Message from the President

Dear Members of the University Community: 

Texas A&M University-San Antonio is pleased to announce Richard P. Ortega, Ed.D., as Interim Vice President for University Advancement. Dr. Ortega, who served Holy Names University as the Vice President for University Advancement for the last four years, will begin his new role at A&M-SA on May 15, 2016.

Dr. Ortega has over 20 years of experience in leading advancement offices in higher education settings, which includes the responsibilities of development (fundraising), marketing, and alumni affairs. He has also provided significant service to the advancement profession through the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).  Woven throughout his professional career is an abiding commitment to ensuring success for multicultural populations in rigorous academic programs.

At Holy Names University, he lead the "Ever Forward" sesquicentennial campaign. Previously, Dr. Ortega served as Vice President for Advancement at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, where he planned, implemented, and successfully completed its centennial comprehensive campaign, "Learn, Lead, Serve."

Contributions to the advancement profession include serving on the CASE Commission on Philanthropy.  He has served as Chair-Elect and various other positions on the Board of Directors for CASE District IV (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mexico). He has made various presentations at professional conferences on major gift fundraising.   

Dr. Ortega has an outstanding track record in fundraising, service to the fundraising profession and in leading efforts to expand opportunities for students in underserved communities. This includes serving as President of the Board of New Mexico Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement, Inc., a non-profit corporation whose mission is to improve the preparation of high school students statewide to enter science and engineering majors.

Dr. Ortega is not a stranger to San Antonio or Texas. He had assisted the University of at Texas San Antonio as the lead fundraiser for their Biotechnology Initiative, and the University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston) and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as Director of Development for their Schools of Medicine. 

His educational background includes a Doctor of Education degree, with a focus on Educational Leadership, from the University of New Mexico. 

I am delighted that we were able to recruit the high-caliber talent and experience that Dr. Ortega brings to our University. He has an abundance of experience and leadership within the higher education community, that will guide the growing needs of our diverse student body.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ortega to our University and a special thank you to the search committee for their service in this important selection!

Sincerely,

Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President
Professor of Educational Administration
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224