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Email: Marilu.Reyna@tamusa.tamus.edu or brandon.oliver@tamusa.tamus.edu
Phone: (210) 326-0003 or (210) 784-1100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 5, 2014
SAN ANTONIO – Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier, inaugural president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio, is taking on an exciting new role at the helm of a newly created division at the A&M System as the Director of Development and Mexico Relations. In this position, she will create, build, and oversee relations with Mexico for all 11 universities of the A&M System and the 7 System Agencies.
Ferrier, who has served as president of Texas A&M-San Antonio since February 2010 and executive director of the System Center for two years prior, will remain president of A&M-San Antonio until December 31, 2014. She will assume her new role in January 2015.
“We are all very excited that Dr. Ferrier accepted this new position. She has done such a wonderful job with Texas A&M-San Antonio and I am certain that she will bring the same dedication and innovation to building relations with Mexico for the entire A&M System,” said Elaine Mendoza, member of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
Since she joined A&M-San Antonio, Ferrier has led the University’s phenomenal growth of 216% since 2008 to fall 2013. For the last five years, A&M-San Antonio has been the fastest growing university in Texas. Ferrier also managed the new building construction on the 694 acre Main Campus which includes the Senator Frank L. Madla Building, the Central Academic Building, auditorium, and the Patriots’ Casa.
“Maria has done an outstanding job of developing the school into one of the fastest growing universities in the state. In addition, she has created a strong relationship between TAMU-SA and the local community. I wish her continued success in her new role and know she will continue to be a tremendous asset to the Texas A&M University System,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor, John Sharp.
Ferrier will be recognized for generations to come for developing the vision and mission of the University from the core values, excellence, service, integrity and commitment, to creating the military embracing community. In addition, during her years at A&M-SA, she developed the “Ready from Day One” program for teacher preparation, acquired the Educational & Cultural Arts Center, previously the Smithsonian-affiliated Museo Alameda, and oversaw the University’s designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security and Information Assurance by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Under Ferrier’s guidance, A&M-San Antonio created the “Affordable Degree” at a cost around $10,000 in Information Security, led by the University’s Center for Information Technology and Cyber Security.
Prior to her career with A&M-San Antonio, Ferrier held a number of national education appointments. On March 11, 2002, President George W. Bush named Ferrier to direct the Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students in the U.S. Department of Education. During her tenure at the Department of Education, she rose first to deputy undersecretary before becoming assistant deputy secretary. Ferrier served as the principal advisor to the secretary of education on all matters pertaining to students of limited English proficiency and Hispanic students in general. In addition to developing policy and guidance for the field, she oversaw a staff of 50 professionals and a budget of approximately $679 million.
As a spokesperson for the secretary and the department, Ferrier gave hundreds of speeches, media interviews, and presented awards to deserving schools and school districts across the country. She previously directed Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs, appointed by Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander, and was named to the Commission on National and Community Service by President George H. W. Bush in 1991.
Ferrier earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and a Master of Education in Guidance & Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a doctorate in education administration from Texas A&M University. She currently serves on the board of directors for a variety of organizations, including the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, the San Antonio Humane Society, the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce, the Crypto-Jewish Center, the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind Leadership Advisory Council, the Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio, the Plaza Club San Antonio, United Way of San Antonio and KLRN-TV Public Television. She is a member of the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC) and serves on the HACU Hispanic-Serving School Districts/Hispanic-Serving Institutions Advisory Council.
“As I step into a new role for the A&M System, I am reminded once more of how much a great university was needed in the heart of the south side of San Antonio. I am grateful to those with vision who came before me both at the system and in the community. I know that when I came into this position, I was standing on the shoulders of giants, men and women with the tenacity to make that vision reality.
“Today, A&M-SA stands to become the second largest university in the A&M System and one of the most beautiful—worthy of our students and the A&M name.
“I have been extremely honored and blessed to serve as its inaugural president. I’ve had the privilege of working with dedicated professionals and have learned much from them during my tenure. Being part of the foundation of a new university that is also part of an extraordinary System with deep roots in Texas and the world, was more than I could have ever imagined. I often tell people that I never thought a poor Mexican girl that grew up in a Westside Barrio of San Antonio would be president of a university one day, but education and faith were the keys that have brought me to where I am today,” Ferrier said.
“I have made many friends among the faculty, staff, students, and alumni and I deeply admire Texas A&M-San Antonio and its mission. I will miss shaking the hand of each of our graduates when they cross the stage at our commencement ceremonies, but I leave knowing that in this place, that I love so dearly, their dreams became reality, and my new position will allow me to make many more opportunities for the A&M System family.”
The A&M University System will conduct a formal national search for a new president to step in after Ferrier departs for her new position.
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