Ricardo Maestas became Sul Ross State University's 11th president in November 2009. He arrived in Alpine from Socorro, N.M., where he served as Vice President for Student and University Relations and Dean of Students as well as associate professor with tenure at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He has over 35 years of higher education experience as a faculty member and an administrator. He has an extensive track record in fund-raising, including grant, contract and private resource development, and has a number of publications and research presentations to his credit.

Maestas began his extensive higher education career in 1974 at the University of New Mexico, teaching Spanish courses for native-speaking undergraduates. He served as assistant to the director of the Office of Admissions and Records, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign; director of Hispanic Affairs at the Ohio State University; administrative intern, Office of the President, University of New Mexico; director of Minority Engineering Programs and project director of Minority Engineering, Mathematics and Science Program, University of New Mexico; professional intern and research assistant at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and associate dean, University College, executive affairs officer, Office of the President; lecturer, College of Education; and associate vice president for Student Services, all at the University of New Mexico. He received a B.A. (1974) in Psychology and Spanish and Master of Arts in Teaching (1977) from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; and a Ph.D. (2000) from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan. President Maestas was recently named to the Hall of Presidents from the Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine.  Maestas is a member of The Philosophical Society of Texas, serves on the executive board of the Texas International Education Consortium, and is a member of the Alpine Lion's Club.

Dr. Maestas is the proud father of three children and even prouder grandfather of two grandchildren.

In his tenure as Sul Ross State University President, Maestas has faced many challenges but continues to meet those with strength and perseverance. He is known to tell his staff, "if you need to talk with me about a problem, bring three solutions to the table."