Nick Alvarado

The agenda for the meeting included several key items for consideration and information. New business featured consideration of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Agricultural Education Facility, the Indoor Arena Expansion, and the Rodeo & Agricultural Education District Loop Road. Other new business items included consideration for the disposal of inventory through public auction, the reappointment of President Cathy Mitchell to the New Horizons Foundation Board, and a revision to NMJC Board Policy 3.2. Information items covered a retirement resolution for Guadalupe L. Aldaz, monthly financial reports (Expenditure, Revenue, Oil and Gas Revenue, and Schedule of Investments), and the re-appointment of Board committees. The meeting also included discussion of limited personnel matters, specifically the annual review of the Interim President and the search for the President, during a closed session.

The meeting agenda included the official welcome and adoption of the agenda. Key procedural items involved the canvass of election results, administering the Oath of Office to newly elected or re-elected members, and the Re-organization of the Board. Discussions covered the President's Report, updates from the Board Facilities Committee, and information items such as the resolution for annual NMJC Board Conflict of Interest, retirement resolution, and monthly financial reports (expenditure, revenue, and oil and gas). New Business included consideration of the Fiscal Watch Report, design services for the Mary Hagelstein facility, a request to donate inventory to Lovington Municipal Schools, and fund transfers for the Walking Trail on Lovington Highway project. The Board also considered transferring the naming of 'C.M. Burk' from Pannell Library to the Allied Health Building, reviewing the Board Committee Structure, and considering Open Meetings Act Resolution No. 2026-001. A discussion concerning the potential purchase of real property located at 5419 N. Lovington Highway was held, leading to a subsequent New Business item regarding the Resolution No. 2026-002 to purchase that hospital property.

This strategic plan outlines the institution's direction with six key areas of focus. It aims to enhance student success by increasing completions, satisfaction, and retention. The plan also focuses on improving educational quality, expanding credit-bearing enrollment, and ensuring conservative resource management. Furthermore, it seeks to grow workforce and professional training programs, and increase community education and engagement. The overall objective is to improve instruction, learning outcomes, and financial sustainability.

This strategic plan outlines the institution's direction to promote student success through learning by fostering a culture of excellence, effectiveness, responsiveness, access, and community involvement. It is structured around primary institutional goals including creating a great student experience, doubling program and degree completion rates by 2022, and increasing institutional enrollment. Key areas of focus include student success, educational quality, enrollment growth, resource management, workforce and professional training, and community education and engagement, with detailed activities to support these objectives.

The agenda for the Board Meeting included the adoption of the agenda, the President's Report, monthly financial reports, and several New Business items requiring consideration for presentation to the Higher Education Department (HED). Key new business items involved presenting the construction of the Agricultural Education Facility, the expansion of the Indoor Rodeo Arena, the transfer of funds from Reserves to Capital, presenting the Rodeo District Loop Road & Utilities construction, and the purchase of furniture for Heidel Hall. Financial reports covered expenditures, revenues, oil and gas revenue, and investment schedules for October 2025. The November 2025 Board Minutes indicate approvals for the agenda, donation of a Firearms Simulator Training System to the Otero County Sheriff's Department (after offering it to Lea County agencies first), and approval of professional design services for a New 200-Bed Student Housing Building. The Board also conducted a closed session to discuss the Presidential Search.