The STEM Road

Elevate Southwest

"The STEM Road" podcast, brought to you by Elevate Southwest, offers a unique insight into the journey of aspiring professionals and industry leaders within the Greater Yuma Region's STEM fields. Each episode delves into a featured industry expert's personal and professional experiences alongside a student currently navigating their path in the same field. Join us as we explore the diverse pathways to success in post-secondary education and career advancement, aiming to elevate our community.

  1. 10/07/2025

    The STEM Road: Episode 7 | Career Ready – The Power of CTE Education

    The STEM Road Podcast by Elevate Southwest – Episode 7 | Season 2 Special Guests: Tom Tyree, Superintendent, Southwest Technical Education District of Yuma (STEDY) Adan Santos, STEDY Student Ambassador Hosts: Jerry Cabrera, President & CEO, Elevate Southwest Melina Conroy, COO, Elevate Southwest In this episode, we explore how career and technical education (CTE) is giving high school students a head start on their futures. We sit down with STEDY’s Superintendent and one of their student ambassadors to discuss how hands-on learning, industry certifications, and mentorship are helping local students prepare for careers in fields like healthcare, engineering, cybersecurity, and more—all before graduation. This episode is all about starting early—building skills, exploring careers, and creating opportunities that last a lifetime.

    35 min
  2. The STEM Road: Episode 6 | Movement, Medicine & Making a Difference

    09/23/2025

    The STEM Road: Episode 6 | Movement, Medicine & Making a Difference

    The STEM Road Podcast by Elevate Southwest - Episode 6 | Season 2 Special Guests: Maria Camila Macias, Physical Therapist and Owner of Yuma Orthopedic Physical Therapy Andrik Reyes, Summer 2025 Intern & Cibola High School Junior Hosts: Jerry Cabrera, President & CEO, Elevate Southwest Melina Conroy, COO, Elevate Southwest In this episode, we explore how physical therapy combines science, compassion, and career inspiration. We sit down inside a local clinic to discuss what it’s like to help people regain movement, why internships matter, and how students are gaining hands-on experience in healthcare before they even graduate high school. This episode is all about movement—of the body, of careers, and of purpose. Yuma Orthopedic Physical Therapy Facebook Page: Yuma Orthopedic Physical Therapy

    33 min
  3. The STEM Road: Episode 5 | Wellness, Innovation & Opportunity

    09/02/2025

    The STEM Road: Episode 5 | Wellness, Innovation & Opportunity

    The STEM Road Podcast by Elevate Southwest Episode 5 | Season 2 Special Guests: Bryan Nance, CEO/Owner of Elemental LifeSpaJulian Castillo, Summer Intern Hosts: Jerry Cabrera, President & CEO, Elevate SouthwestMelina Conroy, COO, Elevate Southwest In this episode, we explore how wellness and science come together through innovative technologies like red light therapy, PEMF, and oxygen-enhanced recovery. We dive into how hands-on experiences can open doors to personal growth, career exploration, and unexpected opportunities. Listeners will learn how entrepreneurship, technology, and student internships can collide in powerful ways, revealing that the path to a STEM career doesn’t always look like a lab coat and test tube. Elemental LifeSpa Website: https://928spa.com

    32 min
  4. The STEM Road: Episode 4 | Turning Opportunities into Careers

    08/05/2025

    The STEM Road: Episode 4 | Turning Opportunities into Careers

    The STEM Road Podcast by Elevate Southwest - Episode 4 | Season 2 Special guests: Amanda Koonjbeharry, Public Affairs Manager, Leeward Renewable EnergyJoshua Lopez, StudentHosts: Melina Conroy, COO, Elevate SouthwestArlyn Galaviz, Communications Director, Elevate SouthwestIn this episode, we explore renewable energy, career opportunities, and how young professionals are getting involved in building a sustainable future. Current Leeward Renewable Energy Projects in Yuma County: Sierra Pinta Energy Storage - https://sierrapintaenergystorage.com/ White Wing Ranch Solar - https://whitewingranchsolar.com/

    53 min
  5. The STEM Road: Episode 3 | Your Future in Finance

    07/15/2025

    The STEM Road: Episode 3 | Your Future in Finance

    The STEM Road Podcast by Elevate Southwest - Episode 3 | Season 2 Special guests: Tom Rush, Founder - Yuma & Imperial Valley Wealth Management (YIVWM)Jackson Takesuye, StudentHosts: Jerry Cabrera, President/CEO - Elevate SouthwestMelina Conroy, COO - Elevate Southwest

    44 min
  6. The STEM Road: Episode 2 | Yuma Spaceport

    06/24/2025

    The STEM Road: Episode 2 | Yuma Spaceport

    The STEM Road Podcast by Elevate Southwest - Episode 2 | Season 2 Special guests: Jay Simonton, City of Yuma Administrator Didi Dillard, Student Hosts: Jerry Cabrera, President/CEO - Elevate Southwest Melina Conroy, Program Coordinator - Elevate Southwest

    37 min
  7. The STEM Road: Episode 01 | Season 02 - Architecture

    04/01/2025

    The STEM Road: Episode 01 | Season 02 - Architecture

    The STEM Road Podcast by Elevate Southwest | Episode 01 - Season 02. Guests: Chris Thompson, Thompson Design Architects.Connor Legros, NAU student.Hosts: Jerry Cabrera, Elevate Southwest President/CEO.Melina Conroy, Elevate Southwest Program Coordinator.

    37 min
  8. The STEM Road: Episode 10 | Season 01 Finale - Reflecting on Our Purpose & Vision

    01/21/2025

    The STEM Road: Episode 10 | Season 01 Finale - Reflecting on Our Purpose & Vision

    The STEM Road Podcast by Elevate Southwest - Episode 10. Hosts: Jerry Cabrera, Elevate Southwest President/CEO. Melina Conroy, Elevate Southwest Program Coordinator.

    37 min
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About

"The STEM Road" podcast, brought to you by Elevate Southwest, offers a unique insight into the journey of aspiring professionals and industry leaders within the Greater Yuma Region's STEM fields. Each episode delves into a featured industry expert's personal and professional experiences alongside a student currently navigating their path in the same field. Join us as we explore the diverse pathways to success in post-secondary education and career advancement, aiming to elevate our community.

Information

  • Creator
    Elevate Southwest
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Elevate Southwest
  • Show Website
    The STEM Road