Cynthia Teniente-Matson

San Jose State University presidency Teniente-Matson departed TAMU-San Antonio to become the president of San Jose State University (SJSU), assuming the presidency on January 16, 2023. During her early tenure, she oversaw the finalization of the purchase of the south tower of the Fairmont Hotel, and its conversion into student housing.

In spring 2024, San Jose State became one of many universities where students established encampments to protest the Gaza War and Gaza Genocide. Teniente‑Matson placed two professors on leave after the protests: a justice studies professor who helped organize the encampments, and a history professor who was involved in a physical altercation with a protester. The history professor voluntarily retired, but the justice studies professor sought reinstatement. In November 2025, Teniente‑Matson upheld the professor's dismissal; however, the California State University system reinstated them on appeal. This led to an anti-retaliation lawsuit from the professor against the university.

In fall 2024 the San Jose State women's volleyball team became the subject of nation-wide attention after a longtime player was outed as a trans woman. The controversy subsequently became fuel for Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and led to SJSU to become a target for funding cuts and lawsuits once Trump assumed his second term. Because of these attacks from the federal level, coupled with budget cuts from the state level, balancing SJSU's budget and diversifying its income streams became one of Teniente-Matson's priorities.