Exploring Tech Companies Supporting Our Community E4
In this episode of STEM Unplugged, we’re exploring Arizona tech companies supporting our community to stay connected. Both Cox and Verizon are noted for making an effort to reduce the digital divide and providing resources for online learning at the start of the pandemic. They are also making an effort to increase their support systems for the opening of school in August – in person and virtually.
We would like to highlight and celebrate the teachers, students, parents and essential employees for doing their best during this time. With the support of the Tech industry in Arizona, additional access to resources will be available. Get connected with companies making a difference and let’s discuss how to provide mentoring to non-tech individuals to learn how to excel in the virtual education platforms.
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, Cox proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states.
In metro Phoenix Cox is honored to serve more than 2.5 million product subscribers, and in Southern Arizona approximately 400,000. The 3,200 Arizona employees are proud to have put Cox at the top of PC Magazine’s “people’s choice” and Ranking Arizona’s “Best of Arizona Business and Top Internet Provider” lists.
Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
Roxanne Wingate serves as Sr. Community Relations Specialist for Cox Communications. In this role, Roxanne supports Cox’s community outreach efforts, including Cox’s Connect2Compete program.
Prior to Cox, Roxanne focused on community outreach, Public Relations and Hispanic Marketing for AAA Arizona, Valley of the Sun United Way and Entravision Communications.
Roxanne is a recipient of the 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 award and Cox Communications Rising Star award. Roxanne was also recognized as one of 30 Millennials changing Arizona’s Business landscape by Arizona Business Magazine in 2018. She is a graduate of Valley Leadership Institute and Valle del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership Institute.
Roxanne holds a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Spanish from Arizona State University. She resides in Goodyear with her husband and three sons.
Verizon is one of the largest communication technology companies in the world.
With over 150 locations, Verizon is a global leader delivering innovative communications and technology solutions that improve the way our customers live, work, learn and play.
Founded in 2000, the company operates America’s most reliable wireless network and the nation’s premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated solutions to businesses worldwide. With brands like Yahoo, TechCrunch and HuffPost, the company’s media group helps consumers stay informed and entertained, communicate and transact, while creating new ways for advertisers and partners to connect.
Matt Clark is the Director of Government Relations for Verizon in Arizona. Matt will serve as the Government Relations Director for Verizon in Arizona to help navigate the challenges and opportunities that face Verizon as it grows its worldwide telecommunications network.
Prior to joining Verizon, Matt served as the Government Relations Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) where he helped identify, develop and promote legislation that supports ADOT’s Vision, Goals and Strategic Plan. Before his time at ADOT, Matt served as the Transportation and Municipal Government Policy Advisor to Governor Doug Ducey. In addition to transportation and municipal government, Matt advised the Governor on public pensions, technology, autonomous vehicles, and broadband development.
Matt has over 20 years of experience processing and navigating the legislative procedure. He started as a Legislative Assistant in Representative John Shadegg’s office in Washington D.C. and completed his time in Washington D.C. as a Special Assistant to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. In addition to his other work in Arizona, Matt has served as a Senior Policy Planner for the Maricopa Association of Governments.
About Our Sponsor
SciTech Institute™ was established as the Arizona Technology Council Foundation as the conduit for collaboration among STEM industry, academia, civic, and non-profit organizations in Arizona. Now, rebranded and named the SciTech Institute™ the goal centers around aligning assets and resources to motivate individuals to pursue STEM-related educational and career paths or find a passion while engaged in community events during the SciTech Festival. 
The Chief Science Officer program highlights the 6th-12th graders that have been selected as leaders in their schools and communities to receive training to build a world-class community of diverse STEM-literate workers and knowledgeable, engaged citizens. Science For All allows for tax credit donations to provide engaging experiences for students while RAIN (Rural Activation Innovation Network) focuses on resources for the rural areas of Arizona.
As a STEM Learning Ecosystem, SciTech Institute™ focuses on collaboration and connecting individuals with opportunities! STEM Professionals are encouraged to engage with the future workforce by serving as a mentor, leadership coach, panelist, keynote and session trainer during a variety of conferences hosted or sponsored by SciTech Institute™ and The Arizona Technology Council.
Teachers and Administrators are invited to connect with the resources available while activating a large network of STEM champions for student projects, judges at events, volunteers, exhibitors and more. SciTech Festival Event Coordinators are supported during the planning and execution of community STEM events around the state by the SciTech STREET Team Members and the growing network of volunteers. The possibilities are endless! SciTech Institute™ looks forward to connecting with you today. Visit SciTechInstitute.org today for more information.
Follow SciTech Institute on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Your STEM Unplugged Host
After graduating from Bolivar-Richburg High School in rural western New York and joining the United States Army, Kelly Greene learned quickly to adapt to her surroundings to be successful. She attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and played shortstop on the Tiger softball team while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.
After graduating from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, she traveled the world with the military. While stationed in Misawa, Japan, Kelly fell in love with learning about cultures around the world. Even as a deployed Soldier during Operation Iraqi Freedom for two tours, she found opportunities to connect with the local children to form the Victory Base Council Girl Scouts with her fellow servicemen.
In 2013, she was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and traveled the country by air and had the opportunity to utilize the most advanced technologies available to the tactical HUMINT operations in theater. Upon return from combat, she retired with 21 years of service and began teaching 6th grade Math.
After being selected as a Westside Impact Teacher of the Year and having her Fiesta Bowl Charities Wish Granted for a morning news studio, she was asked to begin a new class on campus – 7th grade STEM! Using her enthusiastic nature and combined with her strong classroom management she was able to design curriculum based on the Engineering Design Process to have her 7th graders complete a new project every 2 weeks!
She is excited to serve as the Director of Student Success for the rapidly expanding Chief Science Officers Program. Her goal is to push students just a bit outside of their comfort zone so they can see for themselves the power of their own ideas.
Valentina Lopez is a 3rd year Chief Science Officer currently attending Basis Goodyear.
She is passionate about STEM, as well as advocating for her peers and positively impacting her community.
