COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier was named sole finalist for the presidency at Texas A&M University-San Antonio today by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Ferrier has served as interim president since last summer. Under state law, formal offering of the job can be made following a mandatory 21-day waiting period.

“After a long search for a great president to lead this new university, we realized we already had the right person in place,” said Morris E. Foster, chairman of the Board of Regents. “Dr. Ferrier has long been a champion for higher education and I know her experience and enthusiasm will help make A&M-San Antonio a premiere institution for South Texas.”

“I can’t think of a better leader for the San Antonio campus than Dr. Ferrier,” said Michael D. McKinney, chancellor of the A&M System. “She has led this university through its transition from system center to independence, and I know she’s the right leader to see that A&M-San Antonio reaches its full potential.”

Ferrier began her career at A&M-San Antonio in April 2008 as executive director when the university was operating as a system center. Prior to her career with A&M-San Antonio, Ferrier held a number of national education appointments. In 2002, under President George W. Bush, she directed the Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students in the United States Department of Education. She rose first to deputy undersecretary and then to assistant deputy secretary, serving as the principal adviser to the secretary of education on all matters pertaining to limited-English proficient students and Hispanics in general.

Ferrier also advised businesses and organizations with an interest in building or expanding education partnerships as a liaison between chambers of commerce across the nation and the Department of Education.

She currently serves on the board of directors for many organizations including Southwest Independent School District Foundation, KLRN-TV Public Television, Southwest General Hospital, and the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

Ferrier earned a Bachelor of Arts in speech and a Master of Education in guidance and counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a Doctorate of Educational Administration from Texas A&M University.

The A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $3.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates more than 115,000 students and makes more than 15 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. Externally funded research expenditures exceed more than $676 million and help drive the state’s economy.

Texas A&M University- San Antonio
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