Dr. René Cintrón

April 30, 1978 - December 6, 2021

Dr René Cintrón, aged 43, of Mandeville, LA, a devoted dad of three amazing daughters, passed away suddenly on December 6, 2021. René was born on April 30, 1978 in Hoboken, NJ. René moved to Puerto Rico as a young child with his parents when they returned home to the island. His family moved to Louisiana during his teen years, where he graduated from Grace King High School in 1994. He attended the University of West Alabama, where he joined the lifelong brotherhood of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Iota Upsilon Chapter, and graduated with a Psychology degree in 2000. René’s passion and commitment to his community began in 2000 with his work for Habitat for Humanity as a Resource Development Manager helping bring new opportunities for those in need. After September 11th, René answered the call of his country and served from 2002-2010 in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and served with honor and dedication. He earned his Master of Business Administration (2004), his PhD in Organization and Management (Dissertation: Board Competencies in an Organizationally Effective Nonprofit Organization after Hurricane Katrina in 2009), and his Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Management (2009) degrees all while providing for his daughters. René began his higher education career at Delgado Community College as an instructor from 2007 to 2015 until he was promoted to Assistant Dean, Business and Technology Division. He also served as Interim Executive Director of Planning and Research. René joined the LCTCS Board Office Staff in December 2015 as the Executive Director of Education and Research. In June 2017, he was promoted to Chief Academic Affairs Officer and in July 2018, he was promoted to Chief Education and Training Officer. In every capacity of his life, René’s goal was to provide his community every opportunity for success. In each and every one of his roles, René made sure the focus was on helping and improving the lives of people. His most important role, however, was that of being a Dad. During National Hispanic Heritage Month 2021, René shared his story and his "why”. This self-reflection accurately depicts the person we have come to respect and admire. https://www.lctcs.edu/news-media/blog/1625944/hispanic-heritage-month-2021-spotlight-dr-rene-cintron René’s commitment to his daughters was unparalleled. His love of a good dad joke, cooking, and traveling was only surpassed by his love for his girls. He was wholeheartedly committed to their success and happiness. He enjoyed spending quality time with each of them, sushi dinners, game nights, family TV time, any and everything they wanted to do, he was there. From being their biggest fan at cheerleading, softball, and gymnastics, to being their biggest support as they embarked into adulthood, he embodied what it was to be a girl dad. René is survived by his three adoring daughters Taylor Burdick-Cintrón of Atlanta, GA Carra Cintrón of Slidell, LA, and Carlie Cintrón of Mandeville, LA. René is also survived by his parents Reinaldo and Evelyn Cintrón and his brother Ruben Cintrón. To know René was to love him. He was so well-loved because he loved us all so well. René was passionate about higher education attainment in Louisiana. He worked hard to create opportunities in equity and inclusion in order to provide a pathway to success for as many as possible. In honor of his commitment to education and to the students of Louisiana, we have created the Dr. René Cintrón Hispanic Student Scholarship at the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Foundation. The scholarship will benefit deserving Hispanic students attending any one of the LCTCS colleges. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the scholarship fund may be made online at https://www.aplos.com/aws/give/LCTCSFoundation/DrReneCintronScholarshipFund or by mailing a check payable to LCTCS Foundation Dr. René Cintrón Hispanic Student Scholarship Fund at 265 South Foster Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806. Our hope is that this scholarship will keep René’s memory and his passion for education alive. Relatives and friends are invited to the Celebration of Life at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 on Saturday, December 11th, 2021 at 3:00 PM with visitation from 1:00pm until service time. Military Honors and Presentation of the American Flag will take place following the Celebration of Life. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.