Governor Greg Abbott has made appointments to the Governing Board of the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD). Heather “Hex” Lightfoot was reappointed, while Gregorio Mata and Oscar Ocuto, Ed.D. were newly appointed. All three will serve terms ending on January 31, 2031. The board is responsible for overseeing all services provided by TSD, as well as preparing budgets, adopting policies, and appointing the superintendent.
Heather “Hex” Lightfoot of Austin is a mother of three children with varying hearing abilities and an advocate for Deaf and DeafBlind Texans. She works as a transition consultant for the Texas Deafblind Project and sits on the Board of Directors for the American Society for Deaf Children. Lightfoot holds a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Gallaudet University and a Master of Education in special education with a focus on orientation and mobility from Texas Tech University.
Gregorio Mata, based in Edinburg, is an operations and data associate at Activating Change. He serves on the Texas School for the Deaf District Advisory Committee and volunteers as a team lead at the Children’s Association for Maximum Potential. Mata earned his Bachelor of Arts in Government from Gallaudet University and his Master of Public Administration from Lamar University.
Oscar Ocuto, Ed.D., from Manchaca, works as an assistant professor of Education at Gallaudet University. He is involved with several organizations including the National Association of the Deaf, American Association of University Professors, and serves on Gallaudet University’s Faculty Development Committee. Ocuto received his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and English along with a Master’s degree in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University; he also holds a Doctorate in Deaf Education from Lamar University.
