The Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees has approved the selection of Robert McKinley as the district’s new vice chancellor of economic and workforce development. McKinley, who is currently the senior associate vice president for economic development and chief engagement officer for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), will begin his new duties December 3, 2018.
“As the number one provider of workforce education in our region, it is vital that we have a leader for our workforce efforts who can build on the reputation we have established and the partnerships which have helped to make us so successful in this area. Mr. McKinley’s extensive experience and expertise will be a valuable addition to our leadership team, and we welcome him to the Alamo Colleges District family,” said Alamo Colleges District Board Chair Marcelo Casillas.
“The Alamo Colleges is the largest source of San Antonio’s workforce talent, conferring nearly 13,000 degrees and certificates in FY 2017-18, which makes me excited to join this team. Inclusive economic development that connects our talent with the needs of new and emerging business sectors is the key to empower our diverse communities for success. Chancellor Mike Flores’ vision and leadership, along with the board, faculty, staff and many community partners, will move the needle for greater prosperity,” said McKinley.
McKinley has guided economic development at UTSA since 1990, achieving constant growth and tangible results. He began his career at UTSA as the regional director of the Southwest Texas Border Small Business Development Center (SBDC). He then moved up to the position of assistant vice president for economic development, where he leads the Institute for Economic Development (IED) umbrella organization for all UTSA economic development programs. Since 1979, the institute has been dedicated to creating jobs, growing businesses and fostering economic and community development. Working in collaboration with federal, state and local government agencies, business sector partners and clients, the IED is a principal driver of UTSA’s community engagement. Subsequently, McKinley became the associate vice president for economic development and then the senior associate vice president for economic development.
His wealth of experience includes serving as the past chairman of the board of America’s Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), director of the Control Data Business & Technology Center in San Antonio, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Fort Worth and community organizer for Misión de Amistad to develop Mayan Ejidos in Municipio de Tizmín, Yucatán.
McKinley earned a degree in community development from Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of UTSA’s master’s program in public administration. He received the Distinguished Service award of the UTSA Alumni Association in 2007. Among his many civic roles, he was named by the U.S. Department of State to the bi-national Mexico-U.S. Entrepreneurship Council established in 2013 by Presidents Obama and Peña-Nieto. He currently serves as an executive board member and chair of economic development for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the International Advisory Committee of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation.
At the Alamo Colleges District, high quality education and affordable costs provide exceptional value to students and alumni who are major contributors to the economy and culture of our community. For more information, go to alamo.edu.
