valerie segovia

Director, Nuclear Power Institute, Zachry Engineering Education Complex

2022 keynote speaker

Dr. Valerie G. Segovia is the Director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) In her roles, Segovia leads and manages staff and the statewide workforce development mission of NPI and all outreach and educational programs. 

Segovia began her career with NPI over a decade ago and has created impactful programs that have been implemented across the State of Texas, including two NPI flagship programs, the Powerful Opportunities for Women Eager and Ready for Science, Engineering, and Technology (POWER SET) and the Workforce Industry Training (WIT). Traditionally, only 15%-17% of U.S. high school graduates pursue a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) college degree. However, under Segovia’s leadership, an average of 75%-80% of graduating high school students who participated in NPI programs have pursued a STEM degree over the past decade. She is also a content creator and producer and host of the NPI Podcast, “The Path of Most Persistence.”

Dr. Segovia has participated in many working meetings, acted as a national expert consultant, presented as a keynote speaker, created outreach projects, and chaired conference sessions for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria and for numerous Member States in their home countries.   She has presented for the Infrastructure Development Working Group (IDWG) for the United States in Rome, Italy, Paris, France, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), Women in Nuclear (WIN), American Nuclear Society (ANS), Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Texas P-16 Board, and Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP), along with other events to speak on educational issues and innovative programming.

Segovia holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, two master’s degrees: in counseling and administration and supervision, and a doctorate in educational leadership.