Texas Border Business
MCALLEN, Texas — Texas A&M University has named Pablo Javier Almaguer as director of the Texas A&M University Colonias Program, effective Sept. 14, 2026. The Colonias Program operates under the auspices of the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen and will now be headquartered in the Rio Grande Valley, while continuing to serve communities throughout the Texas-Mexico border region.
In his new role, Almaguer will oversee the Texas A&M Colonias Program, lead strategic initiatives and develop community partnerships aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents in colonia communities along the Texas-Mexico border through literacy, job training, health education and economic and community development.
Almaguer brings nearly three decades of experience serving South Texas and border communities. Most recently, he served as senior attorney fellow with the Economic Justice Initiative at the Texas A&M University School of Law, where he helped develop a Medical-Legal Partnership with DHR Health. Previously, he spent nearly 30 years with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) in leadership roles focused on community outreach, access to justice and services for underserved residents.
“Pablo has spent his career serving South Texas and building relationships across communities and institutions,” said Ernest Aliseda ’88, chief operating officer and associate vice president of the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. “He understands this region and the people we serve. I am confident he will build upon the tremendous foundation of the Colonias Program while finding new opportunities to strengthen and expand its impact.”
Almaguer succeeds longtime Colonias Program Director Oscar Muñoz, who is retiring after 31 years of service.
“Oscar’s extraordinary commitment helped shape the Colonias Program and its legacy of service,” Aliseda said. “We are grateful for everything he has given to Texas A&M and the communities we serve. Pablo is the right person to build upon that foundation and lead the program into its next chapter.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a program with such a strong history of service to South Texas and the entire Texas border,” said Almaguer. “I look forward to working alongside Colonias Program staff to strengthen strategic partnerships, build on the program’s legacy of service and advance meaningful opportunities that create lasting impact for the families and communities we serve.”
Almaguer earned his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his bachelor’s degree in political science from The University of Texas-Pan American. Drawing on his experience as an immigrant, legal expert and advocate for underserved communities, Almaguer is committed to advancing the Colonias Program’s mission, expanding its strategic impact and strengthening direct services for residents of colonias and rural communities.
Information source: Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen
