The list drops from five to four university presidential candidates. Western New Mexico University (WNMU) announced today that Cameron Braxton Wesson, Ph.D., withdrew from consideration for the 16th president position.
WNMU, however, did not disclose Wesson’s reason for withdrawal. The university assured this development will not disrupt the scheduled plans in line with its search for the next president.
WNMU will proceed with the presidential search process with the remaining four distinguished finalists. Campus visits and community engagement sessions will continue as scheduled for the other candidates.
Upcoming Events for WNMU Presidential Candidates
The four finalists and their public meet-and-greets, according to WNMU:
- Jose E. Coll, Ph.D. (Western Oregon University): Dr. Coll currently serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Western Oregon University. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he has focused his career on student success and veteran transition. He previously held leadership roles at Portland State University and the University of Southern California.
- Visitation Date: February 25, 2026, with a public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or through a livestream at https://wnmu.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Sessions/List.aspx?folderID=7d142a49-f090-4143-803d-b3f4016181b0.
- Carlos Rey Romero, Ph.D. (New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology): Dr. Romero is an Associate Vice President at New Mexico Tech. He has extensive experience within the New Mexico higher education and governmental landscape. His background includes leadership in economic development and research at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC).
- Visitation Date: February 27, 2026, with a public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or through a livestream at https://wnmu.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Sessions/List.aspx?folderID=7d142a49-f090-4143-803d-b3f4016181b0.
- Sharon A. Jones, Ph.D. (University of Washington Bothell): Dr. Jones is the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and a Professor of Engineering at UW Bothell. A first-generation college student and a licensed Professional Engineer, she has a background in bridging STEM with the liberal arts. Jones also served as a dean at the University of Portland.
- Visitation Date: March 3, 2026, with a public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or through a livestream at https://wnmu.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Sessions/List.aspx?folderID=7d142a49-f090-4143-803d-b3f4016181b0.
- Mario Martinez, Ph.D. (Fort Lewis College): Dr. Martinez serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Fort Lewis College. His work emphasizes institutional innovation, particularly in integrating artificial intelligence with inclusive learning and addressing equity gaps in rural education.
- Visitation Date: March 4, 2026, with a public meet and greet from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the J. Cloyd Miller Library, or through a livestream at https://wnmu.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Sessions/List.aspx?folderID=7d142a49-f090-4143-803d-b3f4016181b0.
Next WNMU President Still To Be Announced on March 17
“WNMU and the Regents remain fully confident in the strength and diversity of our finalist pool,” said Board of Regents Treasurer and co-chair of the Presidential Hiring committee, Dean Reed, Board of Regents’ Treasurer and co-chair of the presidential hiring committee. “Our priority is to ensure a transparent and thorough selection process that identifies a leader dedicated to the unique mission of WNMU and the success of our students. We look forward to the upcoming campus visits and highly value the input we will receive from our community members during this final stage.”
The WNMU Board of Regents is still set to convene on March 17, 2026, to announce the university’s next leader. This is in accordance with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.
WNMU encourages all stakeholders to attend these public sessions, either in person or via livestream. Participants can help shape the university’s future by providing feedback on the final candidates.
In September 2025, WNMU launched a comprehensive nationwide search for its next president.
The president serves as the university’s chief executive officer and reports directly to the WNMU Board of Regents. The new president will lead the university through a pivotal period of renewal and growth, ensuring its sustainability and mission in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.
