President - New Mexico Junior College

The elected seven-member Board of Directors of New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) invites nominations and applications for a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the 8th President of New Mexico Junior College.

THE OPPORTUNITY

NMJC is a strong, comprehensive community college with a proud history, established strategic direction, significant community support and substantial opportunities for continued growth. The College is positioned for significant opportunities as the region experiences changing workforce needs, economic development, population and enrollment trends, major construction and capital projects, technological change and increasing demand for skilled workers.

THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE

NMJC seeks a leader who can balance:

• Stability without complacency
• Respect for tradition without resistance to change
• Vision without a personal agenda while aligning with the established Strategic Plan
• Growth with financial and strategic discipline
• Local understanding without parochialism
• A strong Board partnership with independent presidential leadership

The successful candidate will first understand NMJC's culture, strengths and direction, then build upon them. The President should be a humble steward—someone committed to leaving the College stronger, more unified and better prepared for the future.

THE PRESIDENT NMJC SEEKS

Integrity, Trust and Authentic Leadership

Integrity, honesty, transparency, fairness and trustworthiness were among the most consistently identified qualities in the community feedback. The President must demonstrate sound judgment, humility and accountability; treat people equitably; and have the courage to do what is right even when decisions are difficult or unpopular.

The President should be visible, approachable and accessible—a leader who listens before acting, communicates openly, knows the people of the College and creates an environment in which employees and students feel respected and heard.

A Unifying "One NMJC" Leader

One NMJC. One mission. One institutional strategy.

The next President must strengthen institutional unity and reduce silos among academics, workforce development, athletics, student services and administration, career and technical education, adult and noncredit education, entrepreneurship and community engagement. The NMJC leader should continue strengthening arts, culture, athletics, student life and campus experiences as part of being a comprehensive community college.

The President will:

• Understand how academic excellence, student success, workforce preparation and regional economic development reinforce one another.
• Align people and resources around student success
• Connect academic and workforce missions
• Build trust and collaboration across the institution
• Empower employees and administrators
• Establish accountability without unnecessary micromanagement

An Independent and Decisive Executive

The President must be an effective partner with the Board while maintaining appropriate presidential authority and judgment.

The successful candidate will communicate candidly with the Board, make difficult decisions, challenge assumptions when appropriate, and have the courage to challenge "we've always done it this way" when evidence supports change.

The President should be a partner to the Board.

A Strategic, Financially Responsible and Results-Oriented Executive

The President must be capable of managing the institution as effectively as leading it. Desired experience includes:

• Demonstrated financial stewardship, management, and resource allocation
• Enrollment, retention and student success
• Strategic planning and implementation
• Facilities and capital projects
• Organizational and personnel development
• Program evaluation and sustainability
• Disciplined management of institutional growth
• Demonstrated ability to use data, measurable outcomes and evidence to evaluate programs and make difficult institutional decisions.

NMJC seeks growth with purpose—expansion that responds to community needs while protecting long-term institutional strength.

A Regional and Community Leader

• The President should understand and embrace Lea County, Southeast New Mexico, and West Texas including its rural communities, economy, employers, schools and workforce needs.
• The President will build strong relationships with business and industry, K–12 partners, universities, government, legislators, community organizations, and alumni and become an active, respected member of the community.
• Regional experience is valuable, but being local is not a prerequisite. Candidates from outside the region should demonstrate the ability to quickly understand the community and become genuinely invested in NMJC and the people it serves.

PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT

Protect Financial and Institutional Strength

• Provide disciplined stewardship of finances, facilities, capital investments, personnel and programs while managing growth strategically.

  Advance Student Success

• Strengthen enrollment, recruitment, retention, completion, and placement in the workforce or transfer while responding to the changing needs and preparation of today's students.

  Lead Thoughtful Innovation

• Prepare NMJC for technological and workforce change—including artificial intelligence—while protecting academic integrity and educational quality

  Strengthen Institutional Unity

• Create a culture in which NMJC operates as one institution, with departments and divisions working together around student success

  Expand Workforce and Community Partnerships

• Ensure NMJC remains responsive to regional employers, industry, schools and emerging workforce needs.

  Develop People and Future Leaders

• Value institutional knowledge, invest in employees, strengthen succession planning and develop leadership throughout the College.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

• An earned Doctorate from an accredited college or university is strongly preferred, but the minimum qualification is a Master’s Degree.
• Three to Five years of demonstrated senior level administrative leadership experience in higher education at the collegiate level that demonstrates a commitment to collaboration with faculty, staff, and students.
• Community college classroom teaching experience is strongly preferred.