NMHU announces new President

Dr James Fries The New Mexico Highlands Board of Regents is pleased to announce its selection of Dr. James A. Fries as Highlands 17th President. The announcement was made at the Board’s monthly meeting held on December 16, 2006. Dr. Fries brings over 30 years of academic and administrative higher education experience and an impressive record of fundraising and leadership accomplishments.

Dr. Fries will begin his duties on January 22, 2007. He succeeds Manuel T. Pacheco who has been serving as Interim President since July 2006.

Statement by Dr. Jim Fries to New Mexico Highlands Board of Regents Click here.

Presidential Search Finalists

Dr. James Fries, President Emeritus College of Santa Fe, Executive Director of Grow Santa Fe Community College Foundation, former Interim President, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM

Presidential Search Committee

Leveo Sanchez, Chair
Miriam Langer, Vice Chair
Jesus L. Lopez
Geno Zamora
Andres Zamora
Estevan Rael-Galvez
Maureen Romine
Rosanna Vazquez
Robert Anaya
Placido Gomez
Angelina LaFebre
Brenda Fresquez

Complete Committe List and Contact Information >

Charge to the Presidential Search Committee

The Board of Regents is forming the Presidential Search Committee (the "Committee") for the purpose of assisting the Board in its national search for the most qualified candidates to be considered by the Board for President of New Mexico Highlands University. The Board extends its appreciation to the members of the Presidential Search Committee for the members' willingness to assume this important and demanding assignment and requests that the entire University community assist the Committee and the Board in this endeavor.

The Committee will be guided by the following charge:

The Committee members shall work diligently to attract, review, screen and recommend to the Board the best qualified candidates to meet the Board of Regents' goals. The Committee shall review all candidates presented to it and shall recommend to the Board of Regents which candidates should be considered by the Board as the ten (10) strongest candidates, and which of those should be considered by the Board as the five (5) finalists for the position.
The search will be conducted in a manner to ensure its integrity and to respect the rights and privacy of all candidates. To that end, each Committee member shall be required to sign a "Presidential Search Committee Code of Ethics" form. Any member of the Committee violating that code of ethics will be removed from the Committee by the Board.
The Committee and its members shall submit to the Presidential Search Consultant as soon as possible, but no later than October 15, 2006, the names of any prospective candidates that the Committee or its members believe would be suitable for the position. The Committee or any of its members shall also provide to the Presidential Search Consultant the names of any prospective candidates that are forwarded directly to the Committee or its members. Similarly, the Committee and its members shall assist the Presidential Search Consultant in conducting reference checks or collecting other background information on candidates. However, any such efforts shall only be made in coordination with the Presidential Search Consultant.
The Committee or any of its members shall assist the Presidential Search Consultant in contacting candidates if requested to do so. However, in order to avoid duplication of effort or confusion, the Committee and its members shall not make such contact unless so requested by the Presidential Search Consultant or the Chairman of the Board of Regents.
The Committee shall conduct a complete evaluation of all information with respect to those candidates that are forwarded to the Committee by the Search Consultant; shall make any additional requests for information about the candidates to the Search Consultant as deemed necessary by the Committee; and shall interview at least ten (10) of the strongest candidates in: closed session interviews. In order to expedite the interview, the Committee may conduct such interviews by telephone should the Committee so decide.
The Committee shall provide to the Board of Regents no later than November 17, 2006, an unranked list of no fewer than ten (10) qualified candidates as the strongest candidates, of which no fewer than five (5) shall be designated as recommended to be considered as among the five (5) finalists.
All decisions of the Committee, including the Committee's selection of applicants for these lists shall result from majority vote of the full Committee, except that the Regent member of the Committee shall not vote. Any questions regarding the Committee's role or procedures that cannot be resolved within the Committee shall be referred to the Chairman of the Board of Regents for resolution.
The Board of Regents, in its discretion, may consider any applicant for the position, whether or not designated by the Committee as among the ten (10) strongest candidates.
The Chair of the Committee will be designated by the Board of Regents.
Only the Chairman of the Board of Regents, or his designee, may issue periodic public reports on the progress of the search if such are helpful to the search.

Position Description and Criteria: New Mexico Highlands University President

The President serves as chief executive officer of the University and reports to the Board of Regents. The President is expected to exhibit the ability to effectively execute the Strategic Plan adopted by the Board of Regents in December 2003, and any subsequent modifications to the Plan; a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and public service; possess the ability to communicate the University's mission and goals to a broad constituency; and, to demonstrate an ability to raise the significant amounts of revenue required for the successful execution of the University's Strategic Plan. The University seeks a leader with the skills required to effectively manage the personnel, finances and facilities of a complex university in a multicultural environment.

The successful candidate will have most if not all of the following characteristics:

Earned degree (terminal degree, doctorate) in candidate's chosen field.
A commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public service, and graduate education in a learner-centered environment.
Distinguished executive-level experience in the public or private educational sector.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of constituencies including students, faculty, staff, alumni, governing boards, legislators and the public both on an individual and group basis.
Strong personal integrity and enthusiasm required to meet the rigorous demands placed on a university president.
The ability to relate to people of many backgrounds and educational levels in an effective manner, with a demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and global education.
An understanding of the needs of all students and a strong commitment to student support services and student co-curricular activities.
Understand and appreciate the role of community colleges, working in partnership with the University, in meeting the needs ofthe region and the state. . An understanding of shared governance.
A strong desire to develop innovative public and private partnerships in Northern New Mexico to improve public education and economic development at all levels.
Ability to increase resources for the institution from private and public sources.
The vision to lead the institution to be the premiere Hispanic Serving Institution in the country.
Spanish language competency, an understanding of the cultures of New Mexico, and a willingness to promote programs to enhance them.
A strong commitment to implement the institution's strategic plan and to suggest changes to it as needed.