ENMU Board of Regents Approves Salary Increase and Contract Extension for ENMU Chancellor James Johnston Following Assessment of Performance

Dr. James Johnston

ENMU Board of Regents Approves Salary Increase and Contract Extension for ENMU Chancellor James Johnston Following Assessment of Performance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTALES, N.M. — Dec. 17, 2025 — The Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) Board of Regents has unanimously approved a three percent salary increase and a contract extension through 2031 for Chancellor James Johnston.

The decision followed a review of Dr. Johnston's annual performance during the Board's regular meeting on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Regents also used a presidential salary market analysis of peer institutions of similar size in the Southwest to determine the salary adjustment, bringing his base salary to $375,000.

"Dr. Johnston has exceeded the Board's expectations, and we continue to be impressed with his leadership and the direction that he has taken the University and the ENMU System," ENMU Regent Lance Pyle said. "We are looking forward to him breaking the ENMU enrollment record, continuing with successful fundraising goals, and implementing his other initiatives that will only strengthen and advance us."

Since his tenure began, Chancellor Johnston has overseen continued enrollment growth, which increased from 5,398 in the fall of 2023 to 6,002 in the fall of 2025 on the Portales campus. He has also led the construction of significant capital projects, including the renovation of Roosevelt Hall and the new Student Academic Services building, slated to open in the summer of 2026.

Johnston also established the first division of Advancement at ENMU-Portales, leading to record-breaking fundraising growth. Under his leadership, the ENMU Foundation has raised over $24.7 million in the last three fiscal years.

Regionally, Dr. Johnston is also spearheading strategic initiatives on economic development, forging new partnerships with community colleges and local K-12 schools as part of his ongoing One Eastern Initiative and vision for the ENMU System.

"I am grateful for the continued support of the Board of Regents and their confidence in me," Johnston said. "As I continue to work both on campus and in the region to grow the ENMU System, I am also grateful for the support and 'can-do' spirit of all those I work with."

Contact Information

For more information regarding this release, please contact Shaun Banther, director of University Communication at [email protected], or by phone at 575.562.2032.