Academic Career & Executive Search Recruits Inaugural Chief Marketing Officer for Central New Mexico Community College
May 20, 2025 – Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has recruited Chris Pendleton as the inaugural chief marketing officer of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “I’m thrilled to have Chris joining our CNM leadership team,” said Tracy Hartzler, president. “He has proven experience at leveraging modern marketing strategies to significantly advance institutional goals, and he’s bringing a bold vision for elevating CNM’s brand to help us achieve our strategic plan goals. As a community college graduate, he has deep appreciation for the mission of community colleges and their increasing importance in today’s world. I also appreciate that his values strongly align with those of CNM, so I’m very encouraged about his ability to be an outstanding leader here and to help us expand our reach locally, regionally, and nationally.”
Most recently, Mr. Pendleton was director of marketing and communications at Southern Virginia University before becoming vice president of marketing and 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.
Mr. Pendleton will serve on Central New Mexico Community College’s strategic executive team and lead the marketing and communications office. He will officially begin his leadership role with the school on July 1.
“From my perspective, CNM represents the future of higher education – accessible, affordable, and accelerated,” Mr. Pendleton said. “As someone whose life was transformed by a two-year college, I resonate deeply with CNM’s mission, vision, and values. I’m honored to join the CNM community and excited to help share its powerful story with the world.”
Central New Mexico Community College 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.
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Based in West Hartford, CT, Academic Career & Executive Search focuses on executive search services, career planning, and candidate coaching. Specializing in challenging faculty to senior administrative positions, the firm offers six a la carte services spanning full search, candidate generation, interim, multi-hire, and contingency search. Candidate support services include webinars, career planning, and candidate coaching. Its team has served in virtually every capacity in higher education including president, vice president, provost, dean, chief human research officer, and faculty members across all types and sizes of institutions.
Ms. Muller has more than 20 years of research and development experience in higher education and Fortune 500 companies. She has led over 70 higher education searches both domestically and internationally spanning presidents, vice presidents, associate chancellors, deans, directors, chairs, and faculty level positions. Ms. Muller is former vice chair of the American Council on Education (ACE) Executive Search Roundtable and serves as an advisor in the numerous ACE leadership development forums.
Washtenaw Community College Search
Academic Career & Executive Search was recently tapped by Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI, to recruit the next chief external affairs officer. Reporting directly to the president, this position is responsible for the college’s overall strategy relating to government relations, brand awareness, public relations, reputation, marketing and communications. The chief external affairs officer leads the college’s comprehensive strategy for engaging with local, state, and federal government entities, as well as community-based organizations and civic leaders.
This position advances the college’s interests by fostering relationships with elected officials, governmental agencies, non-profit leaders, and key community stakeholders, advocating for policies, funding, and initiatives that support student success and community development.
Washtenaw Community College, established in 1965, has grown into one of the nation’s premier community colleges with an annual enrollment of more than 18,000 students in credit classes each year, and thousands more in economic and college development classes. The diverse student body includes more than 1,000 students from 100+ foreign countries.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
