NMSU swears in new regents, elects officers

The New Mexico State University Board of Regents swore in two new members and one returning member at its March 10 regular meeting.

Former secretary of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Deborah K. Romero and Associated Students of NMSU President New Mexico State University Garrett Moseley were appointed earlier this month by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and confirmed March 8 by the New Mexico Senate. In addition, current Chair Ammu Devasthali was confirmed for a second term on the board.

Deborah K. Romero succeeds Arsenio Romero, who vacated his position as a regent to become secretary of the New Mexico Public Education Department.

Deborah Romero retired as DFA secretary last December following a distinguished career as a public servant in New Mexico state government. Romero has worked for nine gubernatorial administrations and participated in more than 40 legislative sessions.

“I am not very good at retirement,” she joked following her confirmation. “I believe my 47 years of state government experience will be an asset to the board of regents. I come from a long line of Aggies, my daughter is the most recent graduate, in December 2021. I look forward to this wonderful opportunity.”

Moseley, a graduate of Valley High School in Albuquerque, succeeds Neal Bitsie as NMSU student regent. An undergraduate student majoring in criminal justice and government, Moseley has served as president of NMSU’s student government since fall 2022, having previously served as an ASNMSU senator from the College of Arts and Sciences. His term as a regent runs through Dec. 31, 2024.

“I am humbled and honored to be given the privilege of serving as the next student regent of NMSU,” Moseley said. “I look forward to serving the university for the next two years. As regent, I will work diligently toward providing a more equitable and accessible education for all students. I would like to thank Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state Senate for entrusting me with this important role.”

Devasthali has served as an NMSU regent since 2019 and was reappointed to a six-year term that ends Dec. 31, 2028. For more than 15 years, she served as a board member for the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, having served as president for two years and secretary for four years. Devasthali and her family have raised funds for many projects and scholarships in the southern New Mexico region. She spearheaded efforts to raise private funds to help build the ASNMSU Center for Performing Arts and NMSU’s visual arts facility, Devasthali Hall, which opened in 2020.

“I want to thank Gov. Lujan Grisham and the state Senate for the opportunity to continue serving as a regent,” Devasthali said. “I’m honored to continue to advocate for the important mission of NMSU as a land-grant, Hispanic-serving and minority-serving institution.”

The board voted to retain Devasthali as chair. Regent Christopher Saucedo was elected vice chair and Moseley was elected secretary treasurer.

For more information, visit regents.nmsu.edu.