Photo Credit: WNMU
DEMING – The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents has officially appointed Jose Coll, Ph.D., as the institution’s 16th president following a hybrid meeting held Tuesday in Silver City.
Coll, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and current provost at Western Oregon University, will assume the role on July 1, 2026. He will serve under a three-year contract that includes an automatic two-year extension upon successful completion of his first year. The agreement includes a $310,000 annual salary and a full benefits package.
During the meeting, Coll briefly addressed regents and the university community, emphasizing a leadership approach focused on collaboration, listening, and meeting the evolving needs of students and the workforce. He also expressed appreciation for the presidential search committee and Interim President Christopher Maples for guiding the university through the transition period.
“My first role is to listen, learn, and collaborate with all stakeholders,” Coll said, adding that the university should serve as both a steward of regional identity and a driver of opportunity.
Coll plans to visit the Silver City campus several times ahead of his official start date to begin transition planning and connect with students, faculty, and staff.
The Board of Regents also moved forward on a potential campus expansion project involving the acquisition of the 6th Street School. The facility is being considered for use as a center for early childhood development and professional programs. University officials say the purchase would be significantly more cost-effective than constructing a new building.
Regents authorized the university to begin negotiations and approved a motion allowing Maples to finalize the deal, with a public meeting on the project expected in the near future.
The meeting concluded after an opportunity for public comment. A recording of the session will be made available on the university’s Board of Regents video archive.
The date for the next Board of Regents meeting has not yet been announced.