University President Accepts New Position

SAN ANTONIO — Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio, has accepted the position of president of San José State University in San José, California. She will conclude her tenure at A&M-San Antonio and begin her new role in January. 

“Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson helped Texas A&M University-San Antonio 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,” said John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “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.” 

Dr. Teniente-Matson, who has served as the president of A&M-San Antonio since 2015, is the second president of the University. Under her leadership, the institution accomplished its downward expansion from an upper division to a comprehensive master’s university in 2016, bolstering enrollment from just over 4,500 in 2015 to more than 7,200 students today. The University achieved the U.S. Department of Education Hispanic Serving Institution designation in 2016 and received the Seal of Excelencia certification in 2021. 

During her tenure, Dr. Teniente-Matson has led a variety of strategic initiatives and partnerships to improve and enhance student learning and degree attainment and to advance the University, including the creation of the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement, Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders, President’s Commission on Equity and Inclusive Excellence, Institute for Water Resources Science and Technology, Cyber Engineering Technology/Cyber Security Research Center, the Institute for Autism and Related Disorders, and the ASPIRE partnership leveraging the power of collective impact for seven South Bexar County ISDs, to name a few. 

“It is a bittersweet moment as I am extraordinarily proud of all the students, faculty, staff and alumni of A&M-San Antonio,” Dr. Teniente-Matson reflected. “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 A&M-San Antonio.” 

An interim president will be appointed to lead the University until such time as a permanent president is identified. 

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About Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Established as a stand-alone university in 2009, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a comprehensive four-year public university that reflects the culturally diverse, heritage-rich community it serves. Situated on nearly 700 acres in South San Antonio, the University offers 37 undergraduate degrees and 19 graduate degrees to more than 7,200 students. A&M-San Antonio is home to the Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders and the Cyber Engineering Technology/Cyber Security Research Center. The University holds the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation and is one of only 30 higher education institutions in the U.S. to have received the Seal of Excelencia certification from Excelencia in Education for its support of Latino student success. More than 77 percent of A&M-SA students identify as Hispanic, and approximately 60 percent are the first in their family to attend college. A&M-San Antonio is a military-embracing institution; in 2020, Military Times ranked the University No. 35 in the nation for “Best for Vets: Colleges.” Visit tamusa.edu for more information. #onamission