Finalists expected on campuses this week
Oct. 29—Five career educators are candidates to become the next chancellor at Eastern New Mexico University.
All are scheduled to be on ENMU campuses in Portales, Roswell and Ruidoso this week for interviews and getting to know the university communities and region.
"I'm excited," said Larry Sanderson, currently vice president of institutional research and accreditation at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs.
Sanderson holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Michigan State University, a master's in management from Purdue University and a doctorate of education from the University of New Mexico.
"This is the perfect opportunity for us," Sanderson said. "Eastern New Mexico is home."
Sanderson said his wife is from Tucumcari and there is family in the region, including a daughter who lives in Clovis.
"This is a great opportunity in my career which is higher education," Sanderson said.
He said family members on his wife's side have close ties to ENMU and "In my current job we do a lot of work with Eastern."
Other finalists include:
— James Williams has been at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., where he has retired as senior vice president for student affairs.
Williams has a bachelor's degree in management from Keene State College in New Hampshire, a master's in education from South Dakota State University, another master's from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a doctorate of philosophy in educational policy and leadership from the University of Kansas.
— Gary Ligouri is the founding dean of the College of Health Sciences and professor of kinesiology at the University of Rhode Island.
Ligouri's bachelor's degree is in fitness and wellness from the University of Central Missouri, his master's degree is in cardiac rehabilitation / exercise science from East Stroudsburg University and his doctorate of philosophy is in human development and wellness from North Dakota State University.
— James Johnston is in Wichita Falls, Texas, where, for the past five years, he has held the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs at Midwestern State University.
Johnston earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in radiologic sciences from Midwestern State and his doctorate of philosophy in health studies from Texas Woman's University.
— Bruno Hicks is provost and vice president of academic affairs at Dalton State College in Dalton, Ga.
Hicks holds bachelor's degrees in environmental studies and biology from the University of Maine at Fort Kent, a master's in environmental education from Lesley College Graduate School and doctorate of education from the University of Maine.
Williams, Ligouri and Hicks could not be reached for comment.
Johnston wrote in an email that he will "look forward to providing interviews but will wait to do so until I'm on site and allow ENMU to coordinate these."
ENMU has posted resumes and additional biography information about each candidate at:
