Alumna gives back as advisory-board member for Cancer Data Management program

When Valerie Rocha graduated from San Jacinto College’s Cancer Data Management (CDM) program, she stepped into a field she felt prepared for — one grounded in accuracy, critical thinking, and a mission bigger than data alone. Today, she’s back at San Jac—but this time, she’s on the other side of the classroom.

“I was motivated to join the advisory committee as a way to give back to the program that helped shape my career,” Rocha said. “The field of cancer data management is constantly evolving, and I see this as an opportunity to share real-world insights and support future professionals entering the field.”

Full Circle: From Student to Industry Voice

Rocha still remembers what it felt like to sit where today's CDM students now sit — navigating staging systems, learning coding standards, and discovering the role data plays in treatment outcomes.

“It’s truly rewarding,” she said. “I remember going through those same classes, learning the fundamentals that became the foundation for my career. Now to return as a professional and contribute to the next generation of students feels like things have come full circle.”

Advisory committee members at San Jac do more than offer opinions. They help align curriculum with emerging standards, technology, and workforce needs so graduates are truly job-ready.

“Advisory committees provide a link between academia and real-world demands,” Rocha said. “By sharing current practices, updates, and workforce needs, we help ensure the curriculum reflects the skills and knowledge that employers are actively seeking.”

San Jacinto College maintains advisory committees across dozens of programs — from health care and manufacturing to business, logistics, and technology — all built on employer partnership.

A Two-Way Investment in the Future of the Field

For Rocha, serving hasn’t just been a way to give back — it has strengthened her own professional development.

Being part of the committee keeps me informed about emerging trends and provides a valuable forum for collaboration. Hearing how other professionals are addressing changes in the industry broadens my own perspective

She says the CDM program still reflects what prepared her most for success: the high standards for data accuracy, and the expectation to think critically — skills that matter even more today as artificial intelligence reshapes how cancer data is collected, analyzed, and used to improve patient outcomes.

Why industry partners should consider advisory-committee service at San Jacinto College

Rocha believes many professionals underestimate the impact they can have — or assume advisory roles are only for people with decades of leadership experience. She disagrees.

“I’d tell them to just say yes. You don’t need to have all the answers,” she said. “What matters is your willingness to share your experience and ideas. It’s a meaningful way to give back, stay engaged, and help shape the future of your profession.”

For companies and professionals serving on a San Jacinto advisory committee offers tangible benefits:

• You help shape a curriculum that produces job-ready graduates trained in the latest standards.
• You gain early access to emerging talent from accredited programs.
• You stay plugged in to trends, standards and innovations via a structured interface with the College and its faculty.
• You build relationships with other professionals, faculty, and the College leadership, reinforcing your role as a workforce partner.
• You advance the reputation of your organization by aligning with an institution recognized for program excellence.

And for the students sitting where Rocha once sat, those voices make the difference between learning a field — and stepping confidently into it.

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About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.