SILVER CITY – Western New Mexico University has launched a comprehensive nationwide search for its next president. The institution’s chief executive officer, who reports directly to the WNMU Board of Regents, will be tasked with guiding the university through a pivotal period of renewal and growth, ensuring sustainability and advancing its mission in a changing higher education landscape.
The search committee is co-chaired by Board of Regents Vice Chairman John Wertheim and Treasurer Dean Reed. Members include WNMU faculty, staff, and students: Vice President of Business Affairs Kelley Riddle, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia West, Faculty Senate President Gregory Robinson-Guerra, Staff Senate President Bartholomew Brown, Associated Students of WNMU President Carlos Carranza, Assistant Vice President of Student Life April Burt, and Randy Gomez from WNMU Facilities. Two additional faculty members will be named at a later date.
Representatives from the public also serve on the committee, including Grant County Commissioner Chris Ponce, Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner, Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent William Hawkins, Silver City Chamber of Commerce representative Bart Roselli, former State Rep. Candie G. Sweetser, WNMU Alumni Board member Evangeline Zamora, and Javier Marrufo from LULAC.
“Our search is for a dynamic leader who understands that Western New Mexico University is more than just a campus; it’s an open-access gateway to opportunity,” Reed said. “We need a visionary who can champion our unique mission as an Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences university, someone who will lead with integrity, rebuild our community’s trust, and advocate fiercely for our students and our role as a vital anchor for the entire region.”
Earlier this fall, WNMU retained Anthem Executive to conduct the national search, which included a community-wide survey and public forums on campus. Wertheim emphasized that the next president must have a strong commitment to equity and student success, ensuring that essential services—from advising to mental health—remain student-first.
Beyond the university itself, the president will serve as a key advocate for WNMU across New Mexico, working to secure critical state funding in a competitive higher education environment with more than 30 public, state, and specialty institutions.