(June 1, 1945 – September 30, 2023)
Victor Nelson-Cisneros (born Victor B. Nelson Jr.), a devoted scholar, educator, and advocate for diversity and inclusion, passed away on September 30, 2023, at the age of 78. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and mentor whose impact resonated far beyond the boundaries of his birthplace in Brownsville, Texas.
Nelson-Cisneros was born on June 1, 1945, in Brownsville, Texas, to his parents, Victor B. Nelson Sr. and Guadalupe (Lupita) Cisneros Nelson. His journey in education began at Trinity Lutheran School and continued at St. Joseph’s Academy where he graduated from high school in 1963. He pursued higher education at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville.
While at TSC, Nelson-Cisneros’ dedication to learning and research led him to work with the USDA in the Entomology research department. His academic journey continued at Texas A&I University, where he was a student activist and obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1969. He furthered his studies at A&I while also working full time as the first Director of the Texas A&I Ethnic Studies program. After he completed his master’s degree in History in 1971, he entered the Doctoral History program at University of Texas at Austin.
Nelson-Cisneros’ passion for history and commitment to academia eventually led him to UCLA, where he was a Ford Foundation Fellow. After completing his coursework and exams in history at UCLA, he opted to move back to Texas. He got a job teaching at the University of Texas. Nelson-Cisneros’ career then took him to the University of Houston where he served as the Interim Director of the Center for Mexican American Studies for a year. Afterwards, he returned to Austin and began working for the National Research Center, conducting research on job growth and equal employment in the non-metropolitan sunbelt.
Nelson-Cisneros’ journey in academia took an extraordinary turn when he was invited to apply for the position of Assistant Dean at CC. Out of more than a hundred applicants, he was selected for the role, marking the beginning of a distinguished tenure that spanned over thirty years.
During his time at CC, Nelson-Cisneros was known for his candid, compassionate, and direct style. He was instrumental in fostering opportunities for undergraduate students and Ph.D. candidates. His role at the college primarily focused on faculty development and student experience, with particular emphasis on inclusion, representation, and opportunity expansion. CC’s renowned and celebrated Venture Grants grew under his leadership, and he initiated mentoring options for non-tenured faculty, as well as serving as an interim Dean of the College for the 2004-05 academic year. In 2006, he was named associate Dean of the College.
Nelson-Cisneros’ contributions left an indelible mark on liberal arts colleges across the nation. In recognition of his remarkable achievements, CC created a leadership award for Faculty and Staff and named it the Victor Nelson Cisneros Leadership Award. The Victor Nelson-Cisneros Award is given to faculty and staff who exemplify former associate Dean Victor Nelson-Cisneros qualities in supporting diversity and inclusion on campus. Even after his retirement in 2012, he continued to make annual visits to Colorado Springs to present this prestigious award.
In 2020, Nelson-Cisneros received the Grisham Riley Award from the CC Alumni Association, acknowledging his significant impact on the Riley Scholars Program, which brought 65 faculty scholars from underrepresented groups to the campus and expanded opportunities for all. Through this program, his legacy as a champion of inclusion, representation, and opportunity expansion lives on.
In 2012, Nelson-Cisneros retired after 30 years at CC and returned to his beloved Brownsville, where he enjoyed the embrace of his family and the community he held dear. When he departed this world on September 30, 2023, he was surrounded by his family and the love and warmth that he had shared so generously throughout his remarkable life.
“Well, I understand the notion that change takes time, and one has to keep at it and persevere, and keep the issues, and the numbers, and the desire for more in front of everybody. You can’t get tired of raising the issues.”
Victor Nelson-Cisneros
Nelson-Cisneros leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, unwavering dedication to diversity, and a profound commitment to creating a more inclusive world. His memory will forever inspire those who were fortunate enough to know him, and his impact will continue to shape the educational landscape for generations to come.
He is survived by his brother, Arturo Cisneros Nelson, and sister-in-law, Patience Nelson, along with his niece, Marisa Sonia Davies, her husband, Laurence Davies, and their daughters, Isabella Rose Davies and Ava Elizabeth Eulalia Davies; his nephew, Arturo Antonio Nelson, Arturo’s wife, Dr. Lillian Adame Nelson, and their children, Andrea Flor Nelson, Victoria Elizabeth Guadalupe Nelson, and Arturo Antonio Nelson II; his niece, Maria Cristina E. Nelson, her husband, Jeffrey Wrana, and their sons, Nate Wrana and Matthew Wrana. He is also survived by many primos hermanos to whom he was devoted.
A celebration of Nelson-Cisneros‘ life will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home at 657 Springmart Blvd. in Brownsville, Texas 78526. The family will be receiving guests between 5:00pm to 8:00 pm with a memorial service at 7:00 pm.
To send flowers or a plant to the family in the memory of Mr. Victor B. Nelson Jr., please visit Didi’s Flower Shop at Sunset Memorial, or place your order by calling (956) 572-3872.
One response to “In Loving Memory of Victor Nelson-Cisneros”
Victor Nelson-Cisneros was my faculty mentor during my first year at Colorado College in 2001. He was a person who was particularly adept and well-suited for helping a young person find their feet and ultimately their voice. I was privileged to work with him and to have his guidance. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and honor his memory at CC.