Texas Border Business
For nearly 15 years, Hector Cerda has dedicated his career and life to higher education as the coordinator of Enrollment Services at South Texas College, and most recently, his service to STC and the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO) was recognized with a TACRAO President’s Award.
The President’s Award celebrates the outstanding commitment of its members, like Cerda, for exceptional service, leadership and discipline to overcome challenges, highlighting dedication within the volunteer-driven higher education body and recognizing those who embody the organization’s spirit.
“I have been an active member of TACRAO for many years, and receiving this award was completely unexpected and a pleasant surprise,” said Cerda. “When I started hearing the description of the recipient, I told myself, ‘This person sounds familiar.’ It turns out it was me.”
Cerda was presented with the award by the organization’s President Chris Reed, who is also the associate vice president and chief enrollment officer for Enrollment Management at Texas A&M University, during the annual TACRAO conference and President’s Dinner held in El Paso.
“When it came to identifying a candidate for the TACRAO President’s Award, Hector’s name was first to arise,” said Reed. “Hosting the first summer meeting outside of Austin in decades was a daunting task, but Hector’s willingness to step in and always ask how he could do more was a component of its success. This award recognizes his exemplary service.”
Cerda’s supervisor Cynthia Blanco, STC dean of Enrollment Systems and Registrar, said this award reflects his unwavering commitment and outstanding contributions to TACRAO.
Cerda currently serves as co-chair of the TACRAO Summer Meeting Committee and played a vital role in planning and organizing the organization’s 2025 Summer Meeting held in College Station.
“His leadership and attention to detail were instrumental in the success of the 2025 summer meeting, from setting the agenda to coordinating presenters from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, National Student Clearinghouse, ACT and other leaders from institutions across the state,” said Blanco. “Cerda goes above and beyond in all that he does for TACRAO and our students at STC. His dedication to higher education comes from the heart.”
Through TACRAO, Cerda has also led statewide presentations on topics such as serving undocumented students, staff development and best-practice transfer processes that have been deemed successful among public colleges and universities and is a board member of the Texas Common Course Numbering System, which aids students in the transfer of general academic courses.
Growing up, Cerda said the value of a higher education was always pushed by his parents. His mother didn’t finish high school, and his father didn’t finish college. So, Cerda, as a first-generation college graduate, made it his goal to finish college.
On a prestigious scholarship, Cerda moved to Ohio to attend God’s Bible School and College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Adams State University in Colorado.
“I am passionate about education, and I want to pass that along to our students,” he said. “Reflecting, I’ve always had great support, from my parents, to now my supervisor Cindy (Blanco), who have motivated me, encouraged me and pushed me beyond anything I could ever imagine for myself. This award is a full-circle moment that validates I must be doing something right, and I’m glad I have the chance of creating opportunities for others.”
Cerda has always been passionate about STC’s mission, he said. He plans on continuing his work with TACRAO and serving the college and its students with heart.
“STC was supposed to be a short stint, but I ended up falling in love with STC and everything it stands for. Here I am 15 years later,” said Cerda. “This is an exciting time and ultimately, everything I do, I want it to represent STC well. In the end, I want to do what I can to help everyone grow.”
