Hobbs, NM – “On behalf of the New Mexico Junior College Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce that we have begun the search to identify the next President of New Mexico Junior College. We are fully committed to conducting an equitable, inclusive, and transparent national search that will attract a strong and diverse pool of candidates from throughout New Mexico and the nation.” said NMJC Board Chair, Travis Glenn. 

The Board of Directors has named Erica Jones as Chairman of the Search Committee. The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has been selected to assist us with the Presidential search process. ACCT’s assistance will include providing support with the development of the Presidential Profile, recruiting highly competitive candidates, and working extensively with the College and the Board of Directors. ACCT has conducted over 750 community college searches and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our process. ACCT’s mission is to strengthen community college governance through education and advocacy.  Susan Moore-Fontenot and Dr. Bill Holda will serve as our ACCT Search Consultants and will assist the College throughout this important process (bios are at: Susan Moore-Fontenot, M.Ed. – ACCT Searches and William M. “Bill” Holda, Ed.D. – ACCT Searches). 

Presidential Profile Development: Public Forums & Survey

An important step in the Presidential search process is the development of a Presidential Profile. On October 7, we will host three (3) Public Forums to listen to your input, which will assist with the development of the Presidential Profile. The entire College community is invited and encouraged to participate in a discussion about the qualities, characteristics, and qualifications we are seeking in the next President of New Mexico Junior College, and the opportunities and challenges facing the College in the years to come. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Presidential search process. The discussions will be facilitated by Susan Moore-Fontenot and Dr. Bill Holda, ACCT Search Consultants. 

We invite everyone to attend the one-hour Public Forums on October 7, 2026:

·         9:00 AM - Watson Hall Auditorium

·         12:00 PM - Watson Hall Auditorium

·         4:00 PM - Watson Hall Auditorium

Please share the forum information with those who have an interest in New Mexico Junior College and wish to attend. No RSVP is needed. 

In addition to the Public Forum, we have developed a brief electronic survey that we hope you will complete if you are unable to attend one of the forums. The anonymous responses to the survey will also be used to inform the development of the draft Presidential Profile. 

The survey is available using the QR Code or by clicking on the link below: 

                    

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H338G58 

The main themes from the survey comments will be summarized in a draft profile which the NMJC Presidential Search Committee will review and will be shared with the Board of Directors who will finalize the Presidential Profile.

For those attending forums at 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM, please submit your survey feedback no later than 2:00 PM MST (Mountain Standard Time) and for participants attending the 4:00 PM forum, please submit your survey feedback no later than 7:00 PM MST on October 7, 2026.

The Presidential Search Committee

The Presidential Search Committee will review the confidential applications, interview confidential semi-finalist candidates, and identify the final candidates to be forwarded to the Board of Directors for consideration. The Board appointed Presidential Search Committee includes internal and external representatives who bring perspectives from the college, industry, and the school districts NMJC serves.  Search Committee Members include Board of Directors Erica Jones (Search Committee Chair), Manny Gomez and Evelyn Rising; NMJC Faculty and Senate Members Albert Scott Keenan, Larchinee Turner, Kathleen Ferrell, and Kelly Rueda; Community Representatives Zach Souter, Kelly Holladay, and Bradley Bishop; and K-12 Public Education Superintendents Brian Synder (Jal), Bruce Hatch (Eunice) and Gene Strickland (Hobbs).

Final Candidates

All final candidates will participate in open forums at New Mexico Junior College, and the finalists will interview with the Board of Directors. We anticipate the open forums taking place in late March and we will provide the dates, times, and location once they are confirmed. All employees, students, and community members will be invited to attend the open forums and complete feedback forums which will be reviewed as part of the deliberation process. 

Recruitment

Our recruitment efforts will involve an open and thorough national search, seeking qualified candidates from all regions of the country. ACCT specializes in one-to-one recruitment of community college leaders. Additionally, to assist with this process, advertisements will be placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other major publications and websites. 

Presidential Search Webpage  

The New Mexico Junior College website will include information on all aspects of the search. The Presidential search webpage will be developed in the coming weeks and will include key information including: Timeline, Presidential Profile, and information on How to Apply. 

We will continue to keep you updated on this important process. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to either of our ACCT Search

Consultants: 

• Susan Moore-Fontenot, ACCT Search Consultant, at smfontenot@gmail.com or 
  (832) 597-4951
• Dr. Bill Holda, ACCT Search Consultant, at wmholda@gmail.com or (903) 987-3332
   

We value your input and participation in the process and assure you of our commitment to finding the very best leader for NMJC.  

 

 

About: New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is a leading educational institution committed to providing success through learning and high-quality education to its diverse student body. Founded in 1965, NMJC offers a wide range of academic programs, certifications, and services to empower students to achieve their educational and career goals.

Contact: Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, New Mexico Junior College, 575-492-2780, vgauna@nmjc.edu or Travis Glenn, Chair, Board of Directors, New Mexico Junior College