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601 Circle Dr.Prospect Hall, Room 320
El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 747-5051
loyacenter@utep.edu
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Mr. Dalby comes to UTEP with more than twenty-five years of career experience in economic development. He has successfully helped a variety of business enterprises scale up and respond to growth challenges and his prior clients and collaborators include defense contractors, manufacturers, transportation and logistics firms, information technology enterprises, as well as business and personal services companies. Mr. Dalby led efforts to gain federal and state funding for multiple economic development projects, including military facilities, community infrastructure, workforce training centers, and career and technical education funding. He has also served as an intelligence officer and as a USAF Academy instructor. Mr. Dalby is a native of Stephenville, Texas, and is a graduate of the USAF Academy. He has an MA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Dr. Nicole Aguilar is celebrating 18 years as a higher education professional. In her current role as the Director of the Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce at UTEP, she is dedicated to broadening entrepreneurship education opportunities for all students. By engaging in internships, research-based projects, student accelerator programs, and pitch competitions, students can learn how to start a business, explore what it means to foster an entrepreneurial mindset, and join the entrepreneurial ecosystem right here in El Paso!
Previously, Nicole served in various capacities at UTEP focusing on student engagement and retention, leadership, campus traditions, and more. On a university-wide level, she was involved in developing the UTEP Edge, first-generation college student initiatives, faculty and staff leadership development, on-campus student employment, leading the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC), and more.
Nicole is a native El Pasoan and proud UTEP alum having earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University. She earned her doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University in spring 2025.
Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her two daughters and family, dancing, and watching sports. Despite her fear of heights, she hopes to go zip lining one day!
Karla Ramirez is a dedicated Higher Education Manager and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, with over fifteen years of valuable experience in various roles within academia. She is pursuing a Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration at The University of Texas at El Paso. Karla is committed to promoting academic excellence and innovation. As a 2022 Woody and Gayle Hunt-Aspen Fellow, she has been recognized for her potential as a leader in her field. As the Program Manager at the Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce, Karla handles the different budgets, events, Graduate Research Fellows, and hourly student workers. She collaborates with internal and external partners to promote entrepreneurship. A bilingual communicator in both English and Spanish, Karla's mentoring abilities have positively impacted those she works with. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of dedication, continuous learning, and effective leadership in shaping the future of higher education and entrepreneurship.
Daniel Mata
Studio G Consultant
Paula Jimenez
Events Planning Lead
Ana Servin
Innovation Officer
Diego Hernandez
Studio G Consultant
Carlos Benitez
College of Engineering
Ana Rodriguez
College of Business
Ricardo Cardenas
College of Engineering
Andrea Villagomez
College of Engineering
Jihoon Shin
College of Engineering
Gabriel Garcia
College of Engineering
Jordan Dominguez
College of Business
Jesus Perez Garcia
College of Engineering
Amy Gutierrez
College of Business
