Institutional Accreditation Writing Teams
The journey toward reaffirmation of our institutional accreditation is a significant undertaking, a multi-year endeavor that demands meticulous planning, collaborative spirit, and a deep understanding of our institution’s strengths and aspirations. At the heart of this process lies the Assurance Argument (self-study), a comprehensive document that articulates how we meet rigorous criteria for accreditation.
This vital document is not created in isolation. It is the product of dedicated individuals who have committed their time, expertise, and passion to crafting a compelling narrative of our institution’s excellence. We are immensely grateful to the members of our NMSU Writing Team, whose commitment and collaborative spirit is instrumental in shaping this crucial argument.
The members of this team were carefully selected for their diverse perspectives, deep institutional knowledge, and writing skills. They represent a cross-section of our community, including faculty, staff, and administrators from the Las Cruces and Grants campuses that each bringing unique insights to the table. Their collective expertise ensures that the Assurance Argument reflects the breadth and depth of our institution's commitment to quality education and continuous improvement.
We recognize and celebrate the following individuals for their invaluable contributions.
Criterion 1. Mission
Membership of the Writing Team for Criterion 1.
Name |
Title |
Unit |
Gaylene Fasenko, Team Lead |
Professor, Animal and Range Science |
College of ACES |
Melissa Chavira |
Director of Marketing, Web & Brand Development |
Marketing and Communications |
Marissa Fowler |
Director of Academic Advising and Student Support |
Center for Academic Advising and Student Support |
Teresa Linda Scholz |
Vice President of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity |
Office of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity |
Winnie Lee |
Academic Department Head |
College of Business |
Alfred (Gene) Romero |
Professor |
NMSU Grants |
Criterion 2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
Membership of the Writing Team for Criterion 2.
Name |
Title |
Unit |
Adam Cavotta, Team Lead |
Chief of Staff |
Board of Regents |
Oladayo Bello |
Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology |
College of Engineering |
Anne Hubbell |
Professor, Communication Studies/Associate Dean |
College of HEST/Honors College |
Joseph Molina |
Director of Student Assistance Services |
Student Life |
Renita Hicks |
University Registrar |
University Student Records |
Denise Rodriguez-Strawn |
Director, Academic Effectiveness |
NMSU Global |
Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning for Student Success
Membership of the Writing Team for Criterion 3.
Name |
Title |
Unit |
Ryan Goss, Team Lead |
Faculty Fellow/Professor, Plant and Environmental Sciences |
Institutional Effectiveness/College of ACES |
Kate Terpis |
Associate Dean, Library and Information Science |
Library |
Gabrielle Martinez |
Associate Registrar, Curriculum Systems |
University Student Records Office |
Patrick Turner |
Associate Provost for Student Academic Success |
Office of the Provost |
Michael Ray |
Director |
American Indian Program |
Tony Marin |
Associate Vice President for Student Success & Enrollment Management |
Office of the Provost |
Oana Cimpean |
Associate Director |
Teaching Academy |
Carlos Carpio Ochoa |
Academic Department Head, Ag Economics and Ag Business |
College of ACES |
Juanita Hannan |
Co-Director, Research & Budgeting |
College of HEST |
Criterion 4. Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources, and Planning
Membership of the Writing Team for Criterion 4.
Name |
Title |
Unit |
Vanetta Busch, Team Co-Lead |
Director of Training & Development |
Human Resources Services |
Melody Munson-McGee, Team Co-Lead |
Special Assistance to the CIO |
Information Technology |
Christopher Brown |
Professor, Geography and Environmental Sciences / Faculty Senate Vice Chair |
College of Arts & Sciences |
Rachel Boren |
Director of Evaluation and Effectiveness |
College of HEST |
Patrick Clingman |
Vice President for Student Success |
NMSU Grants |
Kimberly Rumford |
Chief Budget Officer |
Budget Office |
Andrea Jimenez |
Associate Director of Financial Aid Fiscal Operations |
University Financial Aid and Scholarship Services |
Bárbara Gamillo |
Associate Professor, Engineering Technology |
College of Engineering |
Lori Montoya |
Director of Analytics & Decision Support |
Information Technology |