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Four Finalists Continue WNMU Presidential Search After One Withdraws

Grace Tackman
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Four Finalists Continue WNMU Presidential Search After One Withdraws

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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.

Bernalillo County Shifts to New IPRA Portal, Sets Feb 27 Shutdown of Old System

Juan Oliveros
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Bernalillo County Shifts to New IPRA Portal, Sets Feb 27 Shutdown of Old System

Bernalillo County residents will soon have a new online platform for filing public records requests. County officials will phase out the current system to boost transparency and response times.

The public can submit and monitor Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) requests through the JustFOIA portal starting March 2. Officials say the new system aims to streamline submissions, shorten response times, improve tracking, and increase visibility in handling public records requests.

The county’s existing IPRA request portal, NextRequest, will permanently close at noon on February 27, 2026. A replacement system, JustFOIA, will officially launch on March 2, 2026.

The county will continue to process all IPRA requests filed through NextRequest until they are completed before the February 27 shutdown.

Once the new system goes live, additional details and a link to the JustFOIA portal will be made available on the Bernalillo County website.

School to Host Stephen Vladeck for Dennis Chavez Lecture on Saving the Supreme Court

Juan Oliveros
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School to Host Stephen Vladeck for Dennis Chavez Lecture on Saving the Supreme Court

The University of New Mexico School of Law will bring a leading constitutional law scholar to campus to talk on the future of the US Supreme Court.

The school will host the U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez Endowed Lectureship on Law and Civil Rights. It features Stephen I. Vladeck, the nation’s recognized scholar on federal courts, constitutional law, and national security.

Vladeck is Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Federal Courts at Georgetown University Law Center. He is the author of The Shadow Docket, which offers a closer look at the US Supreme Court’s emergency decision-making process.

Vladeck has argued cases before the Supreme Court of the United States and federal appellate courts. He is a legal analyst in national media. His lecture, titled “The Court We Need: Why the Supreme Court is Worth Saving, Especially from Itself,” will discuss relevant questions such as judicial power, institutional legitimacy, and constitutional governance.

The event begins at 5 pm, followed by the lecture at 5:30 pm at the UNM School of Law Forum. It is open to the public and offers 1.5 general continuing legal education credits.

The annual lectureship is in honor of Dennis Chavez, a native of New Mexico. From humble beginnings in Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood, he rose to become the only Hispanic US senator when he began public service in 1935. Chavez was a champion of civil and human rights, conservation efforts, rural electrification, and protections for Indigenous communities in the Senate for nearly 30 years.

The lectureship, established in his name, brings prominent voices in law and public service to UNM every year. It has become an avenue for public dialogue on civil rights, democracy, and the role of the courts.

Weak in Math? Newly Passed Senate Bill 29 Seeks to Help

Grace Tackman
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Weak in Math? Newly Passed Senate Bill 29 Seeks to Help

Math giving you a hard time? A newly passed bill aims to help struggling students.

The New Mexico Legislature passed Senate Bill 29 (SB 29), bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen math instruction. It seeks to improve student outcomes in public schools across the state. 

SB 29 creates a comprehensive framework to improve math teaching and learning, including:

  • stronger preparation requirements for educators, 
  • expanded professional development, and
  • early identification of students who may need additional support in mathematics. 

Starting in the 2027–2028 school year, schools must administer a statewide math screening for all kindergarten through third-grade students. This screening will help identify learning challenges early and ensure timely, targeted intervention. 

In line with this initiative, families will receive regular updates about their child’s progress and available support.   

SB 29 Aims to Support Math Teachers, Too

SB 29 mandates the New Mexico Public Education Department to develop a statewide Mathematics Instructional Leadership Framework. It will guide high-quality instruction and offer structured support for teachers and school leaders. 

“Strong math skills open doors for students, from college readiness to career opportunities in high-demand fields,” said Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla. She said the bill ensures New Mexico students receive the high-quality teaching and early support they need to succeed.

This legislation demonstrates a collaborative effort among lawmakers, educators, and stakeholders. It aims to address persistent achievement gaps and build a stronger academic foundation for all students.

How are New Mexico Students Are Performing in Math?

Source NM reported in July 2025 that only about one in four New Mexico students is proficient in math, according to a brief from the Legislative Education Study Committee. 

LESC Deputy Director Jessica Hathaway said low math proficiency in New Mexico is evident nationwide. She discussed the matter during a meeting with the committee at New Mexico Highlands University. 

Hathaway said math proficiency peaks in fifth grade in New Mexico, with 32% proficiency rate. However, the line drops right after that point. “By the end of middle school, in eighth grade, we see a 19% proficiency rate across all student groups. And by 11th grade, we see a 12% proficiency rate across all student groups.”

The brief provided recommendations for the state Legislature, the New Mexico Public Education Department, teacher preparation programs, and school districts. These include:

  • the state codifying expectations for math instruction, screening, and intervention; 
  • PED revising teacher licensure requirements; 
  • preparation programs requiring math methods coursework for all licensure pathways; 
  • and districts investing in math coaches or interventionists and engaging parents as partners in students’ learning.

DPS Secretary Mourns Death of Deputy After Tractor-Trailer Pins Him Under Cruiser During a Traffic Stop

Juan Oliveros
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DPS Secretary Mourns Death of Deputy After Tractor-Trailer Pins Him Under Cruiser During a Traffic Stop

Cabinet Secretary Jason R.Bowie of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety mourned the death of a sergeant from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, the statement issued on Tuesday, February 24, said.

Bowie said he was heartbroken by the death of Sgt. Michael Schlattman. He described the fallen officer as courageous and deeply committed to serving his community.

Schlattman died Monday after a tractor-trailer rear-ended his patrol unit, pinning him beneath it during a traffic stop. The fallen officer was conducting a stop shortly before 5 pm on Interstate 40 eastbound near the 170, according to a sheriff’s office statement posted on social media.

Officials said a tractor-trailer slammed into the rear of the vehicle as he stepped outside his cruiser. Schlattman was trapped underneath the vehicle when the impact pushed the cruiser forward. Responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

Bowie extended his condolences to the officer’s family, friends, and fellow officers. The department stands in solidarity with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. He called Schlattman’s death an incredibly difficult time.

“Sergeant Schlattman served with professionalism and dedication,” Bowie said. He urged the public to keep the officer’s loved ones in their thoughts and prayers.

The Police are on a Manhunt for 2 Suspects Accused of Shooting a State Trooper During a Traffic Stop. Warns Public to Stay Indoors, Be Alert.

Juan Oliveros
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The Police are on a Manhunt for 2 Suspects Accused of Shooting a State Trooper During a Traffic Stop. Warns Public to Stay Indoors, Be Alert.

Police have launched a manhunt for a man and a woman accused of shooting at a state trooper during a traffic stop along U.S. Highway 285 near Fort Sumner.

Investigators said the suspects are in a gray Kia with a Texas license plate XMX8165. The police have released photos showing an unidentified bearded man pointing a rifle during the traffic stop. He was wearing a red T-shirt, a black beanie, and sunglasses.

The police, however, identified the woman as Makaela Johnson, who has the word “Loyalty” tattooed above her right eyebrow. Johnson faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, harboring a felon, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, escape from an officer, and larceny.

The shooting incident happened Monday evening, February 23, near milepost 185 in eastern New Mexico, authorities said in social media posts. However, the trooper was unharmed.

Police called on residents in the Fort Sumner area to remain indoors, lock their doors, and be alert for suspicious persons. The search for the suspects has continued into Tuesday morning, February 24.

Police advised the public not to approach the suspects. Call 911 immediately for any information about their whereabouts, the police said.

The state ranked second in the United States for assaults per capita against law enforcement officers, according to 2023 data reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Encounters such as shooting, stabbing, and physical assault against officers are more common in New Mexico than in other states.

‘High Quality, Consistent’ Services Await Students with Disabilities Through Senate Bill 64

Grace Tackman
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‘High Quality, Consistent’ Services Await Students with Disabilities Through Senate Bill 64

In a move to strengthen support for students with disabilities, the New Mexico Legislature passed Senate Bill 64 (SB 64). The landmark legislation aims to improve and modernize special education services across the state.  

SB 64 establishes the Special Education Act within the New Mexico Public School Code. It also codifies the Office of Special Education (OSE) within the New Mexico Public Education Department. 

The bill creates the role of deputy secretary for special education, who will report directly to the public education secretary. The deputy secretary will spearhead efforts to help ensure students with disabilities receive high-quality, consistent services. This measure codifies the OSE in statute, securing the office’s permanence and continuity after operating under executive order since 2023.

Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla said SB 64 represents a milestone to guarantee high-quality, consistent support for students with disabilities. “By strengthening statewide leadership and modernizing our special education systems, we are building a more equitable and responsive framework for students, families, and educators across New Mexico,” she said in a news release. 

What are the key provisions of SB 64? 

SB 64 establishes a clear statewide framework for special education services and support. It aims to improve outcomes for students with disabilities from early childhood through college and career.  

Additionally, the bill creates the Office of Special Education and a deputy secretary for special education. This ensures equity, compliance, stable statewide services, and enforcement of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and state special education law. 

The measure also requires the OSE to develop and maintain a uniform online system for individualized education programs. This system, used by all school districts and charter schools, will improve consistency, compliance, progress monitoring, and transparency. 

Further, SB 64 aligns state law with federal requirements and ensures stability and consistency of services for students with disabilities.  

The bill also updates statutory definitions and incorporates best practices to enhance support for students exhibiting characteristics such as dyslexia. It aims to streamline special education law within the broader New Mexico Public School Code.  

SB 64 is a major step in strengthening educational equity and outcomes for New Mexico’s students with disabilities. It will take effect on July 1, 2026. 

‘Why Should I Be Ashamed?’: Why it Matters as Lawmakers Reopen Painful History of Forced Sterilization of Native women

Juan Oliveros
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‘Why Should I Be Ashamed?’: Why it Matters as Lawmakers Reopen Painful History of Forced Sterilization of Native women

A decades-old pain and injustice resurfaced. This time, in the halls of government, after the lawmakers have approved a measure directing the state Indian Affairs Department and the Commission on the Status of Women to look into forced and coerced sterilization of Native American women by the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the 1970s. The practice, according to survivors and advocates, still casts a long shadow on them.

The review will investigate the history, scope, and lasting impact of the procedures. A report to the governor is due by 2027.

Roybal Caballero, a Democrat from Albuquerque, is a member of the Piro-Manso-Tiwa tribe. She has a story of being nearly sterilized without consent. Caballero broke her silence during an interim committee hearing last year after she heard other women share similar experiences.

“It gave me courage to speak up on their behalf,” said Caballero. She sponsored House Memorial 32, calling for a review of the impacts of forced sterilization of Indigenous women and women of color.

The Senate has also passed a mirror effort, Senate Memorial 14. Memorials don’t have the force of law. But their effects could lead to action.

State Senator Linda Lopez, one of the sponsors of the measure, in an AP report, said, New Mexico needs to understand the atrocities that took place within the borders of our state.

A story that refuses to fade

Survivors and advocates are sharing their testimonies in response to renewed calls for accountability. One of them is Jean Whitehorse, a citizen of the Navajo Nation.

Whitehorse was brought to the IHS hospital in Gallup, New Mexico, for a ruptured appendix in 1972. She was 22 and had just given birth. While in severe pain, she said a nurse handed her consent forms moments before surgery.

The nurse, she claimed, held the pen in her hand and let her sign on a line.

Years later, she had difficulty conceiving. She discovered that a tubal ligation had been performed on her during that hospitalization.

“Each time I tell my story, it relieves the shame, the guilt,” Whitehorse said in recent public testimony. “Now I think, why should I be ashamed? It’s the government that should be ashamed of what they did to us.”

Her story amplifies calls for a formal apology and deeper investigation.

What we know — and what we don’t

A 1976 audit by the U.S. Government Accountability Office revealed that between 1973 and 1976, the IHS sterilized some 3,406 women across four of its 12 service areas, including Albuquerque.

Investigators found that some patients were under 21. And that many of the consent forms they signed did not meet the federal informed consent requirements.

The audit, however, did not include interviews of the women who underwent the procedures. Advocates argue the true number of victims — and its impact many years after — remains unknown.

A broader reckoning

New Mexico is not the first state to have had to confront histories of reproductive injustice.

In 2023, Vermont created a truth and reconciliation commission to review forced sterilizations of indigenous groups. The state of California in 2024 began paying compensation to individuals sterilized without prior consent in state institutions.

Sterilization trauma passed down

Retired IHS physician Dr. Donald Clark said the legacy of legalization has influenced the reproductive health decisions today.

He told lawmakers that he has treated young women seeking contraception who had fears of irreversible sterilization because of stories from their mothers and grandmothers.

“It’s still an issue that is affecting women’s choice of birth control today,” Clark said.

Rachael Lorenzo of Indigenous Women Rising said the investigation must avoid retraumatizing families. It must center on survivors.

NMSU selects Karen Kopera-Frye as Graduate School Associate Dean

Grace Tackman
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NMSU selects Karen Kopera-Frye as Graduate School Associate Dean

New Mexico State University (NMSU) named Karen Kopera-Frye as associate dean of the Graduate School. Kopera-Frye assumes her new role starting February 23. 

Kopera-Frye expressed that she feels honored and humbled to join NMSU’s Graduate School.  “I look forward to collaborating with our interdisciplinary faculty and students to help position the Graduate School as a premier center for promoting graduate student success and academic partnerships, particularly with our tribal and community business partners.”

As associate dean, Kopera-Frye aims to expand interdisciplinary programming. She plans to explore the development of a graduate gerontology certificate and degree program at NMSU. 

“There are many opportunities to enhance student social mobility and workforce development through the collaborative creation of graduate stackable credentials and innovative specialization training,” Kopera-Frye said.

Ranjit T. Koodali, dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for interdisciplinary studies, welcomed Kopera-Frye to the Graduate School with delight.

“Dr. Kopera-Frye brings extensive administrative experience, including 18 years in advanced leadership roles such as associate dean of academics and research, as well as institutional knowledge and Faculty Senate leadership that will help raise the visibility of graduate education at NMSU,” he said. 

Kopera-Frye’s Career Journey 

Kopera-Frye joined NMSU in 2016 and is a professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences. She has served in numerous leadership roles. She chaired the Faculty Senate Access, Opportunity and Outreach Committee, joined the Faculty Senate Leadership Committee, and was a member of the President’s Task Force on Federal and State Initiatives. 

Additionally, Kopera-Frye has served on the Provost Search Committee, the Federal and State Government Initiatives – Overall EID Impacts Committee, and the Inclusive Practices at a Land-Grant University Task Force. 

Kopera-Frye earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in developmental and clinical psychology from Wayne State University. She also earned a master’s degree in public administration from NMSU. She completed graduate specialist training in gerontology. Her research focuses on aging, caregiving and cultural values among Latinx and Indigenous families.

Moreover, Kopera-Frye developed an HEST interprofessional course that supports peer mentoring among undergraduate and graduate students. She has coordinated the undergraduate and graduate gerontology minor in the Department of Public Health Sciences. 

Kopera-Frye is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Gerontological Society of America and the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. She is certified as an advanced-level mentor through the University of New Mexico Mentoring Institute. 

This year, she was selected to serve a four-year term as editor-in-chief of Gerontology & Geriatrics Education. This journal is published by the Gerontological Society of America. She was also chair-elect of the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, a division of the Gerontological Society of America. 

‘Ideas Moving Both Ways’: UNM Officially Inks Deal with Osaka Metropolitan University

Grace Tackman
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‘Ideas Moving Both Ways’: UNM Officially Inks Deal with Osaka Metropolitan University

University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Anderson School of Management announced its partnership with Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU). 

It recently formalized an agreement with OMU to ensure credit transfers for doctoral students in Osaka’s Future Innovators Development Program. UNM News reported that the international collaboration strengthens both institutions’ relationships and creates new opportunities for sustained global partnership.

Through the agreement, doctoral students from Osaka can spend one semester at Anderson. They will complete 12 credit hours in the Master of Science in Project Management or Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Business Analytics programs. 

After returning to Osaka, students may complete the remainder of their master’s degree online. This allows them to earn a doctoral degree from OMU and a master’s degree from Anderson.

Additionally, the partnership includes a commitment for an Anderson faculty member to teach one course in Osaka each summer. The agreement guarantees credit transfer for the next five years, providing stability and continuity for participating students.

The general cooperation agreement was facilitated by:

  • Nicole Tami, executive director of Global Education Initiatives; 
  • UNM President Garnett Stokes; and 
  • Anderson leadership, including Dean Alina Chircu, Associate Dean Reilly White, Matthew Vallejos, Graduate Programs operations manager, and Rob DelCampo, senior executive director of Corporate and Community Engagement (CCE). 

Toshiyuki Matsui, vice president of International Affairs, and faculty members Yong-Gu Shim and Eri Hoshi, represented OMU.

UNM Officials Explain the Advantage of the Agreement with OMU

Anderson Associate Dean Reilly White said the partnership is about people. 

“Students coming to Anderson, faculty going to Osaka, and ideas moving both ways. It’s a powerful way to give our students and faculty real, lived global experience with OMU as an incredible partner,” said White.

Vallejos said both institutions collaborated closely, with advising staff and faculty coordinating to bring the agreement to fruition. “Our priority was to build a structure that was clear and student-centered from the start. We are not only welcoming talented students from Osaka Metropolitan University; we are also enriching our classrooms and strengthening our graduate programs.”

The agreement expands Anderson’s existing relationship with OMU, which was established through the Innovation Academy’s Entrepreneurship Workshop Week.

“This partnership directly supports the Anderson School of Management’s external engagement strategic pillar by institutionalizing sustained international collaboration, deepening industry and academic ties abroad, and positioning our school as a proactive global partner,” said Chircu.

The partnership with OMU demonstrates a shared commitment to innovation and impact in graduate education. Both institutions aim to create a future defined by continued cooperation, shared discovery, and global leadership development.

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