SAC Announces Two New Deans for Student Success

San Antonio College has named two longtime employees as Deans for Student Success. Christina Horton and Chaye Peña, who both served as interim deans, have now taken the roles on a permanent basis.

In her role as Dean for Student Success, Christina Horton will oversee several offices including Advising, the Empowerment Center, the Victory Center and disAbility Support Services, TRiO STEM and Veterans SSS grants, International Student Services, and the Student Advocacy Center. She had served as interim dean the summer of 2021.

Her SAC career began in 2005 and she has served in numerous roles related to student success, including Director of Strategic Initiatives, Director of Advising, as well as Advising Team lead, Adjunct Counselor and Student Development Instructor.

In addition, she has served the SAC community in a variety of important assignments, including as SAC’s Caring Campus liaison and chair of the Mascot Committee, a year-long commitment that shepherded the voting for and selection of our new mascot, Ace the Armadillo. Past contributions have included serving on the District Equity and Inclusion Council, the Strategic Quality Enhancement Committee and the Strategic Enrollment Committee.  

Horton earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University and a master’s in counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Chaye Peña has been named Dean for Student Success after serving as interim dean since the spring of 2022.  Departments she will oversee include Enrollment Services, Records and Residency, the Assessment Center, TRiO Upward Bound grants, the Office of Student Life, and the Enrichment Center.

Peña’s SAC career began in 2012. Prior to serving as interim dean, she was Director of Outreach & Recruitment/Enrollment Services. She was named Director of Outreach & Recruitment in 2015. Her role was expanded to include Enrollment Services in 2019. As director, she was responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of first-time in college, transfer, returning former, and transient students.

Previously she was senior coordinator in Partnerships & Extended Services from 2013 to 2015 and student conduct officer in the Office of the Vice President for Student Success from 2012 to 2013.

She came to SAC from the University of the Incarnate Word, where she was assistant director of the Student Center and Leadership Activities from 2009 to 2011.

Peña earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and earned a master’s in business administration from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

-SAC-