Vice President for Student Success

Cynthia L. Hernandez, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Success

Dr. Cynthia L. Hernandez currently serves as the Vice President for Student Success at Texas State University providing leadership for a comprehensive division comprised of over 400 staff housed in 12 departments including housing and residential life, dean of students, counseling services, health services, campus recreation, disability services, career services, LBJ student center, student involvement, student learning assistance center, academic success initiatives, and assessment, planning, and technology services.  

She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in educational administration with an emphasis in student affairs administration, and a doctorate in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University.

With over 25 years of progressive leadership experience, Dr. Hernandez focuses on enhancing student success and learning in the co-curricular through inclusive, student-centered programs, services, and initiatives and communicating the impact and value of student success work.  Prior to joining Texas State University, Dr. Hernandez served for 15 years in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at Texas A&M University as an Assistant and Associate Vice President and as an adjunct professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development.

Dr. Hernandez began her student success career in new student orientation, transition, and retention programming both at Northern Arizona University and at Texas A&M.  

Dr. Hernandez is an active member of professional organizations including NASPA, the association for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, where she serves on the Board of Directors and NODA, the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education, where she held the position of President. She served as the chair for NASPA’s AVP Initiatives Steering Committee and as a faculty member and Director for the NASPA AVP Institute.  

Dr. Hernandez’s areas of professional interests include the organization, leadership, and management of operating a division of student affairs; academic partnerships & collaborations; student learning in the co-curricular; comprehensive program reviews; strategic planning; threat assessment; Latinas in higher education administration; and higher education policy.