New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU), located in the beautiful mountains of Northern New Mexico, seeks a student-centered, community-engaged visionary and innovative leader for Dean of the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work (FVSSW).

New Mexico Highlands University was founded in 1893. It is a public, state-funded, regional comprehensive university. NMHU is a Hispanic Serving Institution and an aspiring Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution, with open admissions and master’s level programs serving more than 68% Hispanic, Native American, and African American students. Fifty-one percent of all students study at the master’s degree level. The total Fall 2025 FTE for all campuses, both undergraduate and graduate, was 2,741.

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. NMHU is composed of the College of Arts and Sciences; School of Business, Media and Technology; School of Education; and the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work. The University offers 43 undergraduate programs and 21 graduate programs.

The Facundo Valdez School of Social Work is the oldest school of social work in New Mexico, dating back to 1974 and is also the oldest school accredited by the Council of Social Work in the Southwest. It offers both the BSW and MSW degree programs on the main campus and some of these programs at the center campuses and online, and operates the Native American Social Work Studies Institute and the Center for Social Work Excellence. In 2025, the School of Social Work awarded degrees to 126 graduate and 49 und ergraduate students, for a total of 175.

The Dean reports to the Provost of NMHU and serves as chief academic officer of the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work, providing strategic leadership to faculty and staff. The Dean oversees strategic initiatives for the school’s majors and two centers; ensures effective planning, fiscal management, accountability, and continuous improvement of academic programs and services; fosters relationships with New Mexico’s diverse communities; promotes student success, enrollment, and retention; supports fundraising efforts; advances faculty development and research; and leads curriculum development, evaluation, and administration across all campuses, including online.

Completed applications are due by March 23, 2026. To ensure full consideration, you will be required to submit: 1) a current resume or CV; 2) a cover letter addressing the position; and 3) the contact information for three professional references (a current or former supervisor, a current or former direct report, and a professional colleague). The search page, which includes the Executive Search Profile and application and nomination links, is located at https://rhperry.com/nmhudean.