Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Operations Kevin Matthes has officially retired.
In a news release, WNMU announced this new milestone for Matthes, an alumnus and longtime champion of the university.
As he begins another chapter, Matthes leaves behind a transformed WNMU campus, reflecting his commitment to infrastructure, aesthetics, and an employee-centric leadership philosophy.
How Matthes’ Journey at WNMU Started
Matthes shares a deeply personal connection to WNMU and Silver City. After his father retired and relocated the family from Hawaii to Silver City, Matthes found a home in the high desert.
He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration and MBA at WNMU. He began his professional journey at the university in 1992 as an applied technology recruiter. Before spending the bulk of his early career—34 years—working in the local mining industry.
In May 2018, Matthes returned to his alma mater to lead the Facilities and Operations department. He brought decades of industrial experience and a passion for WNMU and the Mustang community.
Matthes’ Leadership at WNMU
Under Matthes’ watch, the WNMU campus underwent a visible renaissance. He handled a team of 40 to 50 members across custodial, grounds, maintenance, and special projects. Matthes led both grand renovations and essential behind-the-scenes modernizations at WNMU.
During Matthes’ tenure, WNMU saw notable successes. This includes the renovation of College Avenue and the creation of the Mustang Fountain in Regents Square. Additionally, Matthes played a key role in developing the WNMU John Arthur and Janette Smith Educational Center. This is to expand healthcare programs in Deming, providing vital resources for first-generation students in nursing and healthcare.
On the athletics side, Matthes helped bring night games to WNMU. He installed field lights and upgraded the softball complex to a standard, drawing praise from visiting teams across the conference. Currently, his team is navigating the complex legislative and engineering phases of the Graham Gym renovation. Their next focus is the Fine Arts Center Theatre auditorium.
Despite the scale of these projects, Matthes led with empathy for the “invisible” work that sustains a university. “No one is going to thank you because their toilet flushes, but they will call you if there’s a problem,” Matthes said. “My team understands this and is diligent in servicing the campus.”
Matthes took charge during emergencies, notably during a “fire-watch” several years ago when alarms and safety systems failed. He worked 16-hour shifts alongside his crew to ensure campus safety. He eventually used the challenge as a catalyst to digitize the university’s monitoring systems with built-in redundancies.
Matthes’ Advice to His Successor
Matthes leaves a simple piece of advice for the next AVP, underscoring the trust within his team. “Get out on campus; meet people and generally get to know your team really well. Most importantly, trust your people to do the job you hired them to do.”
His successor will take over a more efficient campus, thanks to the push for standardization. This included streamlining six keying systems, implementing modern maintenance management software, and using underground “wand” technology to map century-old infrastructure.
After retiring, Matthes plans to tackle his long “to-do” list at home, including a Caribbean cruise and a Florida visit.