Hello Jaguars!
Yesterday, I was honored by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents with the confirmation of my appointment as President of Texas A&M University-San Antonio and Professor of Educational Administration. As I celebrate my first 30 days here at A&M-SA, I want to thank all of you for the big Texas welcome! I truly love being back in San Antonio, especially on this beautiful campus in the heart of San Antonio’s South Side that is only a few miles away from my childhood home. It is indeed true what they say: you never forget your roots!
The past month has been spent on a “community-wide listening tour,” hearing from the many brilliant faculty, committed staff, thoughtful students and encouraging members of the San Antonio community that help make A&M-San Antonio a beloved institution. I want to thank the A&M System Board of Regents, Chancellor Sharp and all of you for giving me this amazing opportunity to lead A&M-San Antonio.
As the 84th Texas Legislative Session is underway, it has been one of my immediate priorities to advance our funding requests. I have already initiated conversations to help guide resource planning for the downward expansion and requisite program development. I am committed to a process of shared governance as we thoughtfully plan for new course offerings, academic program expansion and specialty areas of applied research. I envision A&M-San Antonio will become a national model for student success. To do so, so we must carefully engage in a consultative process for enrollment management and student academic achievement and degree attainment.
Furthermore, I look forward to securing the addition of new facilities that will connect the entire Jaguar family on the Main Campus. I am asking you to be agile and audacious in your thinking, the possibilities are boundless! We have lofty ambitions and an aggressive growth agenda; however I am committed to our mission to build a college-going culture in South San Antonio, which empowers students in their pursuit of discovery and lifelong learning.
The University’s five-year (2011-2015) Strategic Plan is now in its final academic year. It is apparent your inspiration and dedication helped guide the pioneering journey which began in 2011. In the coming months, we will engage in a campus-wide process to update the Strategic Plan that will guide us through the next period of transformative growth.
As you may have heard me announce, I wholeheartedly encourage you to engage with me through social media, email or stop by for an in-person conversation. I value a welcoming inclusive University community with a diversity of thoughts. I ask you to join me as we reimagine and reset our future together and take Texas A&M University-San Antonio to the next generation of success.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson
President
Permission to post from the Office of the University President. Contact Marilu Reyna, associate vice president for university communications and special projects, at (210) 784-1101 or Marilu.Reyna@tamusa.tamus.edu
