Outreach Activities

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Dr. Tizpaz-Niari is mentoring two high-school students (Brendon and Angel) from the P-Tech Program of El Paso High School.
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Dr. Tiazpz-Niari has mentored multiple K-12 teachers from El Paso shcools in Summer 2023. Left: Ms. Villalobos (Clarke Middle School), Middle: Ms. Diaz (El Paso Leadership Academy).
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Dr. Tiazpz-Niari with three K-12 teacher in Summer 2024 (NSF RET, CREEDS). From Left to Right: Ms. Sotelo (Northwest Early College High School), Ms. Wieseman (Northwest Early College High School), Dr. Tizpaz-Niari (UT El Paso), Mr. Morales (Tornillo High School), and Leo Mercado (UT El Paso).
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Dr. Tizpaz-Niari with two other tax preparation volunteers is celebraing a successful tax season with Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.

Diversity and Inclusion in RISC Lab

Dr. Tizpaz-Niari and RISC lab at UTEP are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for all. They believe that a diverse and knowledgeable software and AI engineering workforce plays a critical role in safeguarding Responsible AI values. In addition, Dr. Tizpaz-Niari firmly emphasizes that such values differ across different communities. Hence, understanding the perception and prioritization of Responsible AI values from underrepresented communities is critical.

We encourage the underrepresented groups in computer science (CS) to apply to graduate and undergraduate programs at UTEP and join RISC lab.

  • Mentoring Middle- and High- School during Summer as a part of NSF RET program: Dr. Tizpaz-Niari has mentored three teachers from local schools in the past year. The teachers have developed a curriculum for their students to teach about AI and Responsible AI values. If you are teacher and interested in computing, please check out the NSF RET (CS, UTEP) and feel free to reach me (saeid at utep.edu) or the program organizers.
  • Mentoring Undergraduate Students as a part of NSF REU program: Dr. Tizpaz-Niari has mentored two Hispanic UG students from UTEP through NSF REU program, supported by CAHSI institution. Please feel free to reach out to saeid at utep.edu if you are UG student and interested in experiences in research.
  • Adviosry Board Member of the P-Tech program at El Paso High School with 92% Hispanic students: Dr. Tizpaz-Niari is regularely working with EPHS to advise them in developing and improving their curriculum in AI and Responsible AI.
  • Volunteer Tax Preparer: Dr. Tizpaz-Niari holds an advanced IRS certification to assist low-income families with their tax returns. and has since served Native-American community at El Paso (Ysleta del Sur Pueblo) as a volunteer tax preparer.