Isaac Bush

The meeting addressed several key agenda items. Discussion topics included aligning outcomes reporting to better serve state and federal reporting needs, specifically focusing on collecting output data regarding job outcomes and higher education continuation. A timeline for data corrections related to the funding formula was discussed, with a commitment to share the methodology logic upon request. The group reviewed the recent Census data, noting an overall increase in results and FTE, while also addressing issues with data precision from some institutions and difficulties encountered with the new Microsoft Forms census submission process. Discussions also covered challenges in the Faculty & Salary survey, particularly regarding salary breakdown consistency with IPEDS, leading to a plan to review HED reporting schedules. Furthermore, the committee decided to form an external committee to review transfer measures, STEM mapping, and funding formula tiers related to CIP codes. Finally, a topic was added for a future agenda concerning statewide collection of parenting student status data.

Key discussions included reviewing previous meeting minutes, noting that an updated census data report is now available. A major focus was the cleanup of the degree inventory dating back to 1986 in the HED database, with plans to prioritize graduate programs for a presentation to the state board of finance regarding enrollment and degrees granted. The group also discussed the potential federal push for collecting student parent data, sharing insights on current collection efforts by some states and institutions, and the purpose of collecting this data to assist parenting students in higher education completion. Updates were also provided on the Dual Credit reporting, which is part of a multi-state grant, and the status of the Faculty Salary survey report, which awaits administrative approval before distribution. Finally, plans for the Annual Report, including strategic enrollment management summaries, faculty data, and institutional enrollment/finance data, were outlined.

This report summarizes an institutional survey on the deployment of endowment funds for education and health workforce programs by the New Mexico Higher Education Department. It evaluates data from academic years 2022-2023 through 2024-2025, focusing on faculty hiring, retention, salaries, student enrollment, and institutional experiences in nursing, teacher education, and social work programs. The report provides insights into how higher education institutions leverage these investments to strengthen workforce pathways and offers recommendations for future program design and evaluation.

The Capital Projects Committee meeting agenda focused on reviewing several capital projects across various institutions. Key projects included the New Construction of Facility Services Building and updates to the Scholes - Roberts Room at the University of New Mexico. The committee was also set to review the Re-Approval for the Tow Diehm Athletic Facility Student Athlete Space. Several upgrades and construction projects for the University of New Mexico Hospital were on the docket, such as elevator upgrades and a Milk Bank project. New Mexico Junior College projects included the Construction of Rodeo District Loop Road & Utilities, Expansion of Indoor Rodeo Arena, and Construction of Agricultural Education Facility. San Juan College projects involved Infrastructure Building Controls Phase 2 and the Sherman Dugan Museum of Geology Expansion. New Mexico State University projects concerned Housing Units and Shop Replacement at Agricultural Science Centers, and an Office Replacement in Artesia. Further reviews included the Luna Community College HVAC project, a revision for Dine College's Math and Science facility, and the Series 2026 Refunding of Two Existing Loans for New Mexico Highlands University.

The Capital Projects Committee meeting included several key discussions and actions related to capital projects. Announcements covered the date of the next committee meeting, office closures, and reminders for the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, including deadlines for local capital outlay form submissions and required documentation for project reauthorization. Two specific projects were reviewed and approved: the Central New Mexico Community College SRC Chiller Replacement, which involves upgrading critical infrastructure serving academic and student services areas, and the New Mexico State University-Dona Ana DACC Gadsden Campus Entrance Road project, aimed at improving safety and accessibility. Both projects were approved without contingencies.