Five finalists for president of the New Mexico State University system are set to visit the Las Cruces campus starting February 26, as announced by the Board of Regents. The visits will include public forums allowing the campus community and the public to engage directly with the candidates.
According to the Board of Regents, the public forums will kick off on Monday, Feb. 26, at NMSU’s Las Cruces campus. The morning sessions will address faculty, staff, and community issues, while the afternoon sessions will focus on student concerns. Everyone is encouraged to attend either forum, with questions not limited to specific topics. Additionally, participants can join the forums remotely via Zoom.
The five finalists include Michael Galyean, Wayne Jones, Austin Lane, John Volin, and Richard Williams. Each candidate brings a unique background and experience to the table.
Ben Woods, retired NMSU Vice President for External Affairs and chair of the NMSU search committee, expressed gratitude to all applicants and finalists for their interest in joining the NMSU family. Woods emphasized the importance of community participation in the public forums during the selection process.
Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali highlighted the thoroughness of the search process and thanked everyone involved since its inception last year. Devasthali mentioned the extensive feedback received from stakeholders across the state, which helped shape the leadership profile guiding the search for the university's next president.
Sabrina Martin, a member of the search committee, praised the diverse group's collective effort in identifying candidates who meet the university's needs. NMSU Community College Chancellor Mónica Torres also commended the finalists' experience and expertise, anticipating their ability to address a wide range of perspectives within the NMSU system.
Devasthali echoed the committee's call for active participation in the upcoming public phase of the selection process, encouraging individuals to attend the candidate forums or join online. Feedback from the campus community and the public is welcomed through an online form on the presidential search website or via email to regents@nmsu.edu.
The campus community and the public are urged to engage with the finalist candidates during their visits to NMSU, as this decision holds significant importance for the future of the university system and the people of New Mexico. For more information on NMSU’s presidential search, visit nmsu.edu/president-search.
