Lone Star College System has hired Rigoberto “Rigo” J. Rincones Gomez, Ph.D., as the next vice chancellor, Academic Affairs. Beginning Feb. 9, Rincones will provide strategic leadership for all academic functions and ensure regulatory compliance and fiscal responsibility across the college system.
“Dr. Rincones is a seasoned academic leader with nearly 30 years of experience advancing academic innovation, strengthening student learning and supporting institutional effectiveness across community colleges and universities nationwide,” said Seelpa Keshvala, Ph.D., LSCS executive vice chancellor, Academics. “We look forward to working with Dr. Rincones as we continue offering high-quality academic and workforce programs.”
Rincones’ career reflects a deep commitment to academic quality, operational excellence, and faculty and staff development. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, he brings firsthand insight into the classroom and its impact on student success. He has also led major initiatives in AI-enabled instruction, supported multiple accreditation reaffirmations, and advanced collaborative models that improve transfer, workforce readiness and student achievement.
“I am honored to join Lone Star College System and look forward to fostering collaboration, supporting faculty and staff, and advancing the system’s work to expand opportunity and student success across the region,” said Rincones.
The new vice chancellor joins Lone Star College System from New Mexico State University’s Doña Ana Community College, where he served as vice president, Academic Affairs and chief academic officer. Rincones holds a Ph.D. in Evaluation, Measurement, and Research and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. He also earned a Master of Science in Project Management in Engineering from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Metropolitana, both in Venezuela.
Lone Star College System enrolls over 90,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSCS is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as Chancellor of LSCS, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2025 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSCS consists of eight colleges, six centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.