For the Valdez family, UHD wasn’t just a first college experience—it was the launchpad for three siblings into careers in healthcare and public service.

Dr. Isaac Valdez graduated from UHD in 2014 with an undergraduate degree in Applied Mathematics. Since then, he’s worked as a clinical program manager at MD Anderson Cancer Center, earned a Ph.D. from UTHealth Houston, and served as Vice President for Apollo Healthcare, a Division of Radiation Business Solutions. He recently began a new role as the Associate Vice President of Radiation Oncology at Fred Hutchinson (Fred Hutch) Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. Fred Hutch is an independent, nonprofit cancer research institute that also serves as the cancer program for the University of Washington Medicine.

UHD’s small class sizes and proximity to downtown Houston were intriguing to Isaac, but his older sister Reyna’s positive experience helped solidify his decision to become a Gator. “I give a lot of credit to my sister," Isaac said. Reyna, who also earned a degree in the sciences, now works in the pathology department at MD Anderson.

Reyna’s experience in UHD’s Scholars Academy was especially influential: “She would come home and tell me about Scholars Academy. The relationships that she was building with the professors were more personal, and I really liked that.”

UHD’s influence on the Valdez family extends beyond Reyna and Isaac. The siblings’ younger brother, Martin, also attended, branching out of the sciences to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. He now works as a state trooper in Colorado.

"We’re all first-generation students. Reyna’s the one that broke that ceiling for us and really got to learn how UHD operated. She showed me the ropes, and so it was a little bit easier for me to navigate UHD.”

The trio’s on-campus involvement created a lasting bond with the university. Isaac said, “All three of us were part of the Environmental Club and the Student Government Association at the time. We got to share a lot of experiences together, whether it was volunteering at the community garden or getting lunch with all our friends.” He continued, "I got to meet some of my sister’s friends, and then she got to meet some of mine, and then I got to meet some of my brother’s.”

Isaac’s and Martin’s spouses are also alumni, making for five Gator alums in the Valdez family.

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