The Texas International Education Consortium honors the life of Dr. Pablo Arenaz, a visionary leader who served as president of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and a dedicated member of the TIEC Board of Directors. During his five years on our board, including four years as vice chair, his forward-thinking leadership and dedication to building bridges across institutions helped shape TIEC’s direction. His contributions to higher education and commitment to the advancement of TAMIU leave a legacy that extends far beyond the university and even beyond Texas.
Appointed TAMIU president in 2016, Dr. Arenaz guided the university through significant growth and transformation. Under his leadership, TAMIU saw notable advances in STEM fields as well as health sciences. One of his most ambitious projects included overseeing the construction of the $71.2 million Health Sciences Education and Research Center and expanding the Western Hemispheric Trade Center. His efforts focused on enhancing academic quality, expanding research capacity, and increasing opportunities for students, including internships and hands-on research experiences.
Dr. Arenaz’s dedication to students was a guiding principle throughout his time at TAMIU. His efforts to expand curricular and co-curricular opportunities significantly enriched the student experience. Bill Mahomes, chairman of the Texas A&M System Board of Regents, reflected on Dr. Arenaz’s profound impact, saying, “Pablo was an excellent president and an even better person. Warm-hearted. Student-centered. His legacy is an affordable, accessible, and exceptional university that students love to attend. It was a pleasure knowing him. He will be missed by all of us.”
Dr. Arenaz’s leadership extended beyond TAMIU, as he influenced the broader educational landscape through his service on the TIEC board since 2020. Robin Lerner, former TIEC President and CEO, remembers, “I’d made a broad invitation to university presidents to come visit us in Austin, and he did so pretty quickly after. We struck up a friendly relationship and I told him what I was trying to build and that I needed new board members as I re-envisioned this new mission and org. I asked if he would be willing to serve and he said he would be happy to. It was a critical time and he was really supportive in a fundamental way.” We are grateful to have had Dr. Arenaz championing a more expansive role for TIEC. With his help and steady guidance, TIEC grew our advocacy for Texas universities cooperating with institutions across the globe, fostering opportunities for academic exchange and collaboration.
As we honor Dr. Arenaz’s legacy, we remember his vision, his dedication, and the indelible mark he has left on both TAMIU and the international education community. His contributions will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations of students, educators, and leaders.
For more about Dr. Arenaz's life and legacy, you can read his obituary here.
