About Us

Get to Know Us

Learn about the RSIZ

Video, 2019

Our Mission

Our Mission is to provide rural school students high-quality opportunities for postsecondary success.

Our Vision

Our Vision is to reinvent the rural education experience.

Our Core Beliefs

Open Access

Students from rural communities should have every opportunity for access to challenging career paths to achieve high levels of postsecondary success.
Instructional Excellence

Rural students should be exposed to the best teachers in America.
Better Together

Rural schools are stronger through collaboration.
Limitless Potential

Rural communities nurture big dreams through innovation.

Our Team

Michael Gonzalez

Michael Gonzalez is the Executive Director of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone. Prior to starting this role he was principal of Premont Collegiate High School in Premont ISD and led the campus to the recognition of a Met Standards campus in 2017 and received a “B” in 2018 and 2019 school years. He has served as a History Teacher and coach in Odem-Edroy ISD, Athletic Director and then principal of Kingsville Academy High School, and High School Principal in Agua Dulce ISD and San Diego ISD. He holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a M.S. in Educational Administration. Mike loves family time with Judi, his wife of over 35 years, and his children, Danielle Nichole, Kristen Renee, and his son Jordan.

Executive Director

Rick Ruiz

LEA/IHE Liaison

Enrique Ruiz, Jr. is the IHE/LEA Liaison of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone. Prior to this role he has served as an Assistant Director in Tuloso-Midway ISD, Director of Teaching and Learning in Brooks County ISD, principal of Premont Secondary in Premont ISD, Dean of Student Services in San Diego ISD and high school English teacher in Ben Bolt High School in Ben Bolt ISD. He holds a B.A. in English from St. Mary’s University and a M.S. in Educational Administration from Texas A&M-Kingsville. He studied abroad at the University of London and completed the Executive Education Academy from the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Enrique is the proud father of his daughter Sophia and together, they share a love of music.

Anna Vela

College and Career Counselor

Anna Lisa Vela is the College and Career Counselor of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone. Prior to this role she was a Counseling Consultant for Kingsville ISD, Director of Mental Health and Disability for Community Action Corporation of South Texas, Lead Counselor for the 9th Grade Center at New Braunfels ISD, Counselor for Cooper Elementary at Spring ISD, Early Childhood Counselor for Pre-Kinder at San Diego ISD, and taught 3rd and 4th grade at Mary R. Garcia and Hillcrest Elementary for Alice ISD. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Masters of Science in Guidance and Counseling, and has completed all coursework to become a Licensed Professional Counselor and is currently preparing to take her NCEE. Anna Lisa loves spending time with family, her husband of 34 years, 3 daughters (Allison, Madeline, Emma), and 2 son-in laws (Zach and Colby). Her greatest thing in life is seeing her family grow and watching their daughters reach their full potential in life and their careers.

Our Board

Doug Dawson

Executive Director, School Innovation Collaborative
Dr. Rosalind Alderman

Vice President for Enrollment Management, Texas A&M Kingsville
Maria Anzualda

School Board Trustee, Brooks County ISD
Adrian Perez

President, Freer ISD School Board
Irma Johnson

President, Premont ISD School Board
Joe Dan Leal

Trustee, Benavides ISD School Board
Tiffeny Ranly

President, Agua Dulce ISD School Board
Dr. Leonard Rivera

Vice President, Dual Enrollment & Continuing Education, Del Mar College