(HARLINGEN) – From a first-generation college student and first-generation Mexican immigrant rising from poverty to now Texas State Technical College’s recently announced Interim Provost, Cledia Hernandez feels blessed to be in a leadership position that will impact generations, one life at a time.

“I’m excited to follow in the footsteps of leaders that came before me,” said Hernandez. “I always hoped one day I’d be in their shoes and become the leader of an institution that impacts so many and so much.”

The Brownsville native, who is also TSTC’s Associate Vice President of Workforce Development, has worked in higher education for nearly two decades, five of those years have been at TSTC.

Her stint in workforce development and higher education began at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College (UTB/TSC), now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, when she accepted a work study position with the university’s Department of Continuing Education.

“It all started with a work study job,” she said. “I can personally relate to the students I serve and although the road is never easy, perseverance can make dreams happen.”

Hernandez earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from UTB/TSC in 2005 and a master’s degree in Leadership in Higher Education in 2014 from Northcentral University, all while working 40-plus hours a week to pay for her education.

Before arriving as the associate vice president for Workforce Development at TSTC in 2013, Hernandez had already served as a secretary, coordinator, program director and director for continuing education at UTB/TSC.

“I worked closely with TSTC while at UTB and immediately saw the value a technical education has for families and the industry,” said Hernandez. “So I decided to take the leap and accept my new position at TSTC to create new opportunities for students and help fill the skills gap in the state.”

As the new interim provost, Hernandez will provide regional leadership to South Texas and continue to build relationships with community and industry partners.

“As interim provost, my goal is to continue building stronger connections between TSTC and industry so that as a technical institution we can advance our programs, technologies and training to ensure that our students are knowledgeable in the latest, trending technologies,” she stated.

Vice Chancellor and Chief Integration Officer Rick Herrera, who has served as Interim Provost for the last six months, will be handing over the reins to Hernandez and said that a provost’s most notable role is how he/she  represents and addresses the needs of the communities they serve, and he has no doubt she will be successful.

“Mrs. Hernandez brings nearly 20 years of experience in higher education in the area of workforce development,” he said. “She has an impressive amount of community and volunteer service through numerous local boards and organizations.”

Herrera went on to add, “Mrs. Hernandez is well respected by the campus community and has wasted no time in taking charge. Under her leadership, I know the campus will not only continue to prosper, but also grow.”

Hernandez, in response, has a message for TSTC faculty and staff and students, respectively.

“We all have a vital role in transforming lives and launching careers,” she said. “Every TSTC employee on this campus is shaping individual lives and everything done at this college is one step toward impacting families, our community and the state.  And to our students, I’ve walked in your shoes. I understand the sacrifice that is necessary to make dreams a reality,” said Hernandez. “There is light at the end of the tunnel and TSTC is here to help you reach your goals in any way possible.”

Hernandez added that TSTC is truly a great place to work because of the teamwork that happens every day to make things possible.

In the coming months, Hernandez will be out in the community meeting with local leaders and elected officials as she takes on her new role.