Ricardo Maestas named finalist for Sul Ross presidency

OALIFE@OAOA.COM

ALPINE Ricardo Maestas, vice president for Student and University Relations and Dean of Students at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, was named the lone finalist for the presidency of Sul Ross State University.

Maestas was selected by a majority vote of the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System Aug. 21 during their meeting on the Sul Ross campus.

He was one of four finalists for the position, although Jaime Chahin, Dean of the College of Applied Arts at Texas State University, San Marcos, withdrew his candidacy earlier a few weeks ago.

Other finalists were: Cheri A. Jimeno, President of New Mexico State University, Alamogordo, N.M.; and William R. Fannin, provost and vice president for academic affairs and professor of management at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

A total of 62 candidates applied for the position.

“I am delighted and humbled that I have been selected,” Masestas said in a telephone interview. “I think there is a great deal of potential that exists at Sul Ross. During my visit, I was truly impressed by the amount of dedicated faculty, staff and administration who really care about this institution.

The students as well really impressed me with their concerns and the level of questions that they asked.”

“In my opinion, Sul Ross is a diamond in the rough. With the right polishing and leadership, it can really move forward.”

Maestas will be eligible to assume the presidency 21 days after the contractual offer is made and accepted.

He will succeed R. Vic Morgan, who is retiring today after 19 years as Sul Ross president.

David Cockrum, provost and vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, will serve as interim president.

“ Morgan will leave a very strong legacy and it will be difficult to fill his shoes,” Maestas said.

According to several Regents, Maestas’ credentials make him a good fit for Sul Ross.

“We have great expectations .... We think he (Maestas) is going to be a wonderful ambassador for Sul Ross,” said Regent Trisha Pollard, Bellaire, chair of the search committee. “I think he will really be the one to fit in best with the university, the community and the culture of Sul Ross.”

“This was a highly competitive search and I am convinced he is the right fit for this university,” said Regent Michael Truncale, Beaumont.

Regents chair Ron Blatchley, Bryan, added, “There was lots of discussion involved, many hours of interviewing and searching ... but I think we have a clear winner and a marvelous choice.”

Morgan added, “I am pleased. The Regents have made a good choice.”

 Ken Craycraft, TSUS Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and director of the presidential search, said, “The job of any search committee is to make a difficult decision for the Regents, based on the positive qualities of the candidates.”

Maestas has served in his present capacity since 2005. He is also an associate professor in the department of psychology and education. He received a bachelor of arts (1974) in psychology and Spanish and master of arts in teaching (1977) from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.; and a doctor of philosophy (2000) from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan.

His extensive higher education career began in 1974 at the University of New Mexico, teaching Spanish courses for native-speaking undergraduates.

He served as assistant to the director of the office of admissions and records, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign; director of Hispanic Affairs at the Ohio State University; administrative intern, office of the president, University of New Mexico; director of minority engineering programs and project director of minority engineering, mathematics and science program, University of New Mexico; professional intern and research assistant at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.; and associate dean, University College, executive affairs officer, office of the president; lecturer, college of education; and associate vice president for student services, all at the University of New Mexico.

Maestas has an extensive track record in fund-raising, including grant, contract and private resource development, and has a number of publications and research presentations to his credit.