Jack Crocker comes to WNMU from Florida where he held various faculty and administrative positions, including at the University of South Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University. At FGCU he was founding Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dean of Graduate Studies and Extended Programs, Interim Provost, and Assistant to the President. With a Ph.D. in English from Texas Tech University, an M.A. in English from Florida State University, and a B.A. in English from Delta State University, his discipline areas are American Literature and Creative Writing.

A poet and songwriter, his latest volume of poems is The Last Resort. Having attended college on basketball and baseball scholarships he still fancies himself an athlete.

Contact: Jack.Crocker@wnmu.edu
(575) 538-6318

Born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Silver City, New Mexico, Ms. Betsy Miller started her post-secondary education at Western New Mexico University as a young adult. As a student, she was “short-term oriented” and ultimately earned a master’s degree at WNMU. Ms. Miller has dedicated most of her life to WNMU having held various staff and administrative positions including the position of Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management. Within a few months of serving the University of the role, Ms. Miller agreed to serve as the Interim Vice President of student Affairs and Enrollment Management. She hopes to help serve and empower students for success from admission to graduation, while fostering a sense of community.

Ms. Miller enjoys hiking, movies, concerts, dancing, working outside in the yard, being with her family and enjoying quiet time.

Contact: Betsy.Miller@wnmu.edu
(575) 538-6119

Born and raised in Silver City, WNMU has always been a special part of my life. A proud alumna, I earned my bachelor degree at Western. While not for many people, numbers are fun for me and I enjoy the challenges that come with budgets and accounting. Starting as a work-study, and working my way up, WNMU has been a place for growth and education for me.

Outside of my career, I enjoy hiking, watching movies, attending local sporting events (Go Mustangs!) and raising my beautiful family.

Contact: kelley.riddle@wnmu.edu
(575) 538-6513

As a native of Grant County, New Mexico and a member of a large family who have all either worked in the mining community or graduated from WNMU, Ms. Morales’ ties to the community and university run deep. Ms. Morales earned a double major in Mass Communications and Government from NMSU as well as a master’s degree in Business Administration from WNMU. Having started her career at WNMU in 1993, Ms. Morales’ love for the work she does is the primary reason she has risen to her current role at WNMU.

Ms. Morales consistently tries to help her colleagues, students and members of the local community to improve and realize successes great and small.

Contact: Julie.Morales@wnmu.edu

An internationalist by training, much of my career in higher education has focused on several areas of American politics. The subject has always fascinated me, a Mexican by birth. I emigrated to the United States where I earned my baccalaureate degree in international relationships and a master’s degree in political science/public administration from Sonoma State University; and a Ph.D. In political science from Northern Arizona University.

As if American politics wasn’t fascinating enough, I make sure to spend each week reading from a long list of favorite authors including John Steinbeck. After 15 years of teaching university students, in 2013 I transitioned into the Vice President role here at Western. It’s been a great journey and I’m looking forward to this exciting new chapter.

Contact: Gregory.Trujillo@wnmu.edu
(575) 538-6440