Biography

Dr. Teniente-Matson. Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson
President, San José State University

Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson serves as the 31st president of San José State University (SJSU), assuming the role in January ‘23. As an internationally recognized Latina leader with extensive executive experience across multiple state university systems, President 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.

Excellence in Student Success, Academic Excellence and National Recognition

In 2025, the U.S. Department of Education named SJSU one of six winners of the inaugural juried Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, for its accomplishments in graduating historically underserved students and fostering economic mobility.
SJSU has risen in stature with a #4 ranking among public universities in The Wall Street Journal’s Best Colleges list, a remarkable 157-spot jump due to academic excellence and career readiness.
In 2025, SJSU earned R2 research designation reflecting growth in research expenditures (exceeding $83 million in FY23) and doctoral program expansion.
Growth in interdisciplinary AI research initiatives (Nvidia, Adobe, Google) positioning SJSU as a leader in technology, health sciences, and sustainability as Silicon Valley’s public university.
Spartan Village on the Paseo (opened 2024) housing ~700 students in a living-learning environment in downtown San José, with affordable units and community engagement.
The Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB), the first new academic building in over 30 years.
The Spartan Athletics Center, at CEFCU Stadium, elevates athletic training and sports medicine while securing key industry partnerships, including a naming-rights sponsorship by Habbas Law.
SJSU welcomed its largest freshman class in history in 2024 and 2025, contributing to a 5% overall enrollment increase, surpassing system-wide targets.
Upward growth in fundraising from $17.6M (06/23) to $25.1M (07/24) a 42.5% increase and a record-breaking Day of Giving (02/’24) at $1,818,262, the largest in CSU history.

Board Service and International Appointments

Board appointments on the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Joint Venture Silicon Valley, and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, leveraging industry connections to advance workforce readiness initiatives. Higher Education Board Member for Campus Compact, NCHEMS and Joint appointment: American Academic Leadership Institute and Academic Search.
Serving on the Bay Area Host Committee for the 2026 NFL Superbowl and the 2026 World Cup Games in the Bay Area, in support and alignment with the City of San Jose and Spartan Athletics.
Member Mountain West Conference.

Commissioner, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and the U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON) appointed by the White House Office of Presidential Personnel.

Professional Background and Leadership

Prior to leading SJSU, Dr. 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 (HSI) 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.

Past Board Leadership

Past Board Chair and Treasurer American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Past Board Member, American Council on Education (ACE)
Leadership roles with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), Higher Education Resource Services (HERS), and Girl Scouts USA National Board
Dr. Teniente-Matson held Mayoral appointments including Board President of the 14-member SA Tricentennial (300) Commission responsible for the 2018 year-long international celebrations, governance, and operations; Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women; and the Mayor’s Education and Workforce Leadership Task Force tasked with co-creating a 1/8 sales tax initiative, and the County and City Commission on Domestic Violence.

Selected Awards and Recognition

Dr. Teniente-Matson has been recognized worldwide and nationally for her leadership and service. In 2020, she was awarded the prestigious Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership’s 2020 US-Japan Public Intellectual.

Woman of Influence, Silicon Valley Business Journal. June 2024
Si Se Puede, Visionary Leader, Chavez Family Vision Foundation. March 2024
Power 100 Innovators Silicon Valley Business Journal. February 2023 and February 2024
Alumni of Achievement Award University of Alaska, Anchorage. April 2021
Executive Award for Large Business Greater Chamber of Commerce San Antonio. September 2021
Women’s Hall of Fame. February 2021
Top 20 Thought Leaders in Change and Innovation, by Network for Change and Continuous Innovation’s (NCCI) Innovation. April 2019
Honorary Grand Marshal San Antonio Cesar Chavez March. March 2019
Making a Mark on the World Innovation Award, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber. October 2017
Comet Award from the SA Women’s Chamber Foundation. November 2018
Civil Leader Award from La Prensa Foundation. October 2018
Women’s Leadership Award from the SA Business Journal. August 2017
CPS Energy Hope Award from the Hispanic Organization for Public Employees. 2016
National Professional Development Award, NACUBO Washington D.C. July 2015
Top 10 Professional Woman of the Year Award Marjaree Mason Center. Fresno, CA 2014
The Top 40 under 40 from the Alaska Journal of Commerce. Fall 2002

Dr. Teniente-Matson holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, Fresno, an MBA from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a BBA in Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.