DEMING – Western New Mexico University has announced five finalists in its national search for the institution’s 16th president, marking a major step in the selection process as campus visitations and community forums get underway later this month.
University officials said the finalists were selected after an extensive and collaborative search led by the WNMU Presidential Search Committee. The candidates will visit the Silver City campus for interviews and opportunities to engage with students, faculty, staff, and community members. The WNMU Board of Regents is scheduled to meet March 17 to announce the next president, in compliance with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.
Interim President Chris Maples said choosing the university’s next leader is among the most important decisions facing the campus community. He noted the finalists emerged from a strong pool of candidates and each brings leadership experience and a vision aligned with WNMU’s role as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and its emphasis on applied liberal arts education.
According to the search committee, the process was designed to be transparent, ethical, and inclusive, with input from across the university community. Committee representatives emphasized that finalist selections were made collectively by committee members, with particular attention given to student needs and long-term institutional goals.
The finalists represent a range of backgrounds in higher education leadership. Jose E. Coll currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Oregon University, where his work has focused on student success and support for veterans. Cameron Braxton Wesson is provost and vice president for academic affairs at La Salle University and brings experience in curriculum development and student retention initiatives. Carlos Rey Romero, an associate vice president at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, has worked extensively in New Mexico’s higher education and research landscape, including economic development efforts.
Also among the finalists is Sharon A. Jones, vice chancellor for academic affairs and a professor of engineering at the University of Washington Bothell, whose career has centered on bridging STEM education with the liberal arts. Mario Martinez, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Fort Lewis College, is known for his work in institutional innovation, including the use of emerging technologies and strategies to address equity gaps in rural education.
University officials encourage the campus and broader community to participate in the visitation process, either in person or through available livestream options, as WNMU moves closer to selecting its next president.