Career and technical education collaborative names regional director 

From the Big Bend Rural Initiative for Success in Education

ALPINE — The Big Bend Rural Initiative for Success in Education (BB-RISE) named Jarrett Vickers as their inaugural regional director this week. BB-RISE is a regional career and technical education (CTE) collaborative between Alpine ISD, Marathon ISD and Marfa ISD that enhances college and career readiness across the Big Bend. Additional partners include Sul Ross State University, Odessa College, the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin and Empower Schools. 

BB-RISE is a first-of-its-kind partnership in the Big Bend, and one of only five such partnerships in Texas. Through BB-RISE, Alpine ISD, Marathon ISD and Marfa ISD will operate inter-district CTE programs, allowing students to participate in CTE programs at neighboring school districts while remaining enrolled in their home district. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, BB-RISE is planning to open Alpine High School’s certified nursing assistant program to students at all three districts; additional CTE programs in business management and information technology are also being explored for this regional approach. 

Vickers takes the lead at BB-RISE with over 17 years of educational leadership experience, including most recently as the principal at Alpine High School. In that role, Vickers led the transition into the new AHS building in 2022, increased academic outcomes on state assessments by an average of 10% over the past two years, and increased CTE funding for the campus by over $100,000. Under his leadership, Alpine High School has ranked as one of the highest performing high schools in West Texas. 

Previously, Vickers served as an accomplished teacher, head coach and athletic director in districts across Texas. Vickers’ proven educational leadership and statewide experience were key factors in his selection for this inaugural position. 

“Launching and leading BB-RISE requires an exceptional leader, someone with extraordinary vision and organization, knowledge of the intricacies of secondary schools and CTE programs, and well-developed strengths in collaboration, culture-building, and leading people,” shared Alpine ISD Superintendent, Michelle Rinehart. “Mr. Vickers exemplifies this diverse skill set. He has proven his ability to lead for instructional excellence while building strong relationships with students, staff, and families. As the BB-RISE regional director, Mr. Vickers will expand his impact beyond Alpine and across the Big Bend, as he helps improve post-secondary opportunities and outcomes in all three communities.” 

BB-RISE is a fully grant-funded program supported by investments from the Still Water Foundation, Permian Basin Area Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the MPact Fund at the Moody Foundation. Additional applications have been submitted for the Texas Regional Pathways Network grant and to West Texas philanthropic foundations to expand BB-RISE’s CTE offerings.

“I am excited to see the shared commitment we all bring to preparing the next generation of leaders with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in today’s competitive workforce,” shared Marathon ISD Superintendent Ivonne Durant. “Together, we are forging pathways that will empower students to thrive in high-demand industries and make a lasting impact on our communities. Mr. Vickers is the ideal administrator to lead a successful, student-centered Career and Technical Education program across our three districts.” 

BB-RISE was conceptualized in the summer of 2024 by the Alpine, Marathon and Marfa superintendents. Grant funding was coordinated by Rinehart at Alpine ISD in order to move the initiative forward. Yvonne Realivasquez helped lead the BB-RISE ideation and planning in the fall of 2024, before transitioning to an executive leadership role at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. 

Over the coming months, Vickers will lead BB-RISE from a newly formed partnership into its official launch, with students from all three districts enrolling in regional CTE programs starting in August. Goals for the initiative include developing and implementing two new, high-quality CTE pathways for students aligned with regional workforce demands, establishing industry partners to provide work-based learning opportunities for students, coordinating sustainable revenue through a balanced portfolio of funding sources, and increasing the number of high school students enrolled in CTE pathways and earning 15 college credit hours before graduation. 

“I am truly appreciative of this amazing opportunity given to me by Mr. Alferez, Dr. Durant and Dr. Rinehart,” shared Vickers. “I am also grateful for the new journey ahead. I embrace this new role as a chance to grow, learn, and contribute, knowing that each step is a gift.” 

This spring Vickers will lead all three districts through finalizing partnership agreements, coordinating logistics to open CTE programs up to students from neighboring partner districts, supporting CTE teachers in expanding their program offerings, engaging with students and parents in all three communities about new program opportunities, and applying for additional state and philanthropic funding to expand BB-RISE. 

Vickers will continue as Alpine High School principal through the end of June, while taking on planning aspects of the BB-RISE regional director position starting this month. Vickers will move full-time into the regional director role in July. 

“Marfa ISD is excited to collaborate with Mr. Vickers in his new role as BB-RISE regional director to impact more students in the Big Bend area,” shared Marfa ISD Superintendent, Arturo Alferez. “His expertise will be invaluable for the success of the program.” 

Vickers and his wife, Amanda Workman, athletic director at Sul Ross State University, have lived in Alpine for four years. Their son, Jak, attends the Alpine Child Development Center. 

Alpine ISD will initiate a hiring process for its next high school principal later this spring. 

“Being the AHS principal the last three years has been the most rewarding leadership position I have ever been in and I am truly grateful for all the staff and students I have worked with,” said Vickers. “I am excited to be a part of an initiative like BB-RISE that will show students across the Big Bend the unlimited post-secondary opportunities that are available.” 

Career and technical education collaborative names regional director 

From the Big Bend Rural Initiative for Success in Education

ALPINE — The Big Bend Rural Initiative for Success in Education (BB-RISE) named Jarrett Vickers as their inaugural regional director this week. BB-RISE is a regional career and technical education (CTE) collaborative between Alpine ISD, Marathon ISD and Marfa ISD that enhances college and career readiness across the Big Bend. Additional partners include Sul Ross State University, Odessa College, the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin and Empower Schools. 

BB-RISE is a first-of-its-kind partnership in the Big Bend, and one of only five such partnerships in Texas. Through BB-RISE, Alpine ISD, Marathon ISD and Marfa ISD will operate inter-district CTE programs, allowing students to participate in CTE programs at neighboring school districts while remaining enrolled in their home district. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, BB-RISE is planning to open Alpine High School’s certified nursing assistant program to students at all three districts; additional CTE programs in business management and information technology are also being explored for this regional approach. 

Vickers takes the lead at BB-RISE with over 17 years of educational leadership experience, including most recently as the principal at Alpine High School. In that role, Vickers led the transition into the new AHS building in 2022, increased academic outcomes on state assessments by an average of 10% over the past two years, and increased CTE funding for the campus by over $100,000. Under his leadership, Alpine High School has ranked as one of the highest performing high schools in West Texas. 

Previously, Vickers served as an accomplished teacher, head coach and athletic director in districts across Texas. Vickers’ proven educational leadership and statewide experience were key factors in his selection for this inaugural position. 

“Launching and leading BB-RISE requires an exceptional leader, someone with extraordinary vision and organization, knowledge of the intricacies of secondary schools and CTE programs, and well-developed strengths in collaboration, culture-building, and leading people,” shared Alpine ISD Superintendent, Michelle Rinehart. “Mr. Vickers exemplifies this diverse skill set. He has proven his ability to lead for instructional excellence while building strong relationships with students, staff, and families. As the BB-RISE regional director, Mr. Vickers will expand his impact beyond Alpine and across the Big Bend, as he helps improve post-secondary opportunities and outcomes in all three communities.” 

BB-RISE is a fully grant-funded program supported by investments from the Still Water Foundation, Permian Basin Area Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the MPact Fund at the Moody Foundation. Additional applications have been submitted for the Texas Regional Pathways Network grant and to West Texas philanthropic foundations to expand BB-RISE’s CTE offerings.

“I am excited to see the shared commitment we all bring to preparing the next generation of leaders with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in today’s competitive workforce,” shared Marathon ISD Superintendent Ivonne Durant. “Together, we are forging pathways that will empower students to thrive in high-demand industries and make a lasting impact on our communities. Mr. Vickers is the ideal administrator to lead a successful, student-centered Career and Technical Education program across our three districts.” 

BB-RISE was conceptualized in the summer of 2024 by the Alpine, Marathon and Marfa superintendents. Grant funding was coordinated by Rinehart at Alpine ISD in order to move the initiative forward. Yvonne Realivasquez helped lead the BB-RISE ideation and planning in the fall of 2024, before transitioning to an executive leadership role at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. 

Over the coming months, Vickers will lead BB-RISE from a newly formed partnership into its official launch, with students from all three districts enrolling in regional CTE programs starting in August. Goals for the initiative include developing and implementing two new, high-quality CTE pathways for students aligned with regional workforce demands, establishing industry partners to provide work-based learning opportunities for students, coordinating sustainable revenue through a balanced portfolio of funding sources, and increasing the number of high school students enrolled in CTE pathways and earning 15 college credit hours before graduation. 

“I am truly appreciative of this amazing opportunity given to me by Mr. Alferez, Dr. Durant and Dr. Rinehart,” shared Vickers. “I am also grateful for the new journey ahead. I embrace this new role as a chance to grow, learn, and contribute, knowing that each step is a gift.” 

This spring Vickers will lead all three districts through finalizing partnership agreements, coordinating logistics to open CTE programs up to students from neighboring partner districts, supporting CTE teachers in expanding their program offerings, engaging with students and parents in all three communities about new program opportunities, and applying for additional state and philanthropic funding to expand BB-RISE. 

Vickers will continue as Alpine High School principal through the end of June, while taking on planning aspects of the BB-RISE regional director position starting this month. Vickers will move full-time into the regional director role in July. 

“Marfa ISD is excited to collaborate with Mr. Vickers in his new role as BB-RISE regional director to impact more students in the Big Bend area,” shared Marfa ISD Superintendent, Arturo Alferez. “His expertise will be invaluable for the success of the program.” 

Vickers and his wife, Amanda Workman, athletic director at Sul Ross State University, have lived in Alpine for four years. Their son, Jak, attends the Alpine Child Development Center. 

Alpine ISD will initiate a hiring process for its next high school principal later this spring. 

“Being the AHS principal the last three years has been the most rewarding leadership position I have ever been in and I am truly grateful for all the staff and students I have worked with,” said Vickers. “I am excited to be a part of an initiative like BB-RISE that will show students across the Big Bend the unlimited post-secondary opportunities that are available.”