WNMU President Joseph Shepard and Regent Chair Mary HotvedtWNMU President Joseph Shepard resigns

By Mary Alice Murphy

The Western New Mexico Board of Regents called a public meeting to order after an executive session on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Board Chair Mary Hodvedt presented the reason for the special meeting. "We went into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of limited personnel matters, an update on possible personnel actions and discussion of president's contract and legal matters subject to attorney client privilege concerning threatening or pending litigation. The new business is the President's contract. I would like to turn this over to our personnel committee for a moment to take us into this issue, and I will ask you, Regent Daniel Lopez to speak to it. Lopez, Regent Dal Moellenberg and I were named to a Personnel Committee for the purpose of deciding how best to proceed forward with a Separation Agreement with the President. We consulted with our attorney, as well as Dr. Shepard's. We also consulted Dr Shepherd on points that we thought needed clarification or adjustment modification. I think we were satisfied that those things that we thought might give rise to difficulties in the future we were able to modify them both in the contract and a letter that later on, Dr Sheppard intends to share with the board."

Lopez said he was satisfied that they had come up with a Separation Agreement that is fair, and also protects the university, protects the Regents, and protects President Shepard in his official capacity now and into the future, with the indemnity clauses that are included. "That's about a summary of what we did and how we got there."

Moellenger said: I believe Regent Lopez has covered and summarized the process and consideration that we went through, so I have nothing further to add."

No other regents had comments. The regents moved to approve the contract.

Shepard asked for one point of clarification: "Can the wording be changed on the motion on the termination of the contract?"

"Madam Chair, I would move that the wording be to include termination of the present contract, and not be open-ended like that. Regent Lopez, you need to clarify which contract is terminated, which is my president's contract, because this also enters into a new contract, and you do not want to have the confusion that you're terminating both contracts. The existing contract is the one that's being terminated. The motion does not make reference to the new contract."

The exact title of the full contract is "Western New Mexico University separation and faculty appointment agreement between the Board of Regents and President Joseph Shepard."

The motion was amended and approved by voice vote.

Hotvedt then read the letter from the Board of Regents."This is a letter that the board has approved it and added their amendments on December 20, 2024"

"Dear members of the Western New Mexico University community. On behalf of the WNMUBoard of Regents, I am sadly informing you that the board has entered into a mutual agreement with President Joseph Shepard to terminate his contract effective January 15, 2025. In taking this mutual action, we want to acknowledge our deep gratitude to Dr Shepard for his excellent leadership of our university. Over 13 years, under his tenure, our programs have grown in so many areas, and town and community relations have flourished. Our now beautiful campus is approaching carbon neutrality. We are the New Mexico Center for Excellence in early childhood education. Our programs in social work, business and nursing have won national awards. We have MOUs with many institutions, both in our state and international, and the list of accomplishments is much longer than this. We must note that our decision to work out a mutual agreement in no way is meant to reflect negatively on Dr. Shepard and his work as our president. In his own letter, Dr Shepard explains why he chose to enter into this negotiation with the board. He is selflessly stepping down for the good of the university in the face of ongoing issues. We understand his reasons and hope this action will allow the university community to move ahead with its important mission of educating our current and future students. Dr Shepard and his wife, Valerie Plame, deserve our admiration and so many good wishes. Please join us in expressing our appreciation of Dr. Shepard ,as we make this painful transition sincerely."

"And every word is heartfelt from the board.," Hotvedt added.

Shepard then presented his president's report.

"Thank you Regent Chair and thank you members of the board. I wanted to give this with a little preface before I give my resignation letter, I would like to clarify a few things. Lies go halfway around the world before the truth has got its boots on. I wish to share only facts:
1) Fact: there is no $27,000 couch. The university bought one couch at $4,500 and two at $5,500 each. These were for the president's home and not for me.
2) Fact, all major trips that I have taken were shared with the board and had their approval. International trips had full board involvement. I have never taken a luxury trip on the university's dime. All trips for the university involved agendas, invitations and meetings throughout the trip.
3) Fact, I have never taken a $25,000 helicopter ride. In fact, I have never taken a helicopter ride that the university paid for.
4) Fact, all flowers for my daughter's wedding were purchased by me. All items from my daughter's wedding were purchased or rented and paid for by me and my wife personally.
5) Fact, I have never written a single check to myself via the foundation or the university.
6) Fact, all checks written to me from the foundation were reimbursements for the university and foundation purchases that have complete documentation and oversight.
7) Fact, my wife never profited handsomely or otherwise.
8) Fact, my wife's purchasing card was approved by then Board Chair Jerry Walz and had oversight and approvals separate from me.
9) Fact, my wife bought items exclusively for the university and never for herself or for me.
10) Fact, there has never been any purchase of wine for $800 a bottle from Greece or anywhere else.
11) Fact, the state auditor has never shared his specific findings with the university, nor has he had any conversations with us to understand any contextual issues, nor has there been any due process afforded to us. We know only what was in his letter of concern, but do not know any further details.

"This is the definition of defame: to harm the reputation of, by communicating all statements above to harm the reputation by libel or slander."

Shepard noted that across the country, the average tenure of a university president is a little more than five years. "When I came to Western New Mexico University in 2011, the prediction was I would be here for three years. To be fair, I had in mind of staying up to five years. The University was in a precarious position. The weeds around the campus were growing faster than enrollment, and the financial outlook was falling quicker than the Peregrine Falcon headed for a kill. State funding had plateaued or was declining. Buildings were deteriorating. Gas lines were rupturing, and the swimming pool had leakage that was creating waterfalls in a nearby building, staff morale was down and local citizens, referred to the university as the Citadel on the Hill with a moat around it to keep out the people. A new President faced with these conditions could certainly justify looking for more promising and stable opportunities. I saw the wonderful potential instead of these faults. On July 1, 2024, I began my 14th year as president of Western New Mexico University. During this time, I had multiple opportunities to move into another presidency, given the conditions that confronted me in 2011 Why did I choose to stay? In short, I fell in love with the area, the community and the university, the faculty, staff, and especially the students, with a vision of what we could accomplish together.

"On a personal side, my two children of Mexican heritage and my affinity for Mexico after having taught there in my first years out of college, tied me even closer to the idea of leading a Hispanic Serving Institution. Furthermore, influenced by my upbringing, I have always felt that my vocation was to help improve the lives of others, with WNMU, open access admissions, an open door to a high percentage of first generation students who would not have a chance for higher education, except for Western. This university offered me the opportunity to meet that purpose with the support of a dedicated Board of Regents and a cadre of campus leaders, I decided to take on the challenge as best I could to transform this institution.

"Over those initial years, we cut and revamped the budget by reductions up to 25%; we reduced faculty and staff; we prioritized programs, embarked on beautifying the campus, revitalized infrastructure, upgraded our athletic and recreation facilities, built new residence halls, began to bridge that moat to welcome the community with first, a great slate of cultural affair programs, and overall laid the groundwork for an effective and prosperous future. It was through this process that I discovered the amazing quality and dedication of faculty and staff, faculty, staff, presidents like Virginia Huegel Trey Camacho Andy Hernandez, Emma Bailey, Scott Fritz, Sue McFeaters, Scott Smith and Phil Schoenberg all engaged in the tough but fair leadership of shared governance. Staff Senate presidents, including Matthew Lara, Margaret Soucy, Dean Foster, Michael Acosta, Adele Springer and Bart Brown provided proactive support. Abandoning the previous use of reserve funds for operating expenses, we turned the budget around in keen oversight and discipline from our business office leadership, like Kelly Riddle, Cynthia Martinez and Amy Baca. Additionally, the leadership of Jack Crocker, Isaac Brundage, Julie Morales, Magdalena Manzanares, Betty Miller, Scott Noble and Mary Rae McDonald, exemplified excellence, and have helped to make this university great. I am humbled by the positive change we achieved together.

Shepard continued: "Today, our role has climbed over 3500 students. Our academic programs have moved into top tier national rankings with social work, Business Education and Early Childhood consistently being recognized, including being the New Mexico Center of Excellence with early childhood education. Because of our Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum, the state legislature designated us the Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences University of New Mexico. Our Innovative Nursing Program is meeting the critical health needs of our area and state. The most recent cohort of graduates scored 100% pass rate on the state exam compared with a pass rate in the upper 60% a few years ago. Our expressive arts department, with the McCray gallery, has become a mecca for professional and student art exhibits, our world class Mariachi Plata de WNMU proudly spreads our Hispanic focus and heritage as the only collegiate championship ensemble in New Mexico.

He continued saying the university has responded to area and state workforces by expanding its career and technical educational offerings such as welding, construction, plumbing, pharmacy tech, public and certified nurse assistants.

"My early commitment to reconnect with the community has exceeded my hopes as the university has become the cultural center of the region, with local and area residents filling Light Hall and the Fine Arts Center for our cultural affairs, concerts and lectures. Fiesta Latina has grown into a major international event, drawing participants and crowds to further enhance our Hispanic heritage. The Western Institute of Lifelong Learning is thriving on our campus with its enthusiastic group of volunteers providing rich opportunities for intellectual participation for the community and for the university."

He noted that students now have access to healthy meals furnished free through the food security program. The WNMU Foundation assets have increased by nearly 400% , and the university is fiscally stronger than its ever been, with reserves being maintained at 20% or higher of the budget.

"I point out these transformative accomplishments to give credit to what we have done, faculty, staff and community, but I'm most proud of what we have done for our students," Shepard said. "At every graduation ceremony, I witness a fundamental educational process of generational change that touches me deeply. I ask, how many are first in their families to go to college? Over 60% raise their hands. I ask, how many have children? Over 50% raise their hands. These students are working moms and dads that must attend part time and who take longer to graduate, but have persevered through life pressures not to drop out. So many of these students, including the traditional ones just out of high school, would not have access to obtaining the college degree if it were not for WNMU.

"Another group of students I take pride in helping are our international students, those recruited for our athletic team, as well as those who yearn for an American education. Not only does it change their lives, but their presence enriches cross-cultural understanding for all students. For me, it has been an honor to be a small part of this success. More than anything, it's the students who reaffirm every day my desire and vocation to make a difference in the lives that may be less fortunate than mine.

"Of course, not everyone always agrees with my decisions and efforts. We're a university, after all, and it's common practice that a president must deal with legitimate questions and multiple points of view among highly educated colleagues with various academic and self interests. I accept these conditions and know that simple and reasonable pushbacks are a basic way forward. Usually that five-year average tenure of a university president is created not by internal conflicts and disagreements but by external forces that turn toxic. I love being president of Western New Mexico University. I love our university more, but I love my wife more than both. Over the last year and a half, Valerie and I have been smeared with lies, innuendos and direct attacks on our integrity, ethics, honesty and truthfulness. This is the second time in my wife's life that she has suffered unfairly as a result of her husband speaking truth to power. Her previous husband, Joe Wilson, appointed a United States Ambassador, challenged the Bush administration about lying to the American people regarding the Iraq war. Not only did they use the media to bash him as a malicious liar, but they also further demonized him by outing his wife, one of our country's own CIA spies, callously endangering her life and the lives of the cultivated contacts. Twenty years later, Valerie is again in the uninvited spotlight and fair game."

Shepard emphasized:I'm extremely grateful for the continuing strong, unanimous support of our Regents—five remarkable, experienced and independent leaders who volunteer their time and talent to ensure the university maintains the highest standards of quality and fiscal stability and management. All but the student regent hold terminal degrees, with one being a distinguished lawyer, and the others holding doctorates. Their integrity is unquestionable; their dedication to the truth unwavering. I am also grateful for the sizable support for me from the silent majority in the community.

"Thirteen years ago, I fell in love with this university and community that embraced me and gave me a home. In the process, I promised to always put first our students. To do so, I must now take a different path to protect from further harm from the institution that has been my obsession and my wife, who is the center of my life. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that the path for this university and for our community is to remove myself from the equation and resign as president.

"Obviously, this is not an easy decision. I envisioned many more years of leading this great institution. I expect some form of attack will, as retaliation against me and the board will go unabated, but I hope calmer, reasonable voices prevail and refocus the conversation on what we can do for our students and how we can transform and create generational change in their lives.

"I leave my post not in defeat, but with a deep understanding it is the right thing to do to advance that which I dearly love. To all of you who have supported me, thank you. Know that we will be okay. To those of you who are against me, I hope you find peace. My choice is to move beyond the toxic and back to the center of compassion as I transition into President Emeritus and return to the faculty. I do so with deep pride in our accomplishments, knowing I have made a significant difference to this institution and what it has become, and I hope, instilled a vision for what it can be. I have been blessed to be the president of Western New Mexico University. May God keep friend and foe in the palm of His hand."

Hotvedt said: "Thank you, President Shepard. The Board of Regents accepts your resignation and the termination of our contract. But I do speak for the board, and I know everyone will agree that it is with deep regret that we've come to this point. I do want to reassure the public at this meeting that we are moving forward to approach Dr. Jack Crocker and enter into negotiation with him for an interim agreement as president, so that there will be continuity and the board will continue to serve. I misspoke at the last meeting and said it was my last meeting. It will not be my last meeting. I have talked with the governor, and Regent Jones and I will be continuing as regents until we are replaced by a new appointment. So we will continue a peaceful transition of the board, and that will include your help. I know that you committed to that."

She opened comments from the regents.

Vice ChairRegent Haviland said: "I have very few comments this morning, and I just want to echo the comments that you made on behalf of the full Board, Chairman Hotvedt, that our commitment is to continuity and to student achievement, and that our decision to accept Dr. Shepard's resignation and enter into this negotiation is a reflection of our commitment to the university and to our role as regents and our obligation to care for the university's reputation and its ongoing work. And I wish Dr Shepard and his wife only the best, and I thank him for his endless service to this community."

Treasurer Jones said: "I would just like to start by thanking Dr Shepard for his report. I also want to thank you for your leadership and your tireless work to turn around this university over your tenure. I think it's a night-and-day difference from the university that you came into and the university that you're leaving. And as a student, I'm grateful for this university. I'm grateful to you and your leadership. And as I will always say: 'I'm proud to be a WNMU graduate,' and nothing that can be done can take my degree away, and I'm grateful for that. I always want to thank my fellow Regents for their continued commitment and diligence throughout this process. Our personnel committee, you guys have been amazing. I want to thank you all for your mentorship and and letting me have a voice in this process. And so I'm excited to get to continue to serve for however long that may be as Student Regent and I look forward to moving on with this process. Thank you."

Regent Moellenberg said: "First, I certainly want to express that I join in agreeing with your earlier remarks on behalf of the board. I also would like to thank Dr. Shepard for his service and leadership to the university. Your remarks have summarized a long list of accomplishments and improvements to the university over your tenure as president, and we greatly appreciate that. And I also extend my thanks and appreciation to the full Board of Regents for all of your work on behalf of the university."

Regent Lopez said he would be brief. "I think all the things that have been said I would echo. Let me just first start though by thanking the Chair, Madam Chair, you have been an excellent, exemplary chair, like I've said before, you've allowed the public to have their say, even when it's difficult to receive some of those comments that we feel unwarranted, but they have a right to do that and you certainly accomplished that. And to the president, all I can say is, I've witnessed a change in this university. I've been very close to the university over the years, even before Dr Shepard came to be the head of the university. And the transformation is miraculous in every respect. So I think your leaving is a courageous decision, but you leave a university well in hand, and hopefully we can create this transition in a very smooth and in a way that really, really starts a new relationship, even with those that have questions about how we have run the university, but that remains to be seen. And then finally, to the rest of my board members, colleagues, I thank you. I've served on a lot of boards over the years, and this has been the most collegial group of people that I've ever worked with. And I appreciate each and every one of you, with a special word of thanks to Trent Jones. You think you're the only one that learned, but we learned from you with your participation and point of view. You always represented the students and had their best interests in mind, and you shared some very thoughtful and meaningful ideas with us. So thank you for that. And then, in closing, thank all of you and God speed for the university."

Hotvedt said she applauded his comments to Regent Jones. "You, Trent, are an integral part of this board. We have learned from you. My final comment I really gave at the last meeting, which is the defense of this board for doing the hard work of governorship in this university, and you have done it, and this has been a hard contract to negotiate, in the sense that none of us really were excited in any way about having to enter into this agreement, and there were many things to be ironed out. So I want to thank the Personnel Committee, and I want to thank the board today for also your comments and questions as we finalize the agreement. This is a wonderful board. I will continue with you until I have to step down, because we're committed to continuity and to a smooth transition. As I said, Dr .Shepard, I can't see enough good things. You know that. And you know sometimes we've locked horns, sometimes we've had these questions about where to go and how to do it, and you have always worked with this board and with the whole university community in the most open way possible. I don't know what will happen in the future. But if we can grow the way we have grown under your tenure, we will be a great university forever."

"This meeting, this special meeting of the board, is adjourned. Thank you very much for your participation."