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By Dayna Reyes, Reporter
MCALLEN, Texas — The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) has announced two key leadership appointments to steer its operations, growth, and institutional strategy in the Rio Grande Valley.
Former Austin Mayor Will Wynn ’84 has been named the center’s new executive director, while longtime higher education administrator Cyndi Beltran has been appointed as HECM’s inaugural chief of staff.
Wynn assumed his new role on July 13, succeeding Rick Margo, who transitioned to serve as director for Texas A&M Health’s Rio Grande Valley Health Education and Outreach after leading the McAllen campus for several years.
A McAllen resident and Texas A&M alumnus, Wynn served two terms as Austin’s 50th mayor from 2003 to 2009. During his tenure, he guided Texas’ capital city through a period of rapid economic expansion, urban development, and regional collaboration. His background includes extensive experience in public service, real estate development, utility oversight, sustainability initiatives, and public-private partnerships.
In his new role, Wynn oversees day-to-day operations, strategic partnerships, and student support services at HECM.
“Will Wynn brings a rare combination of executive leadership, operational judgment, public-sector experience and deep loyalty to Texas A&M,” said Ernest Aliseda, chief operating officer and associate vice president of HECM. “He understands complex organizations, budgets, facilities, infrastructure and, most importantly, people. As a former student and McAllen resident, he also understands Texas A&M University’s mission to develop leaders of character and its commitment to expand opportunity for students in this region.”
Wynn earned a degree in environmental design cum laude from Texas A&M in 1984. His honors include being named Austinite of the Year by Austin Under Forty and receiving the Distinguished Alumnus award from Texas A&M’s College of Architecture.
“Texas A&M changed the course of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back by helping advance the university’s mission in McAllen,” Wynn said. “The Higher Education Center at McAllen represents opportunity and access to a transformative education through Texas A&M. I love this community and have great respect for the people of the Rio Grande Valley. I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff, university leadership and local partners to support the center’s continued growth and success.”
Building on this administrative expansion, HECM has also appointed Cyndi Beltran as chief of staff, effective Sept. 1.
Beltran previously served as executive assistant to Aliseda and now steps into the newly created role to act as a primary strategic partner and operational representative for the executive office. Her responsibilities include driving institutional priorities, overseeing executive events, and ensuring operational continuity across the campus leadership team.
Beltran brings 18 years of service to Texas A&M University, having previously spent a decade as program manager for the Bachelor and Master of Public Health degree programs at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. Prior to her career in higher education, she spent ten years working across four legal practices in the Rio Grande Valley.
“Cyndi has earned my confidence through her judgment, professionalism and commitment to service at Texas A&M University,” Aliseda said. “She understands our university, our campus needs and the people we serve. As we continue to grow, she will be an important partner in helping us advance our priorities and ensuring continuity across our leadership team.”
Beltran holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Texas–Pan American and earned the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) designation. She is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Hope Family Health Center and the Leadership McAllen Steering Board, as well as holding membership in the Edinburg Rotary Club and the Texas A&M Women Administrators Network.
“I am grateful for the confidence placed in me and excited for the opportunity to serve Texas A&M and the Higher Education Center at McAllen in this new capacity,” Beltran said. “I look forward to continue working with our leadership team, faculty and staff to expand the tremendous momentum and impact of Texas A&M throughout South Texas.”
Established in 2017, the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen provides Rio Grande Valley students with local access to Texas A&M degree programs, workforce development, and academic opportunities.
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