Alan Llavore | Office of Strategic Communication | 909-537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
On May 24, a grand opening ceremony took place for The Tech Steam Center, the second technology education center opened by Kids That Code Inc., which is spearheaded by CSUSB MBA alumni, Jose Navarrete Cruz and Alfonso Anaya Jr. The new center, located in Temecula, offers a place for young minds to flourish and embrace the wonders of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education.
In the words of Navarrete Cruz and Anaya, "Today, we inaugurate more than a center; we inaugurate a legacy — a legacy of empowerment, enlightenment and excellence."
At the heart of The Tech Steam Center lies a commitment to nurturing curiosity, fostering creativity and instilling a lifelong love for learning. Through hands-on workshops, engaging activities and collaborative projects, students are encouraged to explore the intersections of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, unlocking their innate potential in the process.
The Tech Steam Center, with locations in Riverside and now Temecula, is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Navarrete Cruz and Anaya. Their shared passion for education and entrepreneurship paved the way for the inception of Kids That Code Inc., a pioneering venture aimed at introducing children of all ages to computer programming, game development, website creation and electronics. Both founders are not only alumni but also faculty members at CSUSB’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration (JHBC).
Their entrepreneurial journey traces back to their time as graduate students at JHBC, where Navarrete Cruz and Anaya embarked on a mission to equip future generations with essential skills for the digital age. Under the auspices of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE), they laid the foundation for Kids That Code Inc.
The grand opening event was attended by esteemed guests, many of whom played instrumental roles in supporting Kids That Code Inc. from its inception. Attendees included California State Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez; Temecula Mayor James “Stew” Stewart; Senator Kelly Seyarto; Mike Stull, director of IECE and CSUSB’s School of Entrepreneurship; JHBC Dean Tomás Gomez-Arias; and CSUSB MBA Director Ernie Silvers.