Mary Hernandez, UTSA’s interim vice president for business affairs and senior associate vice president for administration and operations, has been honored in the San Antonio Business Journal’s 2024 Women’s Leadership Awards. This recognition highlights women whose visionary leadership is shaping the future of San Antonio’s business and educational spheres.
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy praised Hernandez, stating, “This award reflects the profound impact of Mary’s leadership on our campus, particularly her efforts in enhancing institutional operations and enriching the campus experience. Her pivotal role during the pandemic and her ongoing innovations continue to advance services for all Roadrunners.”
With over 25 years in higher education, Hernandez has been a cornerstone in UTSA’s administrative development, overseeing key departments such as People Excellence, Campus Services, and Risk and Emergency Management. Her commitment to operational excellence has been evident throughout her tenure.
Before joining UTSA, Hernandez served as chief of staff and board liaison at Texas Southmost College, where she optimized institutional operations. Earlier, at Texas State Technical College, she led significant business process improvements, standardizing procurement systems across multiple campuses.
At UTSA, Hernandez has led several strategic initiatives, including forming the Recovery Operations team to ensure campus safety during the pandemic and co-chairing the Campus Experience Task Force. Her efforts to enhance campus services include the launch of The Little Runner, a free e-shuttle service for downtown locations, and the development of an Employee Success Center to support UTSA staff.
Hernandez’s leadership extends beyond UTSA through her active involvement in professional organizations, including the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Leadership Academy.
This year’s Women’s Leadership Awards, which celebrate achievements across various fields, were presented at a luncheon at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio earlier this month.
