PRESS RELEASES

Firm Launches Website in Search for NMSU’s Next Chancellor

LAS CRUCES, NM, January 22, 2018 – A website outlining the expectations and requirements for New Mexico State University’s next chancellor has been launched by Wheless Partners, an executive search and leadership consulting firm.

Applications and anonymous referrals may be submitted through the website, www.nmsuchancellorsearch.com.

“We’re continuing to work with Wheless Partners to actively solicit candidates to be our next chancellor,” said Mike Cheney, who chairs the university’s chancellor search committee. “We want to go after people who may not even be thinking of switching jobs at this time but who might be the perfect fit for NMSU. We also want to make sure we find the right person who understands the culture and diversity of our region.”

The website outlines the role of the next NMSU Chancellor, who will: work tirelessly to lead NMSU on its road to excellence; embrace the Board of Regents performance management objectives; and advance the 6 Pillars of the Board’s Vision 2020 Priorities — enrollment, retention, graduation, placement, research and giving.

“The state of higher education is much different than it was even 20 years ago and is expected to continue a rapid transformation over the coming years,” Cheney said. “In light of increased competition, elevated attention to student value, reduced funding for research dollars, a push for a more efficient delivery model and continued funding challenges, this search must be conducted differently. We will solicit candidates equipped to help NMSU prosper in the coming decade as opposed to merely reviewing applications we receive.”

In addition to the website, the firm produced a brochure to complement the search effort. Both the website and brochure detail NMSU’s qualities and highlight the expectations, priorities, qualifications, attributes and key attractors for the next chancellor. The website and brochure also tout Las Cruces and the region as an attractive place to live and work.

Early in the search process, individual members of the Board of Regents had one-on-one conversations with a broad set of stakeholders including students, faculty, staff, administrators, donors and business leaders, as well as leaders from high-performing higher education institutions.

Board members then facilitated six statewide listening sessions, broadcast sessions through webinar, and met with NMSU’s community college advisory boards during each visit. More than 400 people representing the interests of the institution and the state attended these listening sessions and provided significant input.

A 19-member search committee was formed late last year to help with selecting the university’s next chancellor and includes members both internal and external to NMSU. Wheless Partners has been actively recruiting candidates for consideration. Finalists will be brought to campus in April and the new chancellor will begin the term of office on July 1.

About Wheless Partners

Founded in 1986, Wheless Partners is one of the nation’s leading executive search firms with associates based in major cities across the country. Our team members are committed to establishing long-term strategic partnerships with clients—over 75% of our engagements come from existing clients. We provide an array of services including Executive Search, Leadership Consulting, Succession Planning, and Board Practice & Recruitment.

Contact:
Kevin Arvin
Wheless Partners
1800 448 0926 x 108,
kevin@whelesspartners.com