Profile: Wandy Cruz Velázquez

Biography

Wandy Cruz-Velázquez is currently the Associate Registrar for the UTRGV School of Medicine. Wandy is a seasoned higher education leader with over 25 years of experience, specializing in admissions, enrollment management, and student affairs in medical education. She is a founding member of UTRGV SOM, where she helped establish admissions and registrar services offices and serves in leadership roles, shaping policy, curriculum, and student success initiatives. 

Wandy’s career began at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where she developed a passion for supporting students—particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds—through every stage of their academic journey. She also played a pivotal role at the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine, where she was a founding member in the admissions/registration area.  

Wandy has created and led numerous pipeline programs for high school students pursuing careers in medicine. At the national level, she is serving a three-year appointment with the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Group on Student Affairs Committee on Student Records. She has presented at regional conferences and contributed to the development of accreditation workshops for medical school registrars, demonstrating her commitment to advancing excellence in medical education.

Her professional journey is rooted in a deep belief in service, both to her institution and her community. Beyond academia, Wandy has volunteered along the U.S.–Mexico border, assisted asylum seekers, run for public office, and currently serves as a commissioner on the City of Harlingen’s Planning & Zoning Board. These experiences reflect her lifelong dedication to advocacy, social justice, and community engagement.

Born in Puerto Rico and having lived in communities across the United States and abroad, Wandy brings a global perspective and cultural fluency to her work. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, and organizations, a Juris Doctor, and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration.