Our Team

As an accomplished leader in higher education, Dr. Ana “Cha” Guzmán brings an insightful and experienced perspective on both community college and university development to the Strategic Partnerships team. She is recognized throughout the country as a leader in the field of education.

From 2001 to 2012, Dr. Guzmán served as president of Palo Alto College in San Antonio during a period of extraordinary growth. During her tenure there, she increased student enrollment and retention rates, tripled the amount of grant funding received by the college, and developed over 16 new degree programs. She has also held leadership roles in several other colleges including Austin Community College, Texas A&M, Santa Fe Community College, and Blinn College. In her capacity as Executive Vice President at Austin Community College, Dr. Guzmán balanced the budget of the college and successfully negotiated a multi-million-dollar facility project within budget.  Throughout her career, she has been a collaborative innovator, improving outcomes for individual students while constantly engaging stakeholders and partners wherever they may be.

Dr. Guzmán has also served on a number of educational advisory commissions at both the local and federal levels of government.  She was appointed to the role of Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education where she provided guidance to the agency in developing opportunities for educational excellence for Hispanic Americans.  Dr. Guzmán holds a bachelor’s degree from Stout State University (University of Wisconsin-Stout), a master’s degree from Texas Southern University, and an Ed.D. from the University of Houston.