Dr. Juan E. Mejia proudly serves the students and communities of East Texas through his role as President & CEO of Tyler Junior College. Mejia is serving his 10th year with the institution and is approaching his 35th year in higher education.
Mejia is a proud graduate of Texas State Technical Institute, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, and Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He is an alumnus of Leadership Tyler’s Executive Orientation Series, and is an honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa’s chapters Beta Epsilon Mu at South Texas College, and Alpha Omicron at Tyler Junior College. Mejia is the father of five sons and he and his wife, Meela, reside in East Texas.
Prior to his career at TJC, Mejia served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at South Texas College. Both institutions have legislative designation, authorization by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and accreditation status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges, to award baccalaureate degrees, and are among the four Texas colleges classified as Legacy status.
Mejia was recently the recipient of the 2021 Western Region CEO of the Year Award by the Association of Community College Trustees. Mejia also received the 2019 Paragon Award from Phi Theta Kappa, the 2019 Community Impact Leader of the Year for East Texas, the 2017 Nelson Award by the Texas Association of Community Colleges, and the 2017 Distinguished Pioneer for the Valley Scholars Program. Additionally, Mejia has been recognized during three consecutive legislative sessions through Senate and House Resolutions celebrating his service to Texas students and communities, and for his leadership with baccalaureate degrees by junior/community colleges.
Mejia currently serves on the Executive Committee, and as a Board member, for the Texas Association of Community Colleges. He also serves as Board member for the Tyler Economic Development Corporation. Mejia serves on numerous committees and task forces including the Tyler Business Education Council and Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education. He also has served as a Board member for the following programs: Community College Baccalaureate Association, the National Council for Workforce Education, the Texas Association of College Technical Educators, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Tyler, the Tyler Innovation Pipeline, CASA of East Texas, the East Texas Human Needs Network, and the Literacy Council of Tyler.
Dr. Mejia believes in service to students and communities by creating a culture and environment where leadership is valued, celebrated, and collaboration is promoted. He believes that personal and professional growth should be encouraged and supported. His values include a commitment to the mission of junior/community colleges, the empowerment of everyone from the college community to achieve their fullest potential, and an ethical value system where honor and principles permeate throughout. Mejia has a strong vision for courage and legacy, and accountability and transparency that strengthens trust and respect within the college community and with external stakeholders.