Posted on January 23, 2026 by College of Sciences
#StaffSpotlight
Hector Aguilar, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, College of Sciences Office of the Dean
What did your journey to UT San Antonio look like?
I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, to parents who had very limited formal education but believed deeply in the power of working hard and getting an education. My dad, from Honduras, worked as a machine operator; my mother did jobs like cashiering and housekeeping. I was a first‐generation college student. I earned my B.S. in Biology from UT Pan American, then came to The University of Texas at San Antonio for my Ph.D. in Chemistry, which I completed in 2013. After earning my Ph.D., I joined the university's chemistry faculty in 2013. Since then I've taken on increasing responsibilities—teaching, mentoring, developing new courses, leadership roles in honors and academic affairs.
What do you enjoy most about your area of study?
The interconnection between chemistry and biology. How chemistry can be used to understand biological phenomena.
What is your proudest moment with the College of Sciences?
One very proud moment was being inducted in 2021 into the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers, one of only a few faculty to be selected. Also, receiving multiple prestigious teaching awards—for example, UTSA's President's Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching (2016), the UT System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, and others—are moments that give me great pride in what I do. Another proud moment is seeing students who started far behind gain confidence, succeed, and move on to advanced degrees. If you go into my faculty office, you will see that my walls are covered with pictures of students who have accomplished this.
Describe your new leadership role and how it will help support students, faculty, and/or staff in COS.
As Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, I will have the opportunity to help more students succeed in rigorous science courses by reducing attrition and removing common roadblocks. This role will also allow me to expand and create new initiatives that foster community and strengthen students' science identity. In addition, I look forward to developing programs that provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities, preparing our students to be more competitive in the workforce.
What are you most looking forward to in this new role?
Creating opportunities for students to reach new heights of success.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work in this role?
The most rewarding part is helping solve problems that make life a little easier for others—whether that's improving communication, clarifying policies, or finding creative ways to support student success.
How would you spend your ideal Saturday?
On a beach with a refreshing beverage.
What are your book recommendations?
Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore and The Inheritance Cycle by Chrisopher Paolini.
— College of Sciences
