Dr. Melissa N. Gonzalez is President of Houston Community College-Southeast. Dr. Gonzalez holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, an MBA and doctorate in international business management from the University of Texas-Pan American. She was formerly the Chief of Staff for Houston Community College Chancellor, Dr. Cesar Maldonado. Prior to her position at HCC, Dr. Gonzalez was Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development at Lone Star College in Houston, Texas. She began her higher education career as an Associate Professor of Management at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and was also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston- Downtown.
As a child growing up in Alamo, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Gonzalez faced a cycle of poverty too often encountered by Hispanic females. The cycle was broken, however, by her parents’ decision to invest in her education. After graduating from P.S.J.A. High School, she found herself on the path to success.
While in graduate school, she began her teaching career as a GED instructor for a TEA Region VI program targeting single mothers in the Rio Grande Valley. Her passion for helping others fulfill their dreams and change their lives became a personal journey and mission.
While a professor, Dr. Gonzalez pursued basic and applied research in the areas of cross-cultural management, management education, maquiladoras in Mexico and Hispanic career paths. Her articles have been accepted for presentation and/or publication at over thirty regional, national and international conferences. She has presented in hundreds of academic and community events in the subject of international business management, higher education, women’s career paths and topics related to the Hispanic community.
In the community, Dr. Gonzalez has served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Women in Higher Education, Near Northwest Management District, Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber, Neighborhood Centers Leadership Committee, Gulf Coast Planned Parenthood, AAMA, and FIRST Robotics of Houston. Currently, she serves on Advisory Boards for AVANCE, Eastside University and East End Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Gonzalez has received numerous honors and recognitions for her service in education, some recent accomplishments include 2017 Houston 50 Most Influential Women of 2017, Houston Women Magazine, 2017 Honoree for Education, Solo Mujeres and 2016 Women of Now Inductee.
Dr. Gonzalez is married to Edward, and together they have four beautiful daughters, Ashley, Amanda, Natalie and Erika.
