About Us
Since the 1984 deposit of $36,000 that funded the beginning of the NMHU Foundation, we have grown to more than $15 million in assets. The NMHU Foundation continues to award scholarships and fund special projects and programs of the university. Leadership by the Foundation Board resulted in the acquisition and building of the HIPs program and the replacement of the field at Perkins Stadium. Employee and alumni recognition ceremonies and awards are made possible each year from funding by the Office of Institutional Advancement and the Foundation and Alumni organizations. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, our Giving Tuesday 2017 campaign raised over $76,000, and our winter campaign was over $20,000! You can help support the mission of the NMHU Foundation by donating online today: CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors for the HU Foundation meets three to four times a year to consider policies, to direct the finances of the Foundation, and to set the direction for future activities. Board members serve three-year terms and are nominated and approved by the current board. Among the members of the board are some of Highlands most accomplished graduates, as well as corporate leaders and high-achieving public servants.
Dr. Sam Minner Ex-officio Director Las Vegas, NM
Mr. Vince Marchi Vice-President Public Director Albuquerque, NM Mr. Paul Cassidy Treasurer Public Director Albuquerque, NM
Ms. Viola Martinez Secretary Public Director Albuquerque, NM
Ms. Theresa Law, JD, CFRE Vice President, Advancement and Executive Director, Foundation Las Vegas, NM
Dr. James Abreu Public Director Las Vegas, NM
Ms. Tina Cordova Public Director Albuquerque, NM
Dr. Eileen Madrid Public Director Las Vegas, NM
Ms. Felicia Ortiz Public Director Las Vegas, NV
Dr. Barbara Perea Casey Public Director Las Vegas, NM
Dr. D. Pauline Rindone Public Director Santa Fe, NM Ms. Victoria Sanchez Public Director Santa Fe, NM
Mr. Tom Whitson Public Director Santa Fe, NM
Ms. Juli Salman Alumni Director Las Vegas, NM
Mr. Paul Grindstaff President, Alumni Association Ex-officio Director Allen, TX
Mr. Leveo V. Sanchez Chair, Board of Regents Emeritus President Santa Fe, NM
Alumni Board
The mission of the New Mexico Highlands University Alumni Association shall be to advance New Mexico Highlands University through building loyalty, fellowship and commitment among its members.
Jeannae Leger, President. MBA, NMHU ’04. Administrative Services Manager for the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee.
Sean Pearson, Vice-President. ’09 MBA. New Mexico Human Services Department, CIO. “As a director, I will work hard in support or the Board’s mission to advance New Mexico Highlands University through building loyalty, fellowship and commitment among its members”.
Cassandra Carrillo, co-Secretary/Event Planning. . NMHU ‘94. Adjunct Highlands professor for nine years and Program Coordinator for Highlands Roswell Center.
Ernesto Fresquez, co-Secretary/Event Planning. MBA in Management from JFK University ’02, BA in Marketing, NMHU ’77. Manages the Carneros Ranch, a sustainable ranching and registered llama enterprise in Arabela, Lincoln County, NM.
Paul Grindstaff, Immediate Past-President. NMHU ’94. Chiropractor, multi-unit franchise operator.
Vince Marchi, Past-President. MBA, NMHU ’93. Branch Manager at Finance of America, Treasurer of the NMHU Foundation and President of the Adaptive Sports Program.
Luisa Pacheco, Student Representative. Majoring in Psychology, minoring in Combined Science, Associates in General Music, has worked in the NMHU Foundation and Alumni office since August 2015.
Virginia Aragon – ’92 BA in Business Administration/Accounting. “There is never enough that we can do as alumni to give back to the community, as well as to current students in the capacity of mentorship.”
Abenicio Baldonado, Public Director. BA ’11, MA ‘19
“As a proud alum of NMHU, I have been fortunate to experience professional and personal success. Now, I wish to give back to an institution that is responsible for many of the great successes I continue to experience. I plan to use my skills to represent NMHU at the highest standard, and serve the community with dedication and passion.”
Cathy Bustamante, Public Director. Our Lady of Sorrows Coordinator of Confirmation, retreat planner for teenagers.
Doreen Chavez, Public Director. ’93 BS in Child Development & Family Relations, ’97 MSW, NMHU. “I truly believe in the diversity NMHU exhibits and would like to be part of strengthening NMHU’s student population and programs”.
Aja Currey, Public Director. ’10 BA in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, ’20 MA in Educational Leadership. “I’m excited to give back to NMHU after earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.”
Shawn Gale, Public Director. BA in Fitness Administration, NMHU ’90. Manager for RiverPoint Sports & Wellness, Albuquerque.
Marcus Garcia, Public Director. ’13 BS in Biology, ’15 MA in Human Performance & Sports, ’20 Pharm. D., UNM, ’20 MBA, UNM. “ As a proud alum, I want to aid in continuing the growth of Highlands and working to provide opportunities for students.”
Azucena Giron, Public Director. NMHU ’04, ’05. Business Operations Professional with experience in many areas including productivity improvements, process improvements, cost reduction, revenue enhancement, bilingual competency, active in various service organizations.
Shailendra Jaisingha, Public Director. ’94 BS in Physics & Mathematics, ’96 MSW, ’00 MBA. “Serving on the alumni board is a chance for me to support current, future students, and alumni as a trusted advisor and representative of the University.”
Yolanda Romero Jaramillo, Public Director. NMHU ’83, ’87 . Elected Commissioner on La Acequia de La Plaza, career in secondary and post-secondary education.
M. Christina Montoya, ’06 BS Social Work, ’16 MS Social Work. Contract school social worker and special education teacher, and behavior support specialist pre-K through 12th grade.
Dennis Pabst, Public Director. NMHU ’69. Served in the U.S. Army, retired school teacher after 34 years, active in community service organizations, established a Highlands scholarship in 2000.
Sylvester Perez, Public Director. NMHU ’72, ’78. Retired Superintendent of Schools for San Antonio Independent School District, Highlands commencement speaker in 2014, recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus. President of the Athletic Alumni “H” Club, was 1971 NAIA Baseball All-American. Currently a Senior Lecturer teaching at UT San Antonio
Leah Saiz, Public Director. BS in Computer Information Systems, NMHU ’90, MA in Media Arts and Computer Science, NMHU ’03. IT Applications Manager, City of Seattle, WA.
Joseph Sanchez, Public Director. BA ’96, MBA ’01
“I have been an advocate for students in their pursuit of a quality education for nearly 20 years and I enjoy helping students achieve all aspects of their goals whether it’s academic, professional, or personal.”
Carolina Sherman. ’02 BS Business Administration, Management, ’16 MS Business Administration, Management. “I am interested in being part of a growing need to assist our Native students to be able to attend New Mexico Highlands University.”
Josephine Sena, Public Director. BA in Elementary Education, NMHU ’96. MA in Southwest Studies, Hispanic Language and Literature, NMHU ’01, MS in Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas, ’08. Librarian: Head of Government Documents and Periodicals, Thomas C. Donnelly Library.
Curt Spencer, Public Director. BA in Secondary Education/Health and Physical Education, NMHU ’83. MA in Administrative Leadership for Capella U, Spring ’16. Middle/High School Athletic Director/Coordinator for Rio Rancho Public Schools.
Ivy Romero, Emeritus. BA in Business Administration, NMHU ’90. Institutional Effectiveness & Research Associate at NMHU.