Current Position and Past Experience
Melissa Peña is the Director of Promise Programs and Enrollment Management in the Office of Recruitment and Outreach at South Texas College. She leads initiatives that support student recruitment, enrollment, and college access, with a focus on helping students and families successfully navigate the transition to higher education. Her work emphasizes providing accurate, timely information that empowers prospective students to make informed decisions about their educational futures.
With experience spanning both higher education and K–12 education, Dr. Peña has built a career centered on student engagement, recruitment, and educational access. Before joining South Texas College, she served as a Program Manager and College Ready Mentor at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where she supported college readiness initiatives and student success programs. She also served as Director of a Learning Center and worked as an AVID Teacher with Partners for Educational Achievement in K–12, helping prepare students for academic success and postsecondary education.
Throughout her career, Dr. Peña has remained committed to supporting staff in their professional growth while helping students and families navigate the college-going process. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that informed educational decisions can have a lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities.
Education, Honors, and Achievements
Dr. Peña earned a Doctorate in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from East Texas A&M University. She also holds a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and a bachelor's degree in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Her academic background and professional experience have established her as a leader in enrollment management, college access, and student success. Through her work in recruitment, outreach, and student support, she continues to advance initiatives that expand educational opportunities and strengthen pathways to higher education for students across South Texas.
