UNM Health Sciences announced Barbara Damron, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN, a professor and senior advisor to the dean of the College of Nursing at UNM, was elected as the Vice-Chair of the Western Institute Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE aims to foster educational access and excellence for residents of the Western United States and US territories through innovative approaches, collaboration, resource sharing, and effective public policy. This appointment marks a milestone in UNM's representation within WICHE.
The election represents a significant development in higher education. UNM Health Sciences revealed this is the first time a representative from UNM has held this position, and Damron will leverage this opportunity to contribute to impactful higher education initiatives in the state and throughout the Western United States and US territories. In her role as vice chair, Damron is strategically positioned to potentially assume the position of WICHE chair, according to a press release by UNM Health Sciences.
Damron's statements reflect her enthusiasm for her new role. According to a press release by UNM Health Sciences, Damron said, "WICHE is one of the most effective compacts for higher education in existence. It is a straightforward cohort of innovators and leaders prepared to approach challenges and opportunities in interdisciplinary ways. We work together and use our past and current professional lives to better education. I am thrilled that New Mexico and the UNM College of Nursing will be present with me during this time with WICHE. I owe a lot to this state and this university."
The newly elected Vice Chair is also focusing on student exchange programs. Damron is actively collaborating with current Chair Antwan Jefferson, Ph.D., and Immediate Past Chair Matt Freeman, JD, to enhance student exchange programs between continental US schools and Pacific territories such as Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, according to a press release by UNM Health Sciences.
Damron's vision includes tackling challenges faced by rural communities. "The territories in the Pacific are filled with rural communities that experience natural disasters and have growing challenges with mental health care. These are also challenges that communities like New Mexico face. We are more similar than we think and approaching collaboration, resource sharing and innovation through exchange programs can benefit health care and higher education on a global scale," Damron said, according to a press release by UNM Health Sciences.
