NMSU Names New Interim President

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico — NMSU officials confirm that Executive Vice President and Provost Waded Cruzado has been named new interm president of the university. She will assume her new job Aug. 1.

NMSU officials said that when Cruzado takes office, she will be the first woman, and only the second Hispanic, ever to lead the university in its 120-year history.

Cruzado replaces President Mike Martin, who will begin work Aug. 1 as chancellor of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Because he is leaving NMSU before the end of his contract term, Martin is not eligible to receive any portion of his deferred compensation, and he also will not receive an annual performance bonus, officials said.

James McDonough had been named interim president after Martin announced his departure, but he withdrew his acceptance of the position July 8 due to a health concern.