Joseph M. Ganakos, Director of Forensics
Joe Ganakos earned his B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL. Joe served as Interim Head Coach/Marks Graduate Assistant of the UWF Forensics Team in 1998, assuming the role of Head Coach in 1999 and eventually Director of Forensics in 2001. During his time at UWF, the program ranked nationally in Individual Events and various forms of Debate, including IPDA, as well as having state and national titles for his individual competitors while amassing over 700 awards and honors.
In 2006, Joe joined the faculty at Lee College in Baytown, TX. Upon his move to Texas, Joe was elected to the Governing Board of the IPDA, and hosted the IPDA National Championship & Convention in 2007 on the Lee College campus. Upon completing his term as a member of the Governing Board, Joe was appointed as Communications Director for the IPDA in 2010. Joe was reelected to the IPDA Governing Board in 2014.
Joe helped bring intercollegiate debate back to Lee College after a lengthy hiatus. Beginning with a core of six debaters, Joe has helped grow the team to nearly 20, helping establish a strong foundation for the future of the Joseph D. Mendoza Debate Society at Lee College for years to come. Since 2013, Lee College has set records for season points by a Community College in the IPDA, as well as becoming the first, and only, community college to win the prestigious James Madison Cup. In 2016, Joe was named IPDA "Bennett Strange Coach of the Year" by his peers at the 2016 IPDA National Championship Tournament & Convention and was named the 2016/2017 IPDA Governing Board Chairman.
In 2006, Joe joined the faculty at Lee College in Baytown, TX. Upon his move to Texas, Joe was elected to the Governing Board of the IPDA, and hosted the IPDA National Championship & Convention in 2007 on the Lee College campus. Upon completing his term as a member of the Governing Board, Joe was appointed as Communications Director for the IPDA in 2010. Joe was reelected to the IPDA Governing Board in 2014.
Joe helped bring intercollegiate debate back to Lee College after a lengthy hiatus. Beginning with a core of six debaters, Joe has helped grow the team to nearly 20, helping establish a strong foundation for the future of the Joseph D. Mendoza Debate Society at Lee College for years to come. Since 2013, Lee College has set records for season points by a Community College in the IPDA, as well as becoming the first, and only, community college to win the prestigious James Madison Cup. In 2016, Joe was named IPDA "Bennett Strange Coach of the Year" by his peers at the 2016 IPDA National Championship Tournament & Convention and was named the 2016/2017 IPDA Governing Board Chairman.
Rigoberto Ruiz, Assistant Debate Coach
Rigo Ruiz earned his B.A. in Psychology at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and is completing his M.A. in Psychology at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Rigo is an alumnus of the Mendoza Debate Society at Lee College, joining the team in 2014 and being named Captain in 2015. His undergraduate debate career included multiple IPDA Championships, including being the 2015/2016 Team Debate National Champion and the 2017/2018 Team Debate Speaking National Champion.
Rigo currently serves as both the Assistant Coach for the Mendoza Debate Society as well as a Grant Manager in Lee College's Office of Advancement.
Rigo currently serves as both the Assistant Coach for the Mendoza Debate Society as well as a Grant Manager in Lee College's Office of Advancement.
