Texas A&M University-San Antonio on Wednesday announced President Cynthia Teniente-Matson has accepted a new role as president of San José State University. She will begin her new job in January.
John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, said a nationwide search to replace her will begin “immediately.” An interim president will be appointed to lead TAMU-SA until a permanent replacement is chosen by the system’s board of regents.
“Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson helped TAMU-SA grow into the strong regional university it has become and we are thankful for her service and wish her continued success at San José State,” Sharp said. “Her focus on serving South San Antonio will be her legacy here. We will begin a nationwide search immediately to find a dynamic leader worthy of the fastest growing campus in The Texas A&M University System.”
Teniente-Matson, a San Antonio native, assumed her role as president in 2015. She previously served as vice president for administration and chief financial officer at California State University, Fresno. She is the second president in TAMU-SA’s history.
Under her leadership, the university began offering lower-division courses and accepting first-year student applications in 2016. During her tenure, enrollment rose from just over 4,500 students when she took office to more than 7,200 students today.
Last year, TAMU-SA was one of six universities given the Seal of Excelencia certification for its focus on educating Latinos, and in 2016 was designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Teniente-Matson was heavily involved in strategic initiatives and partnerships that improved student learning and degree attainment, according to the statement announcing her departure.
She was also instrumental in the creation of the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement, the Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders and the President’s Commission on Equity and Inclusive Excellence.
“Dr. Teniente-Matson has been a forward-thinking leader who has excelled at identifying and implementing new and innovative ways to improve student achievement,” said California State University Trustee Christopher Steinhauser, chair of the SJSU search committee, in a statement.
“It is a bittersweet moment as I am extraordinarily proud of all the students, faculty, staff and alumni of TAMU-SA,” said Teniente-Matson in a statement.
“Together we have helped to further our trajectory with an eye towards inclusive excellence, academic program growth and support for the future of our community. Our campus is a better place because of the widespread philanthropic and public support we have received over the years. The future is bright at TAMU-SA,” she said.
Cynthia Teniente-Matson is an individual financial supporter of the San Antonio Report.
