Michelle Cohen
Commissioner
Hays County Precinct 2
Public career highlights and education: I am the first Latina elected as a commissioner in Precinct 2. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Finance, an MBA and a Doctorate in Management in Organizational Leadership. I worked for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and Texas Comptroller before I was elected.
Public health has been my passion, mostly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, when I saw firsthand the racial disparity of who was most affected by the virus. When I was elected in 2022, the first major agenda I pursued was the purchase of a mobile vaccine van. This unit now travels throughout the county, providing vaccines to rural communities. In 2024, I released a children’s book called “A Day in the Life of a Hays County Commissioner.”
What I like best about my public service is: As a commissioner, the most rewarding aspect of my role is the opportunity to work on policies and programs that have a direct impact on the community I hold dear. I’ve lived in Hays County for over 40 years, I grew up here and my family is here. My primary goal in life right now is to serve and support my neighbors.
The best advice I’ve received: “Trust your instincts.” It can be challenging to navigate the opinions and advice of those around you, and it’s easy to become swayed if you lack confidence in your own ideas or opinions. Always remember that you were elected because the people believe in what you could accomplish.
One thing I wish more people knew about Hays County is: We are diverse in terms of our residents, landscapes and challenges, yet we all share a common love for our community. As a rapidly growing county, we face many challenges ahead. However, I am confident that the decisions we make today will positively impact our community for decades to come.
