Robert Ayala

Northwest Vista College welcomes Dr. Robert Ayala, a new dean for Academic Success. Since 2012, he served as the division chair of Arts and Sciences at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, Texas.

Dr. Ayala has over 15 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, curriculum design, program design, and vision setting in both academic and student affairs divisions. Throughout his career at SWTJC, he secured over $14 million in federal grants funding various research and institutional initiatives.

Dr. Ayala has spent considerable time in the Alamo City as an undergraduate and research assistant. Dr. Ayala received his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at San Antonio and his master's degree from Angelo State University. A former Biology professor, Dr. Ayala has given many presentations on STEM-related topics at conferences and has been the lead project director overseeing several major STEM grants.

Dr. Ayala is married to Kathryn, a psychology instructor at SWTJC. Together, they have four children, ranging in age from 5 to 22.