Dr. Juan E. Mejia, who joined Tyler Junior College as vice president for student affairs in October 2013, has been appointed to serve as TJC provost and vice president for academic and student affairs.
Mejia served as a founding member for South Texas College in McAllen, where he had served as chief academic officer since 2003. In that role, he worked with the academic deans, campus administrators, academic directors, department and program chairs, and the faculty senate, comprised of approximately 600 faculty members who served the STC’s growing student population. STC grew to six full comprehensive campuses and an enrollment of close to 33,000 students, making it the 8th largest community college in the state of Texas. In addition, it had the largest dual enrollment in the state, with close to 13,000 students from its participating school districts.
TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said, “During the founding and meteoric growth at South Texas College, Dr. Mejia quickly emerged as a superstar. I came to rely on his positive energy, intelligence and leadership skills, and so did everyone else.
“Knowing what he can bring to a college community, I am glad he is in Tyler. We have a visionary board of trustees, and we have been able to assemble an outstanding leadership team; therefore, I am looking forward to more exciting times for TJC and truly believe the best is yet to be.”
In his role as vice president for student affairs at TJC, Mejia was responsible for intercollegiate athletics, student life and involvement, enrollment management services, advising, admissions and dual credit, registrar, campus safety, support services and judicial programs. He will continue to provide the leadership for these areas as well as taking on his new role as chief academic officer.
“I am convinced that the collaboration between academic and student affairs will lead to our ability to accelerate the launching of strategic initiatives focused at student and community success,” Mejia said. “It will also allow the college community to take these initiatives to scale and build the institutional infrastructure for sustainability.”
Mejia has been recognized at the local, state and national level for his work in higher education, which expands over 27 years; and he has served on national councils, boards, committees, and task forces.
Some of his achievements include serving as chair of the South Texas Higher Education Regional Council, vice president for the National Council for Workforce Education, board member for the Texas Association of College Technical Educators, vice chair of the Texas Skill Standards Board Task Force on Skill Standards, and steering committee member on both the Texas State Leadership Consortium for Curriculum Development and the Texas State Leadership Consortium for Professional Development.
He has completed programs of study at Texas State Technical Institute, a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and master’s and doctorate degrees from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Metke said, “Dr. Mejia has immediately immersed himself into our communities and already serves on several local boards. He is working with key city leaders and our professional colleagues from The University of Texas at Tyler to move forward the agenda of degree attainment focused on economic development.”
