Regent J. Dean Reed, Interim President Chris Maples, Ph.D., and members of the university’s executive leadership team attended in person from the Serna Conference Room. Regents Steven Neville, John V. Wertheim, Gregory Trujillo and Keana Huerta attending virtually. Incoming President Jose Coll, Ph.D. was also present in person.

Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Betsy Miller and Associated Students of WNMU President Carlos Carranza opened the meeting with a presentation on student fees. Carranza provided a detailed overview of the proposed fee structure, noting there will be no net increase in student fees for the upcoming academic year.

Vice President of Business Affairs Kelley Riddle added that required fees include debt service for recent campus improvements such as the renovation of the university’s softball complex and construction of a climbing wall in the university gym. The Follett Access program, which provides required textbooks, will also continue, with students retaining the option to opt out at the beginning of each semester.

Vice President Riddle then presented the proposed tuition rates, which also include no increase for 2026-2027. “This is the third year that we have not increased tuition,” said Riddle, but noted the university should proceed with caution as the costs for day-to-day operational expenses continue to increase.

Following the approval of tuition and fees, Vice President Riddle presented the third quarter financial certification for fiscal year 2026. Reporting no issues with university balances and no significant budget adjustments, Riddle also noted the university continues to maintain reserves above the 3% required threshold.

Finally, the board authorized the university to move forward with pursuing the purchase of Sixth Street Elementary School from the Silver Consolidated Schools District for $1.4 million. The facility will house the College of Education’s early childhood programs, including the New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education, and will replace the earlier proposed new construction on university-owned property.

“This facility will provide twice the space for half the cost and will be available sooner than if we had to build from the ground-up,” said Interim President Chris Maples, Ph.D., who also noted the university anticipates the new facility to be ready for fall 2027.

The board also approved a joint resolution supporting the purchase of the facility. The resolution will next go before the Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education for consideration. Next, the project will proceed to the New Mexico Higher Education Department for review on Monday, April 13, followed by a capital outlay hearing committee on Wednesday, May 13, and then the State Board of Finance for final approval on Tuesday, June 16. Upon receiving all required state approvals, the university will have 30 days to close on the property.

During closing remarks, Regent Reed invited Incoming President Coll to address the board and campus community.

“It’s been a delight to spend the past week on campus, walking the halls, meeting with students and dining on campus and in the community,” said Coll, who added he will return to campus for Commencement on May 8.

The date for the next Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2026.

A recording of the meeting will be posted on the WNMU Board Meetings video archive webpage at:��

The presidential search process will proceed with the remaining four distinguished finalists. The schedule for the upcoming campus visitations and community engagement sessions remains unchanged for the other candidates.

The four finalists and their public meet-and-greets:

• Jose E. Coll, Ph.D. (Western Oregon University):��Dr. Coll currently serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Western Oregon University. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, his career has focused on student success and veteran transition. He previously held leadership roles at Portland State University and the University of Southern California.
  • Visitation Date:��February 25, 2026, with a��public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or through a livestream at��.

• Carlos Rey Romero, Ph.D. (New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology):��Dr. Romero is an Associate Vice President at New Mexico Tech and has extensive experience within the New Mexico higher education and governmental landscape. His background includes leadership in economic development and research at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC).
  • Visitation Date:����February 27, 2026, with a��public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or through a livestream at��.

• Sharon A. Jones, Ph.D. (University of Washington Bothell):��Dr. Jones is the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and a Professor of Engineering at UW Bothell. A first-generation college student and a licensed Professional Engineer, she has a background in bridging STEM with the liberal arts. Jones also served as a dean at the University of Portland.
  • Visitation Date:��March 3, 2026, with a��public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or through a livestream at��.

• Mario Martinez, Ph.D. (Fort Lewis College):��Dr. Martinez serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Fort Lewis College. His work emphasizes institutional innovation, particularly in integrating artificial intelligence with inclusive learning and addressing equity gaps in rural education.
  • Visitation Date:���� March 4, 2026, with a��public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or through a livestream at��.

“WNMU and the Regents remain fully confident in the strength and diversity of our finalist pool,” said��Board of Regents Treasurer and co-chair of the Presidential Hiring committee,��Dean Reed, Board of Regents’ Treasurer and co-chair of the presidential hiring committee. “Our priority is to ensure a transparent and thorough selection process that identifies a leader dedicated to the unique mission of WNMU and the success of our students. We look forward to the upcoming campus visits and highly value the input we will receive from our community members during this final stage.”

Additional information regarding the final four candidates.

The WNMU Board of Regents is still scheduled to convene on March 17, 2026, to announce the university’s next leader, in accordance with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.

WNMU encourages all stakeholders to attend these public sessions—either in person or via livestream—to help shape the university’s future by providing feedback on the final candidates.

“Western New Mexico University is committed to working alongside state leaders and our fellow higher education institutions in finding collaborative solutions to federal funding cuts that could affect education and training programs across the state,” said WNMU Interim President Christopher Maples.

“We also extend our gratitude to the state legislature for the successful conformation of the university’s new Regent, Gregory Trujillo, whose background, perspective and insight will advance and strengthen our university community.”

Cutline:��Western New Mexico University Interim President Christopher Maples, PhD; Sen. Crystal Brantley; J. Dean Reed, secretary/treasurer of the WNMU Board of Regents; Sen. Steve Lanier; Sen. Gabriel Ramos; Steve Neville, chair of the WNMU Board of Regents; and Sen. Joshua Sanchez.

The NMLN Fund is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to expanding and strengthening local news coverage in New Mexico. Through its fellowship and internship program, the organization “recruits and selects emerging journalists and matches them with mentors in local newsrooms,” according to the organization’s website.

Barnett said that she was surprised to learn she was awarded the fellowship. “I honestly did not even expect a call back,” said Barnett. “With my crazy schedule because of my son, I thought I would be passed over for a younger applicant with less baggage. When I received the call, I was happy to even be considered, and when I found out I was awarded the fellowship, I was very excited but also nervous.” Barnett explained that the nerves were due to the fact that she has not worked an office job for about eight years because she has been caring for her young son, who has autism, and attending WNMU remotely.

Barnett, who has been writing for the Sierra County Sentinel, explained that her attraction to journalism was spurred in part by studying history at WNMU. “Having been a history major, I know how important local papers are for the preservation of history in a community,” she stated. “I meet so many amazing people in my community and elsewhere, and I want their stories to be told not just for right now but for future generations who may be looking up that information in archives the way I have for so many assignments.”

The opportunity to connect with people in her community and learn of their diverse experiences also draws Barnett to journalism. “I have gone to events where I was able to participate in a ghost hunter investigation in Kingston, NM, an old mining ghost town, and once I was able to go on a canoe tour on Caballo Lake where I was able to listen to the stories of the stars from a Navajo medicine man,” she said. “These experiences make the job really fun, but I mostly just enjoy hearing about people’s lives and giving small community people and businesses the recognition they deserve. They are always very grateful, and it makes me feel good.”

At El Defensor Chieftain, Barnett will have an opportunity to expand the kinds of stories she writes. “I will be working on the police blotter, some human-interest stories, and also learning to cover county and other government meetings,” she said.

Barnett said that both her undergraduate studies and her master’s program at WNMU have helped prepare her for the work she will be doing under the NMLN Fellowship. “The program at WNMU has helped me in terms of my writing skills and time management since I mainly work on my own schedule with deadlines,” she said. “I have also learned many research skills, [and] WNMU’s focus on the humanities has made me a better person in the way that I am able to understand several people’s points of view, and I am also more resilient to criticism.”

WNMU Professor of English Heather Steinmann, who has taught Barnett at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, said that she was not at all surprised to learn that Barnett was awarded the prestigious NMLN Fellowship. Barnett is “a model writer and graduate student,” said Steinmann. “She understands and completes complex tasks with ease and is a great communicator. This is why she landed work as a writer and tutor, and why she’ll excel in her fellowship position.”

[Photo courtesy of the��El Defensor Chieftain.]

Over two evenings, university faculty, staff, students and community members participated in town hall-style sessions held at J. Cloyd Miller Library, with attendees joining both in person and virtually via Zoom.

“Everything we do is driven toward the students, staff and community,” said Michael Ballew of Anthem Academics. “We’re looking for someone who is already successful and contributing at a high level in their current organization.”

Participants were invited to share their perspectives on the qualities and experiences they believe are essential in the university’s next president. In one exercise, attendees were asked to provide feedback on what characteristics or circumstances might “compel or repel” potential candidates.

Comments ranged from emphasizing the importance of candidates possessing university-level leadership experience to calling for a continued focus on expanding dual enrollment and career and technical education certificate programs. One virtual participant highlighted the unique makeup of the WNMU student body, which includes many nontraditional and fully online learners.

To close each session, attendees were asked to share a single word describing the ideal candidate for the presidency. Responses included��integrity, authentic, transparent��and��compassionate.

Insights gathered from these sessions, along with responses from a public online survey, will inform the creation of an eight to 10-page search prospectus, an official document that outlines the university’s mission, vision, challenges and the desired attributes of candidates for the university presidency. This prospectus will serve as a key tool in identifying and attracting top candidates from across the country.

]]> /board-of-regents-move-forward-with-presidential-search-addresses-december-2024-actions/ Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:30:33 +0000 /?p=17742 Continue reading Board of Regents Move Forward with Presidential Search, Address December 2024 Actions]]> The Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Board of Regents held its regular meeting Thursday, July 31, 2025, in person at the J. Cloyd Miller Library on the WNMU Silver City campus. Present were Regents Steven Neville, John V. Wertheim, J. Dean Reed, and Keana Huerta.

In his first official report to the board, Interim President Dr. Chris Maples introduced himself, shared his background, and outlined his overarching goals for the university during his interim appointment. “I’m happy to be here and excited about the electricity of students arriving to campus,” Dr. Maples said.

Following his remarks, the presidents of the staff, faculty and student governments provided brief updates and extended welcome messages.

In welcoming Dr. Maples to campus, Regent Chair Steven Neville offered gratitude to Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jack Crocker for serving as acting president for the past six months. Regent Chair Neville also delivered an update on the university’s ongoing presidential search, highlighting the recent community town hall meetings and survey as an important first step in the process. As part of that update, the board approved the formation of the first phase of the Presidential Search Committee. Members will include Regents Reed and Wertheim as chair and vice chair, respectively; Vice President for Business Affairs Kelley Riddle; the presidents or designees of the faculty, staff and student governments; and Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent William Hawkins.

Vice President Riddle then presented the university’s FY 2025 fourth-quarter Financial Certification. As part of the report, Riddle informed the board that due to a cybersecurity incident in April, the university was 24 hours late in processing one payroll. Affected employees were promptly notified, and the university committed to covering any resulting fees or overdrafts. “I don’t have anything concerning on the finance side,” Riddle said, emphasizing that while this was a late payroll that was reported to the New Mexico Higher Education Department, it was not due to financial issues and should be transparently shared with the board and community.

Additionally, Riddle presented the university’s first Budget Adjustment Request (BAR) for FY ’26, submitted earlier than the typical December timeline. The early submission was prompted by updated information indicating a revenue increase in the Instruction and General (I&G) category, primarily due to the university’s Building Renewal and Replacement appropriation from the state. The BAR includes details on financial increases, decreases and transfers.

Riddle also reported the disposal of a piece of equipment formerly located at the Deming Mimbres Learning Center, which the university has recently vacated. Lastly, Riddle provided information regarding the renewal of a 25-year lease agreement allowing Verizon to continue operating a wireless tower on university property.

Regent Vice Chair John Wertheim introduced two motions related to the separation agreement and faculty appointment of President Emeritus Dr. Joseph Shepard. Wertheim noted that the board’s December 20, 2024, meeting failed to meet the legal notice requirements of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act (OMA), rendering the approval of those actions potentially invalid.

Wertheim offered the following motion:

I move that this Board of Regents conclude that the action taken on December 20, 2024, by the then-Board of Regents regarding the proposed Western New Mexico University separation and faculty appointment agreement involving a former university president was invalid due to failure to comply with the legal requirements of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.

The motion passed unanimously.

A second motion followed:

I move to disapprove the proposed Western New Mexico University separation agreement and faculty appointment involving a former university president.

Upon approval of this second motion, Regent Wertheim acknowledged that the board’s decisions may raise questions among the university community. “We ask for patience and time, as this is now a personnel matter that must be handled appropriately and in due course,” he said. “As of right now, from the perspective of the Board of Regents, Dr. Shepard’s separation agreement and faculty appointment is no longer in existence.”

Following the public comment portion of the meeting, Regents expressed gratitude to the university community for their continued support and engagement as WNMU advances its search for the next president.

The next meeting of the WNMU Board of Regents will be scheduled at a later date.