From a shaky start as a 12-year-old Cuban refugee, Manuel Justiz eventually became dean of the College of Education at the University of Texas, Austin. An "educational maverick," Justiz insists on working closely with the Texas business community, local schools, the governor's business council, and various UT colleges. (MLH)

Since 1988, the Jose Valdes Summer Math Institutes have helped some 4,800 (mostly minority) students get a running start on their high school careers. The program consists of four main elements: intensive math instruction for students, training for teachers, parent education, and a student support program. (MLH)