University of Dallas appoints new presidents for Mountain View and Brookhaven campuses » Dallas Innovates

Dr. Macario Hernandez (left) and Dr. Madeline Brillo Hopkins [Photos: Dallas College]

The chancellor of Dallas College, a seven-campus public community college system, has appointed new presidents for the system’s Mountain View and Brookhaven campuses.

Dallas College President Justin Ronon said Macario Hernandez will lead the Mountain View campus in southwest Dallas County, and Madeline Brillo Hopkins will lead the Brookhaven campus in Farmers Branch.

Hernandez, a native of Oak Cliff and longtime educational administrator, served as superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District for 23 years, including at Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School on the Mountain View campus.

Hernandez is a graduate of the University of North Texas, earned her master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. She served as chief of staff at the University of North Texas at Dallas before coming to Dallas College.

In a statement, Ronon praised Hernandez’s “connection to the community and affinity for Mountain View.”

As part of his duties as Mountain View president, Hernandez will work with business leaders and industry partners to enhance workforce opportunities south of Dallas.

As Brookhaven’s new president, Brillo Hopkins will also focus on improving workforce development. She comes to Dallas after more than 25 years at Houston Community College, where she most recently served as vice president for workforce development and president of HCC Southwest, overseeing four campuses.

She holds degrees from Sam Houston State University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Puerto Rico. She received her Doctorate in Education from Sam Houston State University.

“Brillo Hopkins’ extensive experience working with community colleges will undoubtedly serve us well as we navigate the evolving landscape of higher education in Texas and beyond,” Ronon said in a statement.

Former Brookhaven president now CEO of American Red Cross North Texas chapter

Brookhaven’s search for a new president began when Linda Brady, who had led the school since 2019, left last year to become CEO of the North Texas chapter of the American Red Cross. Krista Slayko was subsequently named interim president. Brillo-Hopkins emerged in May as a finalist for president along with Monica Moody-Moore, a Washington, D.C., higher education expert.

Mountain View’s search for president began when Kenneth P. Gonzalez retired after an 18-month term in January 2023 and Beatrice Joseph became interim president. Hernandez was named a finalist for president in April along with University of Colorado Vice Chancellor Jose Cantu and San Antonio College Vice President Stella Lobato.

Dallas College has 120,992 students enrolled for the 2021-2022 academic year, according to its website, and is made up of seven campuses: Brookhaven, Mountain View, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Northlake and Richland.