A legacy of leadership
This morning, I attended the funeral service for Dr. Manuel P. Berriozábal.
Dr. Berriozábal was a lifelong educator and the creator of the Pre-Fresheman Engineering Program (PREP) in San Antonio.
Since its founding in 1979, PREP has expanded state-wide and supported over 50,000 students in accessing elevated academic study and exploring career pathways in math, science, and engineering.
I was fortunate to be a PREP student in the mid-90s.
This opportunity allowed me to spend three consecutive summers on college campuses, taking courses that expanded my mind and my sense of possibility.
If you look across our local landscape, you’ll see generations of PREP alumni in all areas of community leadership.
Perhaps most dear to me, however, is that Dr. Berriozábal’s work was part of 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗼 that he shared with his beloved wife María Antonietta Rodriguez Berriozábal.
Together, María and Manny have lived a legacy of advocacy and leadership that has always been about lifting others to greater heights.
María was the first Latina to serve on the San Antonio City Council, and she has always been a leader guided by her faith in God and her deep belief in the power of people. I will forever be in awe of her and the doors she opened for so many of us.
Before I knew anything about María and Manny’s incredible leadership accolades, I knew them 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆.
At our family reunions, I’d listen to Maria tell stories of our ancestors and their journeys. She always acknowledged and honored the sacrifices they made to give us the opportunities we now enjoy.
In her brilliant book 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢, 𝘋𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴, she memorialized many of these family stories while also sharing reflections on the complex dynamics she navigated during her time in public service.
I return to María’s book often to reground myself in the reminder that I am never alone. My family’s history includes a long legacy of leadership.
As we celebrate Dr. Berriozábal’s life today, may this be an invitation and a reminder to honor the educators and community champions who pour possibility and power into the next generation of leaders.
Thank you, Manny and María, for being role models of leadership rooted in love. Your impact is undeniable.
🔎 Dr. Berriozábal's obituary can be found here.
🔎 Photo below is from the 40th Anniversary celebration of Hispanas Unidas. More about Hispanas Unidas here.
🔎 More on PREP here.
