From SAC to the Stars: How One Professor’s Mentorship Sparked a Legacy of Discovery

San Antonio College (SAC) has long been a launching pad for student dreams, but few stories illustrate that better than the journey of astrophysicist Dr. Rodolfo Montez Jr. – and the students now following the trail he helped blaze.

Years ago, Montez was a SAC student intending to pursue a business degree. Despite his academic strengths in math and science, a high school counselor had once steered him away from the sciences. But everything changed when Montez took an introductory astronomy course at SAC, taught by Professor Alfred Alaniz. That class rekindled his interest in space and set him on a new path.

Alaniz, who recognized Montez’s potential early on, encouraged him to explore scientific coursework beyond general education requirements. Montez went on to earn degrees in astronomy and physics from the University of Texas at Austin, conduct research at top-tier institutions such as MIT and Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, and eventually earned his doctorate in astrophysics from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Today, Montez is an expert in X-ray emissions and stellar evolution, conducting research at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory – a partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and Harvard University. He is also part of the Chandra X-ray Center, where he helps oversee one of NASA’s Great Observatories.

Though now based in Boston, Montez remains connected to SAC and to Professor Alaniz. Over the years, he has visited campus, spoken with students, and most recently, played a key role in launching a transformative opportunity for undergraduate researchers: the CREATE program.

CREATE, which stands for Collaborative Research Experiences for Aspiring Theorists and Engineers, provides undergraduate students with a paid summer internship at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. It offers students access to mentorship, research experience, and the chance to present their findings at national scientific conferences.

While SAC is one of several institutions participating, the college’s connection to the program came about thanks to a chance reunion between Montez and SAC students at a national astronomy conference, facilitated by Alaniz.

Among those students were Lisa Tusko and Jessica Joyner, Vice President and Secretary of SAC’s Society of Physics Students (SPS), respectively. Both students were encouraged by Alaniz to apply – and were accepted into the highly competitive CREATE program.

Lisa, a first-generation college student with aspirations to research black holes, and Jessica, a mechanical engineering major interested in astrophysical applications, will both spend the summer conducting research at one of the world’s premier astrophysics centers. Their projects will culminate in presentations at the 247th American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting in January 2026.

The opportunity has been life changing. For Lisa, CREATE is a major milestone in her academic career. For Jessica, it has opened the door to future research possibilities in engineering and space science. Both credit SAC and SPS for providing them with the mentorship and community they needed to take this step forward.

Alaniz, who founded SAC’s chapter of SPS in 2014, has guided numerous students through national conferences and research opportunities. But this moment, he says, feels special. The same program that launched Montez’s career has now come full circle, providing a new generation of SAC students with the tools and encouragement to aim higher.

CREATE is more than just a summer internship – it is a testament to the power of mentorship, representation, and resilience. Lisa and Jessica’s selection signals that talent exists everywhere, and that with the right support, community college students can – and do – thrive on the national stage.

SAC is proud to support these students and celebrate the ripple effect of educators like Alfred Alaniz, whose influence continues to shape the future of science, one student at a time.

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