Western New Mexico University Seeks Input for New President

Western New Mexico University is set to conduct two public town hall sessions this week, aimed at gathering community input on the desired qualities and priorities for the institution’s next president. This initiative follows the resignation of President Joseph Shepard, who stepped down amid a significant financial scandal. The town halls are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on July 29 and July 30, 2025, at the J. Cloyd Miller Library on the Silver City campus, with an option to participate via Zoom.

Community members will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the university as it embarks on its search for its 16th president. These sessions represent one of the initial steps to ensure that both the campus community and residents of Silver City play an active role in the selection process. Shepard’s resignation followed a state audit that uncovered more than $360,000 in improper spending by the university, including luxury travel and furnishings, as well as the use of a university credit card by his wife, former CIA officer Valerie Plame.

Ongoing Support for Students in New Mexico

In related educational news, Los Alamos Public Schools will continue providing free breakfast and lunch to all students for the 2025–26 school year. This policy has been in place since federal waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for universal meal access. The district collaborates with Chartwells Food Services to implement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Offer Versus Serve model, which gives students greater choice in their meals. Although meals are free, families are encouraged to complete the free and reduced-price meal application at schoolcafe.com. This submission helps secure additional funding for the schools and may qualify students for reduced fees.

Additionally, New Mexico Highlands University’s Facundo Valdez School of Social Work has been awarded $1.6 million, marking the largest allocation for social work in the state. This funding, part of a $3 million appropriation from the state Legislature, will expand scholarships and paid practicum opportunities for both bachelor’s and master’s students in social work at public and tribal colleges. Dean Anna Nelson stated that this support will alleviate financial burdens for working students and enhance the social work profession.

In a continued commitment to education, New Mexico Gas Co. has awarded $3,000 scholarships to 20 Native American students pursuing higher education or technical training. Recipients hail from ten tribal communities and are enrolled in programs at eleven educational institutions, including trade schools, colleges, and universities. These scholarships, which can be used for any education-related expenses, have been offered annually since 2011. The awards were presented at a banquet featuring guest speaker Notah Begay III, a professional golfer and founder of the NB3 Foundation.

Eligible scholarship recipients must be New Mexico residents and enrolled members of a New Mexico tribe, pueblo, or nation. Notable local recipients include Preston Lujan of Taos Pueblo, studying aerospace engineering at New Mexico State University; Hayle Trujillo of Nambe Pueblo, pursuing microbiology at the University of Arizona; and Margaret Quintana of Santo Domingo and Cochiti pueblos, who is studying nursing at the University of New Mexico.

These initiatives reflect a broader commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and addressing the needs of students within the New Mexico community.