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Retired NMSU VP appointed interim chancellor of community colleges

  • Amanda Bradford
  • 03 May 2024
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New Mexico State University has named retired Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Andrew J. Burke interim chancellor of the NMSU system’s community colleges in Doña Ana County, Alamogordo and Grants. (NMSU Photo) 

New Mexico State University has named retired Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Andrew J. Burke interim chancellor of the NMSU system’s community colleges in Doña Ana County, Alamogordo and Grants.

Interim NMSU President Mónica F. Torres made the announcement in a memo to campus on Thursday, May 2. Torres, who previously served as chancellor of community colleges, began her tenure as interim president of the NMSU system on May 1.

“Dr. Burke is not new to Las Cruces or the NMSU system,” Torres said in her message. “He was raised in Las Cruces and graduated from Las Cruces High School. He attended New Mexico State University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with honors while majoring in Finance & Managerial Accounting, a Master of Accountancy degree, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration.”

Over a 30-year career, Burke held many leadership roles within the NMSU system, including as DACC’s chief financial officer, as DACC’s interim chief executive officer from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2013 to 2014, and as NMSU’s Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance from 2017 to 2021.  

“It is my pleasure to step in as interim chancellor for NMSU’s community colleges at this time,” Burke said. “I look forward to supporting faculty and staff as they serve our students at DACC, Alamogordo, and Grants. These colleges have an important mission within their communities to provide workforce training and access for students to New Mexico’s higher education resources.”

Burke has also served on many institutional committees, including those involving strategic planning, facilities planning, and institutional accreditation. He has served on the boards of several community organizations, including the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and the Bridge of Southern New Mexico, as well as on various statewide task forces, including several related to the higher education funding formula. Burke currently serves on the board of the New Mexico Finance Authority. 

Burke will begin his interim term on May 16. Until that time, Torres said she will continue to work with leaders at the community colleges to ensure that college and system business is handled. 

Torres will serve as the NMSU system’s interim president while a national search is conducted to find the university’s next permanent leader. For more information on the presidential search, visit nmsu.edu/president-search.