Date:
11/23/2004
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
PORTALES—In a Tuesday morning press conference in Ruidoso, Dr. Michael Elrod was named dean of Eastern New Mexico University's Ruidoso Instruction Center. The appointment is effective Jan. 3.
Elrod is currently the Campus Community and Workforce Development Officer at Dona Ana Community College, a branch of New Mexico State University. He is the senior administrative officer responsible for community education programs and services, workforce development, and outreach educational programs.
Dr. Steven Gamble, ENMU president, said, "We are very pleased to have attracted someone the caliber of Dr. Elrod. With his extensive community college experience in New Mexico, we feel that he is a great fit to take over the reins of the Ruidoso Instruction Center.
"Having been under the direction of Dr. Jim Miller since its founding in 1991, ENMU-Ruidoso is in great shape. It has constantly expanded and been innovative in meeting the needs of the citizens of the Lincoln County area."
When it opened, ENMU-Ruidoso shared space with Region IX Education Cooperative at 300 Sudderth Drive in Ruidoso. It then moved to 1400 Sudderth and remained there until December of 1995 when it moved to its current location in the old True Value building in Sierra Mall at 709 Mechem Drive. Under Miller's leadership, the Center has grown from 300 students in its first year to over 1,500 today.
Gamble said that Miller has done an excellent job as dean of the Ruidoso Instruction Center. "Dr. Miller's vision and leadership have been two of the major factors in the progress that has been made. The Center is now ready to advance to branch campus status and become a full-service two-year college. I give Jim, along with the citizens of Ruidoso and Lincoln County, full credit. We cannot adequately express the appreciation we feel for what Dr. Miller has accomplished, and wish him the best in his retirement."
Gamble said that while Miller will be missed, "At the same time, we are extremely pleased to have Dr. Elrod to continue and expand the wonderful foundation that Dr. Miller has built. We are very confident that the future educational needs of area residents will be in very good hands with Dr. Elrod at the helm."
Elrod has worked in various positions at Dona Ana Community College since 1983. These include being a professor, division head of business and information systems, and the interim campus academic officer.
In 1982–83, he taught at the Clovis branch of Eastern New Mexico University.
Elrod has a 2002 doctor of philosophy degree from New Mexico State University in higher education administration. He also has a 1989 master's in educational management and development and a 1974 bachelor's in sociology from NMSU.
Miller, whose official last day is Jan. 8, said that his decision to retire was prompted by health concerns. His future plans include pursuing a part-time position in the private sector and volunteering in the Ruidoso area.
(photo by James Pawlak of ENMU-Ruidoso)