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.]

Huerta’s journey to the Board of Regents is a testament to her commitment to her community. A lifelong resident of Grant County, she served as a Councilwoman for the Town of Hurley from 2022 to 2025. Her passion for public service and dedication to WNMU led Huerta to her current role as Student Regent.����

“I am a product of this community and this university,” Huerta said. “I was born and raised here, and I am so grateful to have a world-class institution right in my own backyard. WNMU has always been a place where people can thrive in a safe, caring environment.”��

Huerta believes that strengthening student morale—especially after such a challenging period for WNMU—requires a more vocal and visible show of support from everyone in the surrounding area.����

“It’s more than just WNMU the university, it’s the people who live and work in the area, we are all WNMU,” she emphasized. “We need the community to fearlessly show up—to games, to events, and to meetings. Students deserve to be excited and proud of the work they do here. As a student, when you see a crowd of people supporting you, there’s no better feeling in the world. That’s what pushes you to graduation day.”��

As a first-generation college student, Huerta understands the unique challenges many students face. A key part of her agenda is to make it easier for students to access resources and to ensure that the highest levels of leadership are transparent and approachable. She believes that leading by example is the best way to foster a culture of transparency and open dialogue.��

Beyond her work as a regent and her demanding nursing studies, Huerta is also a gifted musician. A Tejano recording artist with Shellshock Records 3, she performs with local jazz and variety bands. She sees a clear connection between her creative pursuits and her career path. “There’s a singing doctor, and I’d love to be a singing nurse,” she said with a laugh. “Music connects us all, and it’s another way for me to talk about the good things we’re doing at WNMU.”��

Huerta is set to graduate in December of 2026 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She foresees potentially pursuing her master’s degree at WNMU.����

While Huerta’s term as a Student Regent will conclude at the end of the 2026 academic year, she is determined to make a lasting impact that is part of a noticeable culture shift toward even greater support for WNMU students.��

“My story is a testimony to every first-generation student out there that they can do it. They can take up space, serve as a voice for others, and lead. It’s about being the person you needed when you first started.”��

More information WNMU Board of Regents.����

This series features the members of the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents, highlighting their diverse backgrounds, motivations, and long-term goals for the university.

Western New Mexico University’s athletic training staff has been selected as the 2024–25 Lone Star Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year among football-playing institutions. It is the program’s second recognition in the past three seasons, having also earned the honor in 2022–23.

The Mustang staff is led by Head Athletic Trainer Terra Dunlap, who recently completed her 18th year at WNMU.

Assisting Dunlap during the 2024–25 academic year were Assistant Athletic Trainers Jocelyn Hurtado and Brooke Weisenberger, along with student assistants Selma Carrasco, Sorrin Garcia, Nicholas Bobo and Maxx Todden. The group provides year-round medical coverage for 13 varsity sport programs, ensuring the health and safety of Mustang student-athletes.

The Lone Star Conference established the Athletic Training Staff of the Year award in 2004. Since 2019, two staffs are honored annually—one from a football-playing institution and one from a non-football member school. Winners are selected through a vote of head athletic trainers from across the conference.

The award recognizes excellence in the athletic training profession, with criteria that include preparedness for emergencies, quality of care for visiting teams, hospitality toward opponents and overall professionalism.

“WNMU’s continued recognition speaks to the consistency and dedication of its athletic training staff,” said a university spokesperson. “Their commitment behind the scenes plays a vital role in the success of Mustang Athletics.”

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.