Educator.
Encourager.
Believer in all things persistence.
Dr. Cap is a higher ed leader who has dedicated her career to empowering students and strengthening communities through learning, leadership, and connection. Her journey, however, is a story of overcoming the odds.
Persistence is Power:
Though she didn’t attend her dream school right away, she remained determined and graduated with a full-tuition scholarship. #TransferSuccess
Turn Challenges into Triumphs:
Despite taking the GRE three times, she overcame and completed her doctorate in three years.
#EmbraceTheJourney
Meet the Moment:
As a second-generation community college graduate, she’s passionate about helping every student realize their potential to persevere, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals. #KeepGoingAnyways
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Dr. Rachael Capua (CAP-you-uh) is a higher education executive whose leadership centers on expanding opportunity, strengthening communities,
and helping learners move from uncertainty to purpose. She is recognized for building high-impact partnerships, scalable systems, and innovative
pathways that connect education, workforce, and community for lasting impact.
In 2023, Dr. Cap joined Tarleton State University, a founding member of The Texas A&M System, as Vice President for External Operations and Dean
of Tarleton State Fort Worth. She leads Tarleton State's multi-site and online enterprise, providing executive oversight for the university's extended
campuses in Fort Worth, Waco, and Bryan. Her portfolio includes enrollment strategy, campus operations, workforce development, Tarleton State Online, and institutional expansion, positioning the university to grow in alignment with student demand, employer needs, and regional priorities.
Before joining Tarleton State, Dr. Cap served as the founding Director of College and Career Success for the Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership, leading postsecondary partnerships that have provided scholarships, persistence coaching, and wraparound supports for more than 8,000 students across Tarrant County. Earlier, she held roles at Texas Christian University (TCU) and in the Chancellor's Office at Tarrant County College, building expertise in student affairs, strategic communications, community college leadership, and regional collaboration.
Current Service & Boards:
Tarleton State University | President’s Executive Cabinet
Texas Transfer Alliance | Steering Committee
Mayor’s Council on Workforce & Education | Co-Chair for Higher Ed Subcommittee
Bass Hall Performing Arts | Board Member
Center for Transforming Lives | Board Member
Honors & Awards:
Top 500 Most Influential People | Fort Worth Inc.
Great Woman of Texas | Fort Worth Business Press
40 Under 40 Honoree | Fort Worth Business Press
Top 50 Latino Leader | Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Distinguished Woman Award | Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains
The 27 Fort Worth Newsmakers List | Dallas Business Journal
Bold Woman Award | Girls Inc. of Tarrant County
Dr. Cap's Education
Associate of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Master of Education
Doctor of Education
(Cert) Women in Higher Ed Leadership
Dissertation Research
A Multi-Case Study Identifying Potential Factors Related to Two- to Four-Year Transfer Student Retention and Persistence at Private Institutions
9 Things About Dr. Cap
