This is a sponsored interview in partnership with Tecovas.
Meet Montserrat Fuentes. A first-generation college graduate and now president of St. Edward’s University, Fuentes wants to open higher education to everyone. We caught up with Fuentes recently to learn about her job.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Who are you?
“My role involves having the opportunity to lead the university in all different areas, from the strategic planning and setting a vision for the institution, to academic development and community engagement, and ultimately, ensuring the success of our students.
Our students are not just a number or a face in the crowd. We celebrate who they are, their own identities, and we make sure that they don't get lost (and) that this is a place where we help them achieve their full potential.”
How did you get into that line of work?
“I was the first in my family that had the opportunity to attend college, and then I was recruited by the University of Chicago to continue my education here in the United States. So as a first generation immigrant, the opportunity that higher education presented to me was beyond anything that I could even imagine.
So that was a calling for me – the desire to be able to serve others, to open the doors of that world of possibilities through an education. I wanted to stay in higher education to bring those opportunities to others.”
What do you do on an average day?
“Part of my role requires the opportunity to engage with the broader Austin community – from collaborating with local leaders to discussing partnerships that benefit both the university and certainly the city.
But most importantly, what I always try to make an effort to do is make sure I make time for our students. So, whether it's attending an event, a game, a performance, or even being in the classroom teaching, or just stopping by to hear from them. Just never losing track that they are our reason for being.”
