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Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) Places Inaugural Chief Marketing Officer Search at Central New Mexico Community College

(May 15, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Chris Pendleton securing the role of inaugural Chief Marketing Officer at Central New Mexico Community College.

Mr. Chris Pendleton earned his master’s degree in Communication from Johns Hopkins University and was Director of Marketing & Communications at Southern Virginia University before becoming Vice President of Marketing & Strategy in 2022. During his leadership, the liberal arts college experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment and national brand recognition and he led the development of the university’s new 10-year strategic plan. Chris will serve on CNM’s Strategic Executive Team and lead the Marketing & Communications Office. He will officially begin his leadership role at CNM on July 1.

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) has a rich history of growth and academic excellence since its founding in 1964 as Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute. Transitioning into a comprehensive community college, CNM gained degree-granting authority in 1986 and adopted its current name in 2006 to better reflect its expanding offerings. Over the last decade, CNM has consistently enrolled the largest undergraduate student body in the state, providing accessible education to over 30,000 students through associate degrees, certificate programs, and specialized licensures. Recognized nationally for its commitment to diversity, CNM ranks among the top two-year colleges in awarding degrees and certificates to Hispanic and Native American students. With a strong dedication to student success and workforce development, CNM continues to be a leading institution in higher education.

Affordable Excellence

Academic Career & Executive Search, a higher education focused search firm, specializes in affordable excellence, providing perfectly matched candidates to institutions quickly and accurately. Their methodologies, based on frequent touchpoints, pinpoint ideal candidates with speed and meticulous care resulting in highly successful placements.

They offer flexible service/pricing levels for all positions, ensuring affordability. Contact Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, at 860-740-2600 or Jennifer@ACESrch.com, or visit https://acesrch.com/.