Dr. Robert Ayala serves as the Associate Vice President for Academic Success. He has over 17 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, curriculum design, program design, and vision setting in both academic and student affairs divisions. Throughout his career he has secured over $14 million in federal grants funding various research and institutional initiatives. Dr. Ayala last served as Dean of Academic Success at Northwest Vista College where he oversaw several academic areas such as English, Fine and Performing Arts, Kinesiology, Humanities, Social Sciences as well as NVC’s Dual Credit efforts. As a first-generation American and first-generation college student, he appreciates the innovation that the higher education system cultivates, as well as the social mobility and capital it provides.

 As Associate Vice President for Academic Success, Dr. Ayala has direct division and departmental operations, initiatives, and activities and is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies that support increases in retention and graduation of undergraduate students. He oversees professional academic advising, the Pathways Academic Assistance Center (PAAC), the Writing Center, the first-year seminar, the summer bridge program, and the Academic Collegiate Enhancement (ACE) Program. He also oversees the HEART Project. Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the position is a member of the Academic Advisory Council, and works closely with administrators, faculty and staff to promote best practices in student success by working collaboratively on student placement, new student orientation, among other areas. The position has a considerable role in developing and supporting the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).