HCC announces sole finalist, Dr. Cesar Maldonado, in Chancellor search
Apr 21, 2014
The HCC Board of Trustees is pleased to announce Cesar Maldonado, Ph.D., P.E., PMP, has been named the sole finalist to lead Houston Community College as its Chancellor. The institution conducted a nationwide search for the next leader of the institution by engaging a professional search firm and convening a diverse external group of 29 leaders, educators and students. Dr. Maldonado, who successfully transitioned his private industry management expertise into public higher education administration, becomes the next Chancellor of HCC.
The external search committee reviewed more than 35 applicants, before narrowing the list of candidates to interview. After the review and interview process, the external search committee recommended 4 finalists for the Board to consider, of which, Dr. Maldonado was one. Dr. Maldonado’s extensive background in the education, business and political sectors aligned the best with the HCC Board’s vision for the next Chancellor. Trustee Neeta Sane, HCC Board Chair stated, “The process to identify the ideal Chancellor for HCC has been thorough, inclusive and highly collaborative. We were searching for a leader to understand the complex institution that HCC is and to lead us to where our community needs us to be both today and into the future. Dr. Maldonado’s business acumen, academic pedigree and leadership skills are an ideal match for the institution.”
Dr. Maldonado is an accomplished engineer, civic and business leader, and higher education administrator. Since 2008, he has served as President of Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Harlingen. In 2011, he was also named Vice Chancellor for Institutional Effectiveness and Commercialization for the statewide TSTC System. Prior to that, he served in leadership roles in the fields of engineering and management in the process, construction, and manufacturing industries for many years. Dr. Maldonado brings a strong awareness of college and workforce readiness and is active in working with the state legislature on education initiatives regarding school finance and education in science, technology, engineering and math.
“I am honored to be selected as the sole finalist and humbled by the responsibility you have entrusted to me. HCC is not only a national leader in higher education, but also strategically placed to expand its role in forging new models for education and workforce development,” states Dr. Cesar Maldonado. “I understand both the business and academic challenges ahead and feel that my experience makes me well suited to address them with the leaders of our college and our community. I am eager to get to Houston to learn more about the opportunities that are ahead for our institution. Most of all, I cannot wait to meet our students, our faculty and become a Houstonian.”
Dr. Maldonado’s business experience includes strategic planning, project management, infrastructure design, industrial systems and software design. Dr. Maldonado holds Bachelor and Masters of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University, a Doctorate in Systems and Engineering Management from Texas Tech University, and is an alumnus of the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Cesar and his wife of 38 years, Liz, enjoy their children, Kristin, Marcus, and Laura and Jason Rocha, and grandchildren, Julianne and William.
Under his leadership, TSTC significantly improved its graduation rate, increased enrollment and maintained fiscal strength. He also established collaborations with eight Texas universities to promote seamless transitions and expand learning opportunities for students. Dr. Maldonado also initiated seven new associate of science degrees and two new technology programs, and introduced multiple green initiatives on the TSTC campus.
On a professional level, Dr. Maldonado has worked with the state legislature on education initiatives regarding school finance and science, technical, engineering and math education.
In addition to his demonstrated business acumen, he led legislative efforts to create high school/college dual enrollment opportunities in Texas, and has served as a board member (twice as president) of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (TX) since 2003. He served as the interim Chairman of the Border Governors Conference on Science and Technology, where he worked to foster bi-national research and technology exchange with scientists across the U.S. and Mexico border. He was also appointed by the governor to serve as a Regent of the Texas State Technical College System.
In addition, Dr. Maldonado has held many public positions, serving as Chairman of the Harlingen Utility Board, a member of the Texas P-16 Council, Harlingen Civil Service Commission, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, Cameron County Workforce Development Board, Director of Valley International Airport, Harlingen Industrial Foundation, and Harlingen Area Education Foundation.