Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Rocha is an experienced administrative professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting educational organizations, executive leadership, and community-facing programs. She has built her career in the education sector since 1999 and has been with Laredo Independent School District since 2005. Currently serving as an Instructional Television Specialist, Jessica manages departmental operations, budgets, schedules, project timelines, service requests, and technical support activities while developing reports and dashboards to help leadership monitor performance and make informed decisions. Her previous roles with the district included Senior Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Executive Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and Assistant Human Resources Officer/Office Manager/Executive Secretary.
Jessica's professional strengths include executive support, operations management, project coordination, customer service, budget administration, process improvement, and professional communication. Throughout her career, she has served as a liaison among executive leaders, staff, families, governing boards, and community partners, helping coordinate meetings, professional development, special initiatives, and district programs. She has also contributed to organizational projects such as the development of a Good Governance Handbook and District Strategic Plan and has represented the Superintendent's Cabinet at professional conferences. Her approach to work emphasizes professionalism, innovation, continuous learning, confidentiality, accountability, and identifying opportunities to streamline or digitize workflows while building organizational capacity for change.
Jessica earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Laredo College in 2023 and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership from Laredo College in 2025. She is continuing her professional development through graduate studies in Management and Leadership at Western Governors University and has earned certifications in Google Gemini, Google Cloud, and ChatGPT. Jessica credits her hands-on experience, supportive parents, and the leaders she has worked with as important influences on her professional growth. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to podcasts, working out, taking walks, and spending time with family. Guided by the belief that one's work is a personal signature, Jessica is focused on continued growth and aspiring toward program administration and organizational change leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the encouragement and confidence my parents instilled in me, along with the inspiring leaders I’ve had the opportunity to work with. Their support motivated me to continually grow, pursue further education, and challenge myself. Over the years, my experiences have also strengthened my self-efficacy and belief in what I can accomplish.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is that your work is your signature. It reflects your character, values, and commitment, so I strive to make everything I do a true representation of my best effort.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering my industry to never stop learning, keep moving forward, and believe in themselves. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, gain experience, and become stronger in your career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face is the limited opportunities for promotion and career advancement in my area. While I’m proud of the education I’ve pursued, balancing my career with raising my children has shaped my journey. At this stage, I’m focused on finding opportunities that recognize my experience, education, and potential beyond my current role. Advancing may require exploring opportunities outside my hometown and finding an organization willing to invest in my growth.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are professionalism, integrity, innovation, continuous learning, and growth. I believe that “your work is your signature,” so I strive to represent my organization with excellence, follow through on my commitments, and always do my best. Personally, my faith in God comes first and guides me through life’s challenges, reminding me that every experience has a purpose and every journey offers an opportunity to learn and grow.
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