A Lifelong Advocate of STEM: Jordan’s Story

Jordan Tachibana participated in FlexFactor^® twice during high school in 2016 and 2017, including the pilot program at Lincoln High School through her AP Language class and again through her business class. She enjoyed the pitch aspect of the competition, especially thinking through the marketing of a new product. 

A memory that stands out to her from her time in FlexFactor includes meeting with the members of the panel that judged the competition, including NextFlex’s Executive Director at the time, Dr. Malcolm Thompson, for an hour afterwards to talk through her team’s idea and how it could become a real product. At only sixteen, Jordan was made to feel as though her ideas for solving problems were important and worth pursuing. 

After graduating from high school, Jordan kept in touch with NextFlex’s former EWD Director Emily McGrath. Emily became a mentor figure for her as she attended college, majoring in political science and focusing on law and advocacy. She later interned for the EWD department in December 2019 and started working as a project coordinator for the team in March 2020, focusing on adapting FlexFactor to a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

After her time at NextFlex, Jordan worked as an intern on Capitol Hill in DC, and later as a congressional aide and district scheduler for Ro Khanna (CA-17), notably a co-sponsor of the Chips and Science Act. Throughout her time in this role, she maintained her interest in STEM, the semiconductor industry, and domestic manufacturing that was sparked by her participation in FlexFactor. 

“FlexFactor is one of the most unique programs out there- it centers around investing and engaging with students to show them their potential in various areas- engineering, marketing, and entrepreneurship. FlexFactor gave me a launchpad in both my academic and professional careers; I learned how to be a strong presenter and how to communicate information efficiently and effectively leading to my success at SCU and later as a Congressional staffer.” 

In the spring of 2024, Jordan presented a certificate of special congressional recognition to NextFlex’s founding Executive Director Dr. Malcolm Thompson during NextFlex’s Innovation Days in recognition of his retirement after decades of visionary leadership, widespread impact, and unwavering commitment to innovation in Silicon Valley (pictured at right with Dr. Scott Miller – left, and Dr. Art Wall – right). She also participated in the Education and Workforce Development Working Group and its K-12 education subgroup. 

Jordan currently volunteers as a board member of the Japanese American Museum of San Jose and is also a member of the Japanese American Citizens League.

Learn more about how you can help other students like Jordan by supporting programs like FlexFactor.