By TJJD Communications —
For Luis Medina, leadership is about accountability, communication and making decisions that support both staff and youth.
Medina’s path to facility leadership began at Evins State Juvenile Correctional Facility. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in legal studies from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, formerly known as the University of Texas-Pan American. He began his career with Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) at Evins in May 2014 as a Juvenile Correctional Officer and went on to serve in a variety of operational roles, gaining experience across the facility.
In February 2024, Medina transitioned into an administrative leadership role as Manager of Operations, which ultimately prepared him to step into the superintendent role.
As superintendent, Medina believes he carries the ultimate responsibility for the actions and events that take place within the facility. His priorities revolve around ensuring compliance with agency policies and procedures, developing efficient processes, exercising sound judgment, and helping drive the agency’s vision. Just as importantly, he works to foster collaboration and prevent organizational silos through teamliness, open communication and professionalism.
At Evins, Medina has helped foster a culture of open-table communication where staff are encouraged to raise concerns, discuss challenges and work together toward solutions.
“We do not always agree on every matter, but we value and respect differing perspectives,” Medina said. “Ultimately, our focus remains on making decisions that are in the best interest of the facility and the youth we serve.”
His career path was not necessarily something he planned from the beginning. Like many people who enter the field, Medina initially viewed his position at Evins as a stepping stone. His criminal justice degree and the stability of the job were his primary motivations for joining the agency. Over time, however, the work became an opportunity to grow, lead and make a difference.
“The greatest accomplishment of my career is the opportunity to serve in my current role,” Medina said. “It allows me to reflect on everything I have endured and overcome, while reminding me daily to stay humble, grounded and committed to helping others.”
For Medina, one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership is having the opportunity to make meaningful decisions that influence outcomes for both staff and youth. He also values the relationships built through regular interaction with the people he serves and works alongside, particularly the opportunity to support their growth, development and success.
Since this interview, Medina has taken on a broader assignment as Acting Deputy Director of Secure Facilities for the next six months, where he will bring these strong values and leadership philosophy to facilities across the state. In this system-wide role, he will work closely with superintendents and other facility leaders to maintain strong oversight, consistent expectations and continued progress across TJJD’s secure facilities.
With Medina moving into the acting deputy director role, Jose Chavez will serve as Acting Superintendent at Evins State Juvenile Correctional Facility, with Medina’s continued assistance and support within his new role.