Greetings to all NNMC students, faculty and staff,

The opportunity to serve as the interim President of Northern New Mexico College during the search for and transition to a new president allows me to serve a diversity of students and communities of Northern New Mexico that are very significant to me. This is a place of intersection for my family, the place of my own high school graduation, my teaching, my graduate studies, and once again my home. Thank you for welcoming me to your community.

As the search for a new president is underway. I look forward to sustaining the work that Dr. Bailey has set in motion and providing for a smooth transition for the new president.

Thank you, Dr. Bailey, for your support during the past weeks. You have made my own transition into the position successful. The NNMC community will miss your leadership and offer their best wishes for success in your new position.

To the students, faculty and staff, families, friends and communities of NNMC, I look forward to meeting and working with you during my time here.

I first learned about leadership and the importance of working together as I grew up on my family’s farm, where even the littlest ones made a contribution. I know that everyone has something to contribute to our mission, and I welcome your feedback and suggestions.

I began my career as a 7th grade social studies teacher in rural Colorado, served as a director for ELL in a large urban school, completed my PhD in Educational Policy at the University of Colorado, led the Department of Teacher Education at Adams State College, and accepted an appointment as Assistant Commissioner of Education in Colorado under three different governors. My knowledge base and experience includes teaching, administration, K-12 and higher education and local, state and federal policy making and implementation. I look forward to applying my experience to focus on quality education for all of our students, diversity and equity issues, related state and federal policy, federal grants, and to lead NNMC through this transition.

I bring a long-standing commitment to seeing that every student has the same opportunities and the same access I did and will do everything I can to make sure every NNMC student thrives.

Thank you again for welcoming me to your community! I look forward to sustaining the vision of NNMC. Our best years are yet to come.

Dr. Bárbara Medina
Interim President
Northern New Mexico College