Dear NMHU Community,

Welcome back to Spring 2026! We will begin the new year with a brief message as we get back to classes, meet our students, and settle in for the new semester. This is Provost Dann Brown, writing for President Neil Woolf, who has had to be off-campus this week and part of next week as he deals with a family emergency. We send him our best wishes.

I always enjoy the beginning of the school year. Seeing students on campus, faculty walking to classrooms, and the Student Union Building coming to life as we begin a new semester always brings a smile to my face.

Some Recent Highlights:

Many thanks to Clint Weckerly and all the faculty who participated in our professional development days last week. We had some great presentations on topics ranging from AI in the classroom, outcomes assessment, and student success. Thanks are extended to Alexis Duran, Ted Gonzales, and Charles Weber for their assistance with the program, and to our many faculty who participated.

Upcoming Events:

We’re in the process of completing our search for our new Registrar. Barbara Wharton has done a wonderful job leading the search, and details regarding opportunities to meet our finalists are provided below:

The University invites faculty, staff, and students to attend open sessions with candidates for the position of Registrar. This is an opportunity to meet the candidates, learn about their experience and vision, and share feedback as part of the selection process. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate.

There will be two opportunities to meet each candidate:

• Friday, January 16, at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 20, at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.

Meetings will be held in person in RAB-107 or via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/7485230198

The legislative session kicks off on Tuesday, January 20th, with the governor’s “State of the State” address. Vice President of Government Relations David Lepre and I will attend. This will be a short legislative session, but it is going to be packed with opportunities for our university.

Last weekend was amazing for Highlands Athletics programs. Both our Men’s and Women’s basketball teams won their games against conference rival Western Colorado, with our men’s team scoring 113 points in their victory! Both teams will return home on Thursday, January 22. Saturday, January 24, will be a big day for Cowboy fans as both basketball teams and wrestling will be in town. Keep an eye on https://nmhuathletics.com/ for all the latest information about our athletic teams.

The Staff Advisory Senate will meet on January 20 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (agenda attached). Thanks are extended to Gina-Marie Medina and her team for bringing this group together as the new year begins.

On Wednesday, January 21, at 9:00 a.m. in the Montoya Student Union Building, students, faculty, and staff are invited to come together for an observance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sponsored by the Donnelly Library and Center for Teaching Excellence, participants will join together in readings of the works of Dr. King and Amanda Gorman.

Congratulations are extended to:

Dr. Robert Karabba, who will serve as interim Dean of the School of Education this spring. A seasoned educator, Rob will lead Education faculty toward the development of a new strategic academic plan aligned with our NMHU strategic plan as he assists me with the search for the permanent dean of the School. I am also looking forward to opportunities for Rob to describe his student success philosophy and contribute to our campus goals in this important area.

April Kent, who has been appointed as the Director of the Thomas C. Donnelly Library. In addition to her daily duties at the Library, April has been key to our development of plans for the renovation of the Donnelly Library, as well as playing a key role with our preparation for the successful Higher Learning Commission campus visit last fall. Thank you, April!

Finally, all, I extend my best wishes for a great spring semester, and thank you for all that you do in support of our students!

Dann

Dr. Dann Brown
Provost