In this inspiring episode of Visionary Voices: The College President's Playbook, host Dr. Bryan Gross sits down with Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President of San Jose State University, and Dr. Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The discussion centers around the university's strategic vision and its dynamic role in community and industry engagement, leveraging its prime location in Silicon Valley.

Discover how San Jose State University, known as the original Silicon Valley startup, integrates its strategic vision with the needs of the local community through innovative programs. President Teniente-Matson and Dr. Del Casino delve into the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting initiatives such as the interdisciplinary science building, urban and regional planning programs, and the Sparta Incubator that supports entrepreneurship and innovation.

The conversation underscores the critical role of higher education in addressing contemporary challenges and preparing students for the future. The episode offers valuable insights into the significance of having a support network and the benefits of institutional collaboration. Listeners will be inspired by the commitment to fostering innovation, the integration of AI and emerging technologies, and the relentless pursuit of excellence at San Jose State University.

Tune in to learn why SJSU is at the epicenter of the future and how its leaders are paving the way for transformative change in higher education. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring leaders and anyone interested in the cutting-edge advancements happening in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Guest Names: 
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson
Dr. Vincent J. Del Casino Jr.

Guest Socials:
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson - linkedin.com/in/cynthiatenientematson
Dr. Vincent J. Del Casino Jr. - linkedin.com/in/vincent-j-del-casino-jr-0a060356

Guest Bios: 
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson - Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson serves as the 31st president of San José State University. An internationally recognized Latina leader, President Teniente-Matson is a champion of student success initiatives; diversity, equity and inclusion; civic engagement; and experiential learning. A renowned public speaker, she has delivered keynotes at national conferences regarding contemporary issues in higher education, risk management, women’s leadership, and Latinx leadership. Throughout a career that spans more than 30 years in higher education, President TenienteMatson has always put students first, engaging in strategic partnerships and serving on numerous national educational-governing and civic boards geared toward enhancing the student experience. She currently sits on the boards of the American Council on Education and Girl Scouts USA; is a member of the HSI-Educational Testing Service (ETS) Steering Committee and LiftFund; and is a past chair of the Board of Directors for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), a university presidents and chancellors membership association. Prior to her appointment at SJSU in January 2023, President Teniente-Matson led Texas A&M University-San Antonio from 2015 to 2023, and was Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Fresno State University from 2004 to 2015. She earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Fresno State University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She and her husband Mike have two sons, Phillip and Wyatt. She enjoys writing, traveling, and outdoor activities such as biking and boating. 

Dr. Vincent J. Del Casino Jr. - As SJSU’s provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, Vincent J. Del Casino Jr. serves as a key member of the university president’s leadership team with primary responsibility for ensuring academic excellence in undergraduate and graduate studies as well as a continual commitment to research, scholarship, and creative activities that benefit all students and society at large.
At the University of Arizona, Del Casino provided leadership and administrative oversight as the campus redeveloped central spaces for student support activities; re-organized its central administrative areas; increased online enrollment and program offerings; and enhanced student success and retention. With more than 18 years of academic and administrative experience in higher education, he also served as professor and chair of the Department of Geography at California State University, Long Beach.
Del Casino is a prolific writer and researcher who authored the book Social Geography: A Critical Introduction. He has also edited, co-edited and co-authored multiple other books and published dozens of articles and book chapters on topics ranging from health, robots and robotic technologies, cartographic theory, and tourism, in the context of geography. His numerous commentaries on higher education have been published in The Evolllution and Inside Higher Education, including “Machine Learning, Big Data and the Future of Higher Education.”
Prior to earning his doctorate in geography from the University of Kentucky, Del Casino received his master’s in geography from the University of Wisconsin and bachelor’s in international relations and East Asian studies from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.