Once a Marine, always a Marine. Once a Jaguar, always a Jaguar. These are words that Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Richard Delgado Jr. lives by.
Delgado was A&M-San Antonio’s executive director of military affairs and strategic initiatives for the division of student success and engagement. He also served for 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Delgado graduated in 2010 from A&M-San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. As a student, he was president of SGA from 2009-2010.
After 15 years as a student and student leader, Delgado’s last official day on campus was Nov. 12.
“The military taught me that a change in leadership is not always a negative thing,” Delgado said in an interview before a farewell ceremony Nov. 11 in Patriots’ Casa.
Delgado helped create a lot of the university’s traditions and major events throughout the past 15 years. He said he looks forward to attending these events as a former employee and alumnus.
Delagdo said he is unsure of the next step in his career path, but remains faithful that he will be put on the right path.
“Give it all up and follow me and I will lead the way is a scripture that I hold near to my heart and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do,” Delgado said.
As head of the office that serves veterans on campus, Delgado found pride and fulfillment in this position being a veteran himself. He said he believes that helping not only the service member but also helping the family is of utmost importance.
“The viewpoint that I have created here on campus is that it is not just about the person that puts on the uniform but rather it is about the entire family unit that serves,” Delgado said.
He said one of the most important values that A&M-San Antonio’s professors have is their understanding of a military family dynamic.
Valeria Delarna, an administrative associate and alum of A&M-San Antonio has worked closely with Delgado since 2017. Delarna graduated in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration accounting.
Leader, achiever and embracing are three words that Delarna uses to describe Delgado.
“Richard has been someone I can look up to as a mentor, leader, friend and someone I can talk to when I need advice,” Delarna said.
Delarna supported Delgado with several of the initiatives that he took over. She also hosted the farewell party for Delgado and his family.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done and the atmosphere you’ve created in the office,” Delarna said.
Delgado started off his career with A&M-San Antonio as a student worker in the office of the president. During his time as a student worker, he helped handle Bexar County’s delegations.
“It’s truly been an honor being able to say that I was a part of a lot of A&M-San Antonio’s firsts,” Delgado said. He also was the first jaguar mascot for A&M San Antonio from 2008-2009.
He was given the responsibility of Esperanza Hall in July of 2021 as the interim director of residential life. He said this position was a challenge because the hall was already full and they needed to come up with other options for the students.
However, he adapted and overcame the challenges.
“Being a Marine, you adapt and overcome and to me the base of the foundation of who I am is time management,” Delgado said.
Delgado said he hopes he has paved a better path for current and future military members and their families at A&M-San Antonio.
“This opportunity has been absolutely amazing and the campus will continue to see me continue to be very active on the alumni side because the success of this campus will always matter to me,” Delgado said.
