Montserrat “Montse” Fuentes serves as President of St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and Professor of Mathematics. An internationally recognized scholar in statistics and data science, Dr. Fuentes has built a distinguished career advancing research excellence, expanding access to higher education, and strengthening the role of universities as engines of opportunity, innovation, and community impact.
Since becoming President in 2021, Dr. Fuentes has led St. Edward’s University through a period of strategic growth focused on academic innovation, student success, and research development. Under her leadership, the university achieved Carnegie Research University designation and strengthened its research infrastructure while expanding academic programs aligned with workforce needs, including the creation of the School of Health Sciences and the launch of the university’s first nursing program. St. Edward’s has reached its highest rankings in U.S. News & World Report and earned the national Seal of Excelencia, recognizing the university’s commitment to student success. The institution has experienced enrollment growth and improved student retention while expanding philanthropic engagement and achieving historic success in fundraising, increasing gifts and growing the university’s endowment to support strategic investments in academic programs, research, and student success.
A central focus of Dr. Fuentes’s leadership is student success through experiential learning. She has advanced initiatives ensuring that students engage in hands-on learning opportunities through internships, research experiences, community engagement, and partnerships with industry and nonprofit organizations. She has also strengthened collaborations across the Austin region with employers, civic organizations, community colleges, and local government leaders to expand educational pathways and connect academic programs with workforce and community needs.
As president, Dr. Fuentes works closely with legislators, state leaders, and local government officials to advance the role of higher education in regional development, workforce preparation, and innovation. Her leadership emphasizes strong partnerships between universities, public agencies, and communities to address societal challenges and expand opportunity.
Prior to her presidency, Dr. Fuentes served as Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of Iowa, a major public R1 research university and member of the Association of American Universities. As chief academic officer she provided leadership for academic programs, faculty affairs, and research strategy across twelve colleges and a comprehensive academic medical center, while advancing interdisciplinary research and student success initiatives.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Fuentes served as Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University and as Department Head of Statistics at North Carolina State University. She also directed the NSF-funded STATMOS research center, coordinating a national network of researchers focused on statistical methods for atmospheric and oceanic sciences.
Dr. Fuentes earned her Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Chicago and completed postdoctoral research at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. She also held an appointment as a visiting scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Atmospheric Modeling Division, contributing to research at the intersection of environmental science, statistics, and public policy.
She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and her research has been supported by major federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, and NOAA.
A first-generation college student, Dr. Fuentes is deeply committed to expanding access to transformative education while advancing academic excellence through collaboration, research, and strong partnerships with the communities universities serve.