Dr. Rigoberto (Rigo) J. Rincones Gómez is a seasoned academic leader with nearly three decades of experience fostering academic innovation, supporting student learning, and advancing institutional effectiveness across community colleges and universities nationwide. He joins Lone Star College from New Mexico State University’s Doña Ana Community College, where he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer. In this role, he provided strategic oversight for multiple academic divisions, including workforce development, accreditation and compliance operations, faculty development, and systemwide academic transformation initiatives.

A nationally recognized expert on student success and the Founding National Director of Data Coaching for Achieving the Dream, Dr. Rincones has supported colleges across the country in strengthening data-informed decision-making, improving student progression, and designing high-impact instructional and student success models. His leadership has shaped institutional strategy at local, state, and national levels, including work with prestigious foundations and leadership networks focused on excellence in teaching, learning, and institutional performance.

Dr. Rincones’ career reflects a longstanding commitment to academic quality, operational excellence, and faculty and staff development. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, he brings a deep appreciation for faculty work and the classroom realities that shape student success. He has led significant initiatives in AI-enabled instruction, academic governance, program alignment, and course redesign; guided multiple institutions through successful accreditation reaffirmation processes; and championed collaborative models that strengthen transfer, workforce readiness, and student achievement.

A scholar-practitioner, Dr. Rincones holds a Ph.D. in Evaluation, Measurement, and Research and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. He also earned an M.S. in Project Management in Engineering from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Metropolitana both in Venezuela.

Dr. Rincones is honored to join Lone Star College and looks forward to serving the LSC community by fostering collaboration, supporting faculty and staff, and advancing the system’s work to expand opportunity and student success across the region