Richard J. Bailey, Jr., Ph.D.
President, Northern New Mexico College
Richard J. Bailey, Jr. joined Northern New Mexico College in 2016 after a 24-year career in the U.S. Air Force. At Northern, Bailey crafted a Strategic Direction document, successfully completed collective bargaining agreements, increased enrollment over 20 percent, and more than doubled its graduation rate. Northern maintains one of the most affordable tuition rates of four-year colleges in the Southwest, the third lowest average student debt upon graduation of four-year colleges and the top performing High School Equivalency program in the nation.
Dr. Bailey revitalized the historic El Rito campus and reintroduced key career technical programs. He brokered a partnership with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative and Guzman Energy for a solar array on the El Rito campus, established the Anna Age Eight Institute (the first in the U.S.) and led the creation of the Northern New Mexico College Eagle Corporation. He also institutionalized a full-time Director of Equity and Diversity position.
President Bailey serves on the board of NNMC Foundation, NNMC Eagle Corporation, Cancer Foundation for New Mexico, Las Cumbres Community Services, and Española Public Schools Education Foundation. He is a Class Senator for the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Association of Graduates and serves on the Advisory Board for the Roosevelt Project, a Harvard/MIT initiative for national renewable energy transformation.
Bailey received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Sciences from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a Master’s in International Affairs from Washington University in St. Louis, and a doctorate in Government from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Tracy Hartzler, J.D.
President, CNM, Chair, ERP Shared Services Steering Committee
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.
Charles Nwankwo, Ph.D.
President, Clovis Community College
Dr. Charles Nwankwo became the fifth President of Clovis Community College in February 2020, prior to the onset of the covid-19 Pandemic. President Nwankwo’s leadership has focused on not only leading the institution through the pandemic but on solidifying a “Caring College” culture, focused on student access and success.
President Nwankwo is passionate about community college education, with its access-driven mission, commitment to student success, and commitment to equity for all students. He has a proven record of success as a transformational and visionary leader committed to developing comprehensive supports that foster college completion. Throughout his career, Dr. Nwankwo has partnered with businesses, community organizations, and other educational institutions to advance relevant programs that promote workforce and economic development. He believes in building a strong cooperative, team-centered environment. Dr. Nwankwo’s leadership style is rooted in the core values of authenticity, integrity, respect, trust, and personal growth.
In addition to his time at CCC, Dr. Nwankwo has broad experience in community college districts in Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas. He has served on the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Academics and Student Success and participated in AACC Workforce Development Institute, White House Summit on Educational Excellence for Minority Students, and chambers of commerce.
He holds a Ph.D. in Education Administration, with emphasis in Community College Leadership, from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Science degree in Environmental Toxicology, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Toni Hopper Pendergrass, Ph.D.
President, San Juan College
Dr. Toni Hopper Pendergrass joined San Juan College as President in 2012. Dr. Pendergrass began working in community college administration in 1995. She understands and embraces the community college philosophy and is committed to continuing to advance student success, community partnerships and economic development.
Previously, Dr. Pendergrass served as Vice President for Learning at San Jacinto College, South Campus in Houston, and as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Success at El Centro College in Dallas.
Dr. Pendergrass serves on the board of the American Association of Community Colleges, New Mexico Independent Community Colleges, Higher Education Research and Development Institute, Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research University Advisory Board, San Juan College Foundation, Four Corners Innovations, Four Corners Economic Development, Four Corners Economic Development Foundation, Four Corners Educational Council for Student Success, San Juan Safe Communities, Leadership San Juan, and the Farmington Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Pendergrass received the 2014 Excellence for Student Achievement Award presented by the New Mexico School Boards Association in cooperation with the Farmington Board of Education. She led the effort of San Juan College being selected to participate in the American Association of Community College’s Pathways 2.0 program.
She earned a Ph.D. in Educational Administration with a specialization in Community College Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics and Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Business, both from New Mexico State University.
Becky Rowley, Ph.D.
Chair, CHESS Board of Directors
President, Santa Fe Community College
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.