Scott Smith, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Mathematics Education

Dr. Scott Smith is beginning his fourth year at Western New Mexico University. He has a doctorate degree in mathematics education and an M.S. degree in instructional technology. He teaches a variety of mathematics courses online, including several designed to support the mathematics content knowledge of education majors who are studying to become teachers. Dr. Smith enjoys teaching online courses, developing and making instructional videos for his online courses, and finding new ways to improve the effectiveness of online teaching.

Margarita Wulftange, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, School of Education

Dr. Wulftange, who is from California, has deep roots in the field of education because both of her parents are lifelong educators. She received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and French from UC-San Diego and then obtained a K-8 teaching endorsement from the Multilingual-Multicultural Center at CSU-Sacramento. As a bilingual educator, she taught in elementary and high schools in California and Oregon for many years. She later obtained a master’s degree in Cultural Perspectives of Education and a doctorate in Language, Culture and Literacy from UC-Santa Barbara. She has been teaching at WNMU since 2008. Online education appeals to her because it allows students from all walks of life to access quality educational opportunities, providing a positive way for diverse student populations to meet their educational goals.

Jim Pendergast, M.F.A.

Associate Professor, Photography

Miguel A. Vicéns, D.E.D.

Associate Dean, School of Business

Dr. Vicéns brings 18 years of international business and entrepreneurship expertise to WNMU. He earned both his Bachelor in Industrial Management and MBA from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. His professional experience includes four years in entrepreneurship and small business administration and thirteen years in international trade, non-profit organization administration, and public-private partnerships. In 2013 he completed his Doctor of Economic Development (D.E.D.) at New Mexico State University, a unique  program that provides both academic and professional training, with an emphasis in economic development. Under Dr. Vicens’ leadership, the School of Business has increased the number of online offerings for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. He designs his courses with the student’s accessibility in mind; there are options to take his courses online, hybrid or in the classroom.  His research interests include economic development, entrepreneurship, international trade, multicultural business, sustainable development, business management and operations.