Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — The Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM) has named Cyndi Beltran as Chief of Staff for the McAllen campus, effective Sept. 1, 2026. Beltran, formerly the executive assistant to Ernest Aliseda ’88, the chief operating officer and associate vice president at the HECM, has been appointed as the center’s inaugural chief of staff.
In this role, Beltran will serve as a strategic partner and operational representative of the HECM’s leadership office. She will support the leadership team to advance institutional priorities, drive strategic initiatives, strengthen coordination across the organization, act as senior administrator for the unit, oversee executive event coordination and support the continuity of executive office operations.
Beltran brings 18 years of service to Texas A&M University, with experience spanning higher education administration, student success, public health and organizational leadership. Prior to joining the HECM, she spent 10 years with the Texas A&M School of Public Health as program manager for the Bachelor and Master of Public Health degree programs and served on the executive board of the South Texas Area Recruitment Network (STARN) and participated on the Health and Wellness Committee.
Prior to her career in higher education, she spent a decade working at four legal practices throughout the Rio Grande Valley, providing a strong foundation in executive-level support, client and professional relations, complex administrative operations and supporting confidential and sensitive matters.
“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. I am pleased to have someone of her experience and ability serving in this important role.”
Beltran is looking forward to serving the HECM as chief of staff and working closely with the leadership team to support strategic initiatives and campus operations. “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.”
Beltran earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from The University of Texas–Pan American and holds the Certified Administrative Professional. (CAP) credential through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).
Beltran’s commitment to service and leadership extends beyond the university as she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Hope Family Health Center and the Leadership McAllen Steering Board. She is a graduate of Leadership McAllen Class XLIV and is an active member of the Edinburg Rotary Club and the Texas A&M Women Administrators Network. Her professional affiliations have also included the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and the Texas Academic Advising Network (TEXAAN).
ABOUT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER AT MCALLEN
Established in 2017, the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen provides students in the Rio Grande Valley local access to a Texas A&M University education, connecting them to an Association of American Universities (AAU) and Carnegie Research 1 institution while supporting student success, community engagement and workforce needs in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. For more information, visit mcallen.tamu.edu.
