Take the Survey
As each finalist visits the Western New Mexico University campus, employees, students and community members are invited to share feedback through the Presidential Search Survey. Input gathered will provide valuable insight to the search committee and help inform the selection of the university’s 16th president. Please take a moment to complete the survey here.
This survey will close Wednesday, March 4 at 11:59 p.m.
Click on a candidate to learn more about their background and qualifications.
Jose E. Coll, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Western Oregon University
Education
- Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction
- Master of Social Work
Professional Experience
- Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs , Western Oregon University
- Dean and Professor of Social Work, Portland State University
- Interim Dean, College of Education, Portland State University
- Director, School of Social Work, Texas State University
Documents
Campus Visitation
February 25, 2026 — Public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or watch via livestream.
Sharon A. Jones, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Washington, Bothell
Education
- Ph.D., Engineering & Public Policy
- M.P.A, Public Works Policy
Professional Experience
- Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Washington, Bothell
- Dean, Shiley School of Engineering, University of Portland
- Engineering Division Director, Lafayette College
- Associate Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Documents
Campus Visitation
March 3, 2026 — Public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or watch via livestream.
Mario Martinez, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Fort Lewis College
Education
- Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
- Master of Business Administration
Professional Experience
- Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Fort Lewis College
- Nasland Endowed Dean, School of Education, University of Redlands
- Department Chair, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Texas as Arlington
- Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Innovation, National University System
Documents
Campus Visitation
March 4, 2026 — Public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or watch via livestream.
Carlos Rey Romero, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Research
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Education
- Ph.D. in Education Science and Leadership
- Master of Business Administration
Professional Experience
- Associate Vice President for Research, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
- Associate Vice President for Research and Compliance, University of New Mexico
- Director, Center of Education Policy Research, University of New Mexico
- Associate Vice President for Research Administration, University of New Mexico
Documents
Campus Visitation
February 27, 2026 — Public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or watch via livestream.
Search for a President
| First Name | Last Name | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| J. Dean | Reed | WNMU Regents |
| John | Wertheim | WNMU Regents |
| Kelley | Riddle | WNMU |
| Patricia | West | WNMU |
| Gregory | Robinson-Guerra | WNMU - Faculty Senate |
| Bartholomew | Brown | WNMU - Staff Senate |
| Carlos | Carranza | ASWNMU |
| Chris | Ponce | Grant County Commissioner |
| Ken | Ladner | Silver City Mayor |
| Bart | Roselli | Silver City Chamber of Commerce |
| William | Hawkins | Silver Consolidated Schools |
| Javier | Marrufo | LULAC |
| Evangeline | Zamora | WNMU Alumni Board |
| Randy | Gomez | WNMU - Facilities |
| April | Burt | WNMU - Student Life |
| Tanya | Rivers | WNMU Faculty |
| Courtney | Michaud | WNMU Faculty |
Since 1893, Western New Mexico University has been rooted in the heart of the southwest, nestled beside the 3.3 million-acre Gila National Forest and overlooking the historic town of Silver City.
As New Mexico's only public Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences university, one of the nation's original Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the region's premier hub for workforce training, WNMU equips students with the education, hands-on experience and in-demand skills needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow with confidence.