Lecuona's success in gymnastics won him a full scholarship to Florida State University, from which he received a degree in business advertising in 1957. After the rise to power of Fidel Castro, whom Lecuona vigorously opposed, his interest turned to politics. He acquired a master's degree and a Ph.D. in political science from FSU in 1968 and 1970, respectively. He then moved to Laredo to join the original faculty there of Texas A&I University, subsequently Laredo State University and then the current Texas A&M International University. Upon his retirement in 2002, he was recognized by the Texas state university system with a professor emeritus designation.