In a letter distributed on June 12 to the New Mexico Tech community, the Board of Regents announced the formation of a search committee, the first of several steps in selecting and hiring a new president after the resignation of Dr. Stephen Wells on May 1.

Wells’s contract expired in 2026 but he left the post early, citing health concerns.

The letter from Regent Dr. David Lepre and Regent Board President Jerry Armijo states that they are “fully committed to ensuring the search process is guided by transparency, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement.” To that end, they promise to “provide regular updates and share key documents related to the search.”

A higher education search consulting firm, Korn Ferry, has been hired to assist a 12-member committee in the search. One of their first tasks is to develop a detailed job description and release it to the public. This task is expected to be accomplished by mid-July.

Regents Lepre and Armijo will serve as committee co-chairs.

Representing the faculty on the committee are Dr. Aly El Osery, Dean of Graduate School, and Dr. Lorie Liebrock, Director Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. Student representatives are Dylan Purcell, GSA president and Dylan Schroeder, SGA president. The staff will be represented by Emma Aafloy, Associate Director of Budget, and Colleen Foster, Director of Advancement. Research representatives are Dr. Myrriah Tomar, Executive Director of Office of Innovation Commercialization, and Dr. Mike Timmons, Associate Director Bureau of Geology. Community/Alumnus/Donor representatives are Holm Bursum IV, President First State Bank and Donor, and Jeff Corey, Vice-President NMT Foundation and Alumnus.

Chieftain Staff Report