July 31, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Donna Oracion, College Development Director, ENMU-Roswell, 575-624-7403
Desiree M. Cooper, Coordinator of Media Relations, ENMU, 575-562-2133
Benito Gonzales, ENMU System Director of Human Resources, 575-562-2115
Powell Selected as ENMU-Roswell President
Shawn Powell, Ph.D, vice president of academic affairs at Casper College in Casper, WY, has been named the new president of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. “I am delighted that Dr. Shawn Powell has accepted our offer to become the next President at ENMU-Roswell,” said ENMU Chancellor Jeff Elwell. “He was the top choice of several of the search committee and Community College Board members and had strong support from the faculty and staff. I look forward to working with Shawn to make Roswell the best branch campus in New Mexico.”
“I am eager to be at ENMU-Roswell and appreciate this opportunity to work with the college’s students, faculty, staff, and administrators,” said Powell. “Lisa and I are looking forward to joining the Roswell community.” Powell’s first day on campus will be August 23.
“I want to extend a sincere appreciation to the ENMU-R community – from the dedicated search committee to the participation by the employees and the support of the community at large,” said Mireya Trujillo, search committee chair and secretary of the ENMU-Roswell Branch Community College Board. “Your involvement and input was instrumental in helping select Dr. Powell as our new president. I am confident that he will work collaboratively with our faculty, staff, and employees to lead our community college, as an important part of the ENMU System.”
“I look forward to working with our community college board and Shawn Powell as we move ENMU-R forward,” said Cla Avery, member, ENMU-Roswell Branch Community College Board. “His knowledge of aviation related education and alternative programs like the Youth ChalleNGe program bode well for our population. His academic background is solid and I trust he will more closely integrate our campus with our community.”
“It was a pleasure serving on the search committee as a representative from the main campus,” said Benito Gonzales, ENMU system director of Human Resources. “We had a great pool and each of the finalists brought great strengths to the table making for a tough decision. Dr. Powell exhibited very strong and diverse leadership experience which will serve ENMU-R and the Roswell community well.”
Powell holds a doctorate in psychology and a master’s degree in administrative leadership. He retired from the United States Air Force and Air National Guard after 30 years of service. His military service included a tour at the United States Air Force Academy as an associate professor of behavioral sciences and leadership and director of the cadet counseling center. He is a co-chair for Complete College Wyoming. He is a licensed psychologist and is board certified in school psychology. Powell was the founding director of the Wyoming National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program and worked as a school psychologist in Wyoming public schools for 12 years. He is the president of the American Board of School Psychology and past president of the Wyoming Psychological Association. Powell and his wife, Lisa, enjoy outdoor activities and their dogs and cats.
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