Meet UP Partnership's New Team Members
To further deepen, strengthen and scale the efforts of the Future Ready Bexar County Plan, UP Partnership has hired several key positions to amplify the initial endeavors of the plan to achieve the North Star goal of increasing postsecondary enrollment among Bexar County high school graduates to 70% by 2030.
The UP Partnership team now includes Chryssa Delgado, Ph.D., Managing Director of Programs, Christina Martinez, Managing Director of Public Engagement, Paul Rodriguez, Ed.D., Director of Policy and Development and Kyra Thomas, Data Manager.
Get to know the New Team Members
Dr. Chryssa Delgado was born in San Antonio but spent her formative years in Pleasanton and Austin. As the daughter of retired state employees, she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.
Chryssa went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from St. Mary’s University, as well as her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas of Texas at San Antonio.
In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, she devotes time coaching a select softball team consisting of students in grades 6-8, the targeted population of the Future Ready North Star goal.
As a former Future Ready partner, Chryssa was drawn to the work of UP Partnership because of the organization’s ability to attract and retain accomplished professionals and industry experts as partners in the work being done within the Future Ready plan. She was excited to bring her extensive experience in higher education and college recruitment in Bexar County to the organization, further enriching its capacity for innovation and collaboration.
Her advice to all is to “find a mentor, sponsor and coach and use them as continued resources throughout your professional career journey.”
Christina Martinez is a native of San Antonio and is the daughter of urban public-school teachers who instilled in her a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education as a force for social change. As the mother of three, she shares her life with her family, including many pets – dogs, a cat, a bearded dragon and backyard chickens. She enjoys spending time outdoors, whether tending to the yard or exploring local trails by bike.
With a lifelong commitment to youth development, Christina was drawn to the mission of UP Partnership, which aligns with her passion for harnessing the collective impact of Bexar County’s resources to drive positive outcomes for the community’s young people.
Christina’s advice to all is to just do it! “By taking the first step and tackling challenges head-on, we can build momentum and confidence, while acknowledging that the perceived complexity of a task is far greater than the actual effort required to complete it.”
Dr. Paul Rodriguez is a San Antonio native and current resident of Lavaca/Southtown. He graduated from Churchill High School before going on to receive his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Notre Dame and his doctorate degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and watching professional soccer, including Arsenal and Champions League matches.
Paul was drawn to UP Partnership through his previous work at Future Ready partner greater:SATX. His experience deepened his understanding of the critical role education plays in driving economic growth and workforce development in Bexar County, recognizing that UP Partnership offered a unique opportunity to create lasting, sustaining impact in the community.
His advice to all, regarding career exploration, is to “find your purpose, not your passion.”
Kyra Thomas earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Services from the University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in Social Policy Evaluations from Rice University with a focus on quantitative evaluation methods and statistical modeling. With a background in project management, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to driving positive change through her work.
Kyra was drawn to UP Partnership’s comprehensive approach to community development, which prioritizes the equity pillars of Healing, Access and Voice throughout the work the networks and collaboratives do to drive meaningful change through a holistic understanding of young people’s needs.
Her advice to all is to remember “things come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.”
