CHESS Board of Directors

Hector Balderas, JD, CFE, brings years of experience in public service to his role as President at Northern New Mexico College, working to build coalitions and unify opposing constituencies. He is a champion of the underserved, those whose voices are not normally heard.

President Balderas was raised by a single mother in the village of Wagon Mound, New Mexico. Growing up in public housing and on food stamps, he learned the importance of compassion and respect, and gained the conviction that everyone—no matter their background—deserves the same opportunities to succeed.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from New Mexico Highlands University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico Law School. He served as a Bernalillo County Assistant District Attorney, as a New Mexico State Representative, and twice as New Mexico’s State Auditor.

During two terms as Attorney General, he transformed the Special Prosecutions Division, Special Investigations Division, and Human Trafficking Task Force and expanded the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. His Criminal Appeals Division obtained landmark Supreme Court opinions and his civil court victories include the largest Tobacco Settlement payment in state history. He focused on keeping children and families safe, empowering families and small businesses for financial success, and protecting New Mexico’s pristine environment. He is licensed to practice law in New Mexico and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. He also donates time working with at-risk children and the special needs community.

Santa Fe Community College President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., is a leader in higher education and a champion for students. Rowley is chair of CHESS (Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services). She has served as chair of New Mexico Independent Community Colleges since 2015.  

At SFCC, Dr. Rowley cultivates a collaborative environment with students, faculty, and staff to develop innovative programs and provide equitable learning environments for all students. She supports administrative efficiency and transparency; strong relationships with business, education, and government; and being responsive to the needs of the community. An advocate of diversity, equity, and inclusion, she oversees the President’s Diversity Advisory Committee. She advances the College as a community hub for higher education and economic development.

Dr. Rowley is an ex officio member of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Board and chairs the Higher Education Advisory Committee. She has served on the New Mexico State Workforce Development Board, Eastern Area Workforce Development Board, New Mexico Higher Education Strategic Planning Committee, and New Mexico Higher Education Governance Committee. 

Previously, Dr. Rowley was president of Clovis Community College (NM), where she also served as Executive Vice President of Academics and Student Services and was a full-time English faculty member.

She holds a Ph.D. in English from University of New Mexico, a master’s degree in English from University of Virginia, and a bachelor’s degree in English and Latin with a minor in Political Science from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Dr. Carol Linder became Luna Community College’s Interim President in June 2024.  As a scientist, Dr. Linder understands success requires collaboration with those having skills and talents that complement her own.  As an educator, she modeled to her students the necessity of teamwork, of critical thinking, consulting experts, and cooperating to solve problems.  Her leadership style parallels the mission and vision of CHESS.

Raised in Española, Dr. Linder received her B.S. from UNM. Graduate school at UT Austin, postdoctoral training at Washington State University and Oregon State University, and employment at a mouse genetics research facility in Maine further shaped her outlook.  She returned to northern New Mexico in 1997. Dr. Linder joined the NMHU biology faculty in 2004; following a successful career of teaching and research, she served as Highlands’s interim associate provost and provost from 2016 – 2018.

An ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church, she also chairs the San Miguel Family & Community Health Council, and is an active member of both Rotary Club and the American Association of University Women.

An enthusiastic life-long learner, Dr. Linder seeks out challenges.  She completed an MBA in Finance at NMHU in 2021 and joined LCC as an academic director.  She became VPFA in 2023.  Her greatest passion remains the creation of opportunities for others. Although she loves working directly with students, her endeavors as an administrator stem from her desire to promote student success by removing barriers and increasing Luna’s ability to change the career trajectory of all we serve.

The Central New Mexico Community College Governing Board unanimously selected Tracy Hartzler to become the sixth president of CNM in November 2019; she began her presidency on Jan. 1, 2020.

Before becoming CNM President, Ms. Hartzler was CNM’s Vice President for Finance and Operations and has been at CNM since 2015. She has served the public sector for more than 25 years in education, government, and policy roles. Since 2011, Ms. Hartzler has played a significant role in shaping postsecondary education in New Mexico, first with the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, and later with CNM.

Before becoming CNM President, she served as treasurer for both CNM Ingenuity, Inc., and CNM Foundation. She has held various positions at the College, overseeing budgeting and finance, strategic planning, accreditation and research, human resources, facilities, information technology, and other operational functions. She also served on the state’s Complete College America team, advocating for policies that improve student retention and completion. In 2019, President Hartzler served as the Governor’s appointee to the New Mexico State Investment Council. 

Previously, Ms. Hartzler served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and as Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. 

President Hartzler earned a Juris Doctorate from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, a Master of Education Degree from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana.

Jonathan Fuentes, Ph.D., became the sixth President of Clovis Community College on July 1, 2024. He comes to CCC after holding the role of Vice President of Academic Partnerships at Odessa College, in Odessa, Texas. Dr. Fuentes previously served as the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Support Services with additional service as Interim Superintendent at Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District, in Pecos, Texas. Dr. Fuentes earned a Doctor of Philosophy of Political Science with specializations in American Government, Public Policy and Administration, Comparative Government, and Education Policy from the University of Michigan, a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard University.