NMSU Interim President
Dr. Jay Gogue has a long and distinguished career in higher education. He served as NMSU president from 2000-2003 and later served as president and chancellor of the University of Houston system from 2003-2007 and as president of Auburn University from 2007-2017 and again from 2019-2022. During the time Dr. Gogue spent at Auburn, the university continued to assert its status as a premier land-, sea- and space-grant university through research, academic rigor and national recognition.
Dr. Gogue holds a Ph.D. in horticulture from Michigan State University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from Auburn. He also served as provost at Utah State University from 1995-2000, vice president for research at Clemson University from 1986-1995, and vice president for agriculture and natural resources at Clemson University from 1993-1995.
NMSU Dean, College of Business
Dr. Bryan Ashenbaum began his duties as the dean of the NMSU College of Business on July 5, 2022. His most recent position was the associate dean for Curriculum and Graduate Programs in the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. He was previously the chair of the Department of Management, and before that, the director of the Miami Professional Institute for Management Education (PRIME) program. Prior to his academic career, he held various positions with Procter & Gamble, Honeywell, NIBCO, and Perrier. He also spent six years in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program, serving as a nuclear reactor operator and quality supervisor on the USS Bainbridge. He has been published in numerous academic journals such as the Journal of Supply Chain Management and the Journal of Business Logistics. He is currently the co-editor-in-chief of Transportation Journal. He holds numerous honors and awards for achievements, including outstanding professor awards for undergraduate and graduate teaching. Dr. Ashenbaum earned his Ph.D. in business administration from Arizona State University in 2006. He also holds a Master of Business Administration in supply chain management and a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from ASU.
NMSU Vice President for Research, Creativity, and Economic Development
From 2012-2017, Cifuentes was vice president for Research, Commercialization and Outreach at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). Before moving to New Mexico State University in July 2018, he served as special assistant to the president.
At TAMUCC, Cifuentes oversaw increases in sponsored research and led the drive to have the university designated as one of the national FAA test sites. His research background is in oceanography and he has been a leader on research grants totaling more than $5 million. In addition to administration, he has been active in research with over $5.5 million in grant moneys awarded. Most recently, he served as PI on an NSF research coordination network project that built a network in South Texas, which includes eight Texas universities (five HSIs) and the Southwest Research Institute, and has organized international conferences in Scotland and Mexico. Prior to serving at TAMUCC, Cifuentes was on the faculty of Texas A&M University College Station (TAMU),where he rose from assistant professor to professor in the Department of Oceanography.He also served as executive associate dean and associate dean for research in the College of Geosciences at TAMU.
Cifuentes has a bachelor’s with honors in chemistry from Swarthmore College as well as a master’s in marine studies and a Ph.D. in oceanography, both from the University of Delaware.
NMSU Regent
Dr. Ammu Devasthali is a longtime artist, painter, and philanthropist who has called Las Cruces home for more than 30 years. Originally from India, she and her husband, Rama, a physician, came to the United States in 1981 and lived in Chicago before relocating to Las Cruces in 1987.
As an undergraduate, she studied Russian language at Nehru University in New Delhi, earning a bachelor’s degree. Later, she attended Moscow State University in Russia and earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Soviet literature. Dr. Devasthali holds a Master of Arts in printmaking from NMSU’s Department of Art. She later earned a second MFA in painting. An entrepreneur, Dr. Devasthali opened her own art studio, Art Ventures, in Las Cruces, giving artists a space to work and create. She also started a jewelry business, Designs by Ammu, which she operated for a number of years. At this time, she become involved in nonprofit work.
For more than 13 years, she served as a board member for the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, having served as president for two years and secretary for four years. During her time at the Community Foundation, she helped establish a women’s fund, Springboard, whose mission is to improve the lives of women in southern New Mexico through scholarships that provide opportunities for advanced education.
Dr. Devasthali and her family have raised funds for many projects and scholarships in the southern New Mexico region. She spearheaded efforts to raise private funds to help build the ASNMSU Center for Performing Arts and NMSU’s visual arts facility, Devasthali Hall.
Regent Devasthali serves as the chair of the Regents Audit and Risk Committee, member of the Regents Real Estate Committee, Position Director for Arrowhead Center, Inc., and the Board of Regents liaison to NMSU Foundation.
Interim General Counsel
Scott Field joined the NMSU University General Counsel office in 2016 after seven years as a commercial litigator. Field’s primary areas of focus include NMSU’s Real Estate Office and Aggie Development, Inc., the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, NMSU’s Athletics, Arrowhead Center, Inc., contract negotiation, litigation support, data privacy, and sponsored research. Field also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a Bachelor’s of Science from Texas A&M University.
NMSU Dean, Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Rolando Flores is the Dean and Chief Administrative Officer for the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University. Dean Flores holds a doctorate in Grain Science and Industry with specialization in international trade from Kansas State University, a master’s degree in agricultural engineering from Iowa State University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Universidad de Costa Rica. Flores served as faculty at Iowa State University and Kansas State University where he taught food processing courses and conducted research. He has also worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service in process risk modeling and has served as administration director for the National Production Bureau of Costa Rica Dean. Flores’ research focuses on optimizing water use in food processing operations, developing new uses for grains and other agricultural products and their by-products. He has over 85 scientific publications, 150 technical presentations and has obtained over $2.5 million for his research program while at Iowa State University and Kansas State University. Prior to coming to NMSU, Dean Flores was Professor and Department Head for the Department of Food Science and Technology; and Director of The Food Processing Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Director and Chief Executive Officer, Arrowhead Center, Inc.
Kathryn Hansen, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Arrowhead Center, Inc., has extensive experience in management of programs and in business and technology development. She has managed large technology development contracts for both the private and public sector. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has served NMSU for over 25 years in several positions, including Co-Director of the Aerospace and Autonomous Systems Laboratory and Business Development Director for the Physical Science Laboratory. Kathy’s latest hobby is running – during this last year she ran the 10K at Leadville and the half- marathon at Disneyworld.
NMSU Dean, Health, Education, and Social Transformation
Yoshitaka Iwasaki was named Dean of the Health, Education, and Social Transformation College. His appointment will begin July 1, 2022. He has served as a professor and department chair of the Department of Public Health and Recreation at San Jose State University. Before joining San Jose State University, Iwasaki served as a professor, associate dean for research and director of a research center at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Extension from 2011 to 2018. He also worked as a professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Professions and Social Work at Temple University in Philadelphia from 2006 to 2011. His areas of interest and expertise include culture, diversity and community-university engagement, active living and quality of life. He also specializes in participatory action research to address social justice issues such as human rights, poverty, empowerment, youth engagement, mental health, and social change. In 2008, he was inducted into the Academy of Leisure Sciences. In 2017, he received the inaugural McKinnon Walker Trust Global Fellowship from the University of Wollongong in Australia. He received a Ph.D. in recreation and leisure studies from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
NMSU Associate Controller and Director of Accounting and Finance
Ross Justus is a New Mexico CPA who currently operates as the NMSU Associate Controller and Director of Accounting and Finance. He originally joined NMSU as an Audit Manager in the university’s internal audit function. He also operated as the university’s Chief Audit Officer for six years before moving to Accounting and Finance. Prior to joining the university, he performed external financial statement and compliance audits with KPMG LLP and Moss Adams LLP. Mr. Justus is a lifelong New Mexico resident, having graduated from NMSU’s College of Business as well as New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM. He lives in Las Cruces with his wife and three daughters.
NMSU Regent
Term Expires: December 31, 2024
Garrett Moseley is a native of New Mexican, born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a graduate of Valley High School. He is set to graduate from NMSU in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Criminal Justice. Upon his graduation he will pursue a Master of Business Administration and will graduate in summer 2025.
While attending NMSU, he has been heavily involved in the Associated Students of New Mexico State University. As a junior, he served as a senator for the college of Arts &, Sciences. During his time as senator, he advocated for increased lighting on campus, expansion of library hours, and served in the senate finance committee. In April 2022, he was elected as ASNMSU Student Body President. As President he led a staff of over 45 students and a $750,000 operating budget. Regent Moseley spearheaded a renovation of the James B. Delamater Activity Center. He secured a $4.3 million dollar appropriation from the NMSU Student Fee Revenue Bond. Alongside the ASNMSU Governmental Affairs team, he lobbied for additional funding at the New Mexico legislative session. During his tenure, he led a philanthropy initiative that united the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico, University of Texas El Paso Student Government Association, and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico to raise money for migrant assistance. As President, he worked alongside the ASNMSU Senate to appropriate over $70,000 to the ASNMSU Emergency Funding Account, which provides wrap-around services for at-risk students. Moseley worked with the NMSU Foundation to lay down the framework for a $250,000 emergency funding endowment which will provide annual funding for the ASNMSU Emergency funding account.
Regent Moseley serves on the Regents Student Success Committee, Regents Financial Strategies, Performance and Budget Committee, and serves as Position Director for Arrowhead Center, Inc.
NMSU Dean, Arts and Sciences
Dr. Enrico Pontelli received his Laurea degree in Computer Science from the University of Udine (Italy), an MS in Computer Science from the University of Houston and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from New Mexico State University. He joined the faculty of NMSU in 1997, receiving tenure in 2002 and promotion to Full Professor in 2005. He was recognized as Distinguished Achievement Professor in 2012 and appointed Regents Professor in 2014. He served NMSU as the Head of the Computer Science Department from 2009 to 2014, as an Associate Dean from 2014 to 2016 and he is currently the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. His research interests are in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (specifically knowledge representation and reasoning), logic and constraint programming, high performance computing, bioinformatics and assistive technologies. He has also embraced challenges related to computer science education research with particular emphasis on broadening participation in computing for students from traditionally underrepresented groups. He has published over 250 peer reviewed publications and he has secured close to $14 million in research funding. Some of the recognitions received include best paper awards at several international venues (e.g., Conference on Computers Usability, International Conference on Logic Programming, and Frontiers in Education), an NSF Career award and the NMSU Donald Roush Award for Excellence in Teaching. He serves on the editorial boards of several international journals, he is the Editor in Chief of the quarterly newsletter of the international Association for Logic Programming, and he is the founder and director of the NMSU Center for Research Excellence in Smartgrids Technologies. Dr. Pontelli has served as advisor for over 40 master’s students and he graduated 14 doctoral students.
NMSU Dean, Engineering
Dr. Lakshmi Reddi, Dean of the College of Engineering, has over 25 years of academic experience as an educator and researcher in interdisciplinary themes related to civil and environmental engineering. He has secured extramural funding of $15 million from sponsors at all levels—federal (NSF, NASA, FHWA, EPA) and state agencies, regional centers, and local industries. His funded activities include basic and applied research, tech transfer and outreach, integrated research and education, and interdisciplinary research spanning numerous disciplines within and outside engineering. Dr. Reddi has received recognitions not only for his academic accomplishments (teaching, research, advising/mentoring, service) but also for his administrative skills. Dr. Reddi’s administrative experience includes serving as department head/chair at two research-intensive universities—Kansas State University and University of Central Florida. Prior to joining New Mexico State University, he served as the Dean of the University Graduate School at Florida International University (FIU). Dr. Reddi received his bachelor of technology in civil engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in India, and an MS and PhD in civil engineering from The Ohio State University.
NMSU Director, Physical Science Lab
BG(R) Sanchez officially retired from the Army on November 30, 2018. He assumed his duties as the Deputy Director, Physical Science Laboratory, NMSU in October 2019 and was announced as the Director on June 16, 2020.
He began his career as an enlisted Soldier in the New Mexico Army National Guard. He is a 1987 Distinguished Military Graduate of New Mexico State University ROTC.
BG(R) Eric L. Sanchez assumed command of White Sands Missile Range on 25 August 2016 and relinquished command on 10 August 2018. He additionally served as Commanding General, 94thArmy Air and Missile Defense Command, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
Additional Command assignments include: Battery Commander, D/2-43 ADA, Fort Polk Louisiana and Operation Southern Watch (Southwest Asia); Battalion Commander 1-7 ADA Battalion, Fort Bliss Texas and the Republic of Korea; Brigade Commander, 35thADA Brigade, Osan Airbase, Republic of Korea. He additionally held numerous staff level positions.
His military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Basic and Advance Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, and the Naval War College. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from New Mexico State University, and Masters of Science degrees from Central Michigan University, and the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Alan R. Shoho is the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of New Mexico State University. In this role, Dr. Shoho oversees the university’s academic mission.
Prior to coming to NMSU, Dr. Shoho served as dean and professor emeritus of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for five years and Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Support at the University of Texas at San Antonio for two years. He started his career in higher education as an assistant professor in the University of Portland’s School of Education in 1991. Previously, he worked as a high school math teacher in Hawaii after working as an electrical engineer for Hughes Aircraft Company and Rockwell International.
President and CEO, Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance
Prior to coming to Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance in February, 2009, Davin Lopez served as Vice President of the New Mexico Partnership, joining the Partnership at its inception in 2003. Lopez spent five years in corporate real estate with General Growth Properties and the Macerich Company, where he held roles as Director of New Business Development and Strategic Planning. He also spent two years in private business, consulting and advising smaller, high-growth companies. Lopez holds a master’s degree from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, San Diego, and is also a licensed real estate Broker in New Mexico.
President, Providence Technologies
James C. (Jim) Manatt Jr. is a former President, NMSU Board of Regents, is Chairman/CEO of Thrust Energy, Inc, Roswell, NM. His energy companies conduct exploration for oil and gas. He is the co-inventor and owner of US Patent 8,077,547, “Directed Beam Seismic©,” an advanced applied field method and apparatus for geophysical exploration. His companies have conducted computational/geophysical R&D with both Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, and have worked under contract with Gas Research Institute for advanced technology commercialization in the energy field. He is an NMSU Distinguished Alumnus and Distinguished Military Graduate having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in university studies with an emphasis on business and marketing. Arrowhead Center was conceived and developed as a result of his leadership and advocacy while an NMSU Regent.
Executive Director, Sandia Science and Technology Park (Retired)
Jackie Kerby Moore recently retired from Sandia National Laboratories after 35 years, where she was serving as Manager of Technology and Economic Development. In this role, she led several results-oriented technology transfer programs for the Labs, including New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA), Entrepreneurial Separation to Transfer Technology (ESTT), Sandia Science and Technology Park (SS&TP), and the Center for Collaboration and Commercialization (C3) located in downtown Albuquerque. During the 2020 NM State Legislature, Jackie successfully lobbied for a new Technology Maturation tax credit program for Sandia.
Jackie is a Past President of the Board of Directors for the Association of University Research Parks (AURP). She chaired AURP’s inaugural Washington Summit, resulting in the first Science Park legislation introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House.
President and CEO Prism Strategies Group
Mike Rogers is a former part-time Senior Project Director and full-time Chief Marketing Officer for NMSU. He is currently President and CEO at Prism Strategies Group in Truckee, California. He has an extensive background in technology, with work at the IDG as Executive Vice President and then Publisher/Chief Executive Officer of their flagship media property: Computerworld. He served on the Board of Directors of the Guidewire Group which was very active in the entrepreneurial start-up ecosystem of Silicon Valley. Rogers has continued involvement with NMSU, having served on the Alumni Board and Chapter President in the San Francisco Bay Area conducting a successful campaign to increase active alumni membership. He serves on the College of Business Advisory Council and is teaching at the College of Business in an adjunct faculty position. He is the recipient of the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service to the University and has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumni from the College of Business.
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