Cynthia Teniente-Matson

Cynthia Teniente-Matson has served as the 31st president of San José State University (SJSU) since January 2023. As an internationally recognized Latina leader with extensive executive experience across multiple state university systems, Teniente-Matson is a champion for student success, institutional innovation, and industry partnerships that drive economic mobility. Her leadership at SJSU has been marked by strategic growth, national recognition, and facilities initiatives, repositioning the university as a premier public urban research institution. Prior to leading SJSU, Teniente-Matson was president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio (2015–2023), where she spearheaded its transformation into a comprehensive master’s institution, secured the Hispanic-serving institution designation, and established the Seal of Excelencia for Latino student success. Her tenure included developing research institutes, cybersecurity programs, and economic development initiatives. Prior, she served as vice president for administration and chief financial officer at California State University, Fresno (2004–2015), where she managed enterprise-wide operations, auxiliaries, fiscal strategy, and institutional risk management.