Cindy Mata-Vasquez, a Rio Grande Valley resident with 15 years of experience in higher education, has been named the new director of the OLLU-RGV campus.

Mata-Vasquez most recently served as Director for Student Activities at the University of Texas-RGV for the past seven years. She begins her new position on July 20.

“I am looking forward to highlighting the programs and services the university and satellite campus have to offer to residents of the Rio Grande Valley,” Mata-Vasquez said. “Having grown up in the area, it excites me to be able to provide additional avenues for folks to have options to continue their education and give back, right here in the region.” 

The oldest of three siblings, Mata-Vasquez moved from Queretaro, Mexico, to the Rio Grande Valley with her family at the age of six. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Texas-Pan American (now UT-RGV) in 2004, a Master of Arts in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005 and an MBA from UT-RGV in 2020.  

Prior to working at UT-RGV, Mata-Vasquez served as Director of Special Programs at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen. She is eager to assume her new position.

“One of my first goals is to work closely with the RGV team and find out how my role can help support them and their professional goals,” she said. “I am also looking forward to connecting with local chambers of commerce and city leaders to find out how OLLU can be visible in their communities. Communication and visibility will be key to accomplish these goals as well as creating partnerships with each entity.”