Education has always been more than a goal for Conrado Palacios III—it is the foundation upon which he hopes to build a lifetime of service, innovation, and leadership.
The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation is proud to recognize Conrado as a 2026 CPOF Scholarship recipient.
This fall, Conrado will attend Arizona State University, where he plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science, with the long-term goal of earning his master’s degree.
An exceptional student, Conrado graduated third in his class of 170 students, earning a 3.92 high school GPA while also completing coursework through Midland College, where he achieved a 3.94 GPA. His academic accomplishments reflect years of discipline, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The son of Major Conrado Palacios Jr., who has served the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for more than 20 years at the Lynaugh Unit in Fort Stockton, Conrado understands the value of hard work and serving others.
Those values are evident throughout his life. Since the age of 10, Conrado has faithfully served his church as an altar server, volunteering not only during weekly Mass but also for weddings, funerals, and other special services. He has also maintained steady employment since he was 15 years old, learning responsibility and accountability while preparing for his future.
“Leadership does not always require a title—sometimes it is shown through actions, consistency, and integrity.”
Conrado believes education is about much more than earning a degree. He sees it as an opportunity to develop the knowledge, critical thinking, and character needed to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. His dream is not only to build a successful career as an engineer, but also to create opportunities for future generations through service, mentorship, and innovation.
The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation is honored to invest in students like Conrado—young leaders whose dedication to education, faith, family, and community reflects the very best of the correctional family.
Congratulations, Conrado! We look forward to watching you build a future defined by excellence, integrity, and service.