Martinez-Purson
named Continuing Education dean
UNM
Provost Brian L. Foster has announced the appointment of Rita
Martinez-Purson as dean of the UNM Division of Continuing Education
and Community Services effective July 8.
Earlier
this year, Foster announced the separation of UNMs Extended
University from the UNMs Division of Continuing Education
and Community Services, citing recent significant growth and
development of the two organizations in ways requiring reorganization.
Since 1999, when Extended University was formed it has shared
the organizational and management structure of the Division
of Continuing Education and both units have been led by Dr.
Jerónimo (Jerry) C. Domínguez as vice
provost and dean, respectively. Domínguez will continue
in his capacity as vice provost for Extended University.
Were
confident that Dr. Martinez-Purson will provide the kind of
leadership that our Division of Continuing Education requires
as it continues to grow and develop, Foster said. She
brings appreciable experience in higher education, in workforce
development and in managing large, complex organizations. Its
significant that much of her experience has been at another
New Mexico institution of higher educationthe Santa Fe
Community College where she also served as interim president
for more than a year. She has excellent credentials and is the
co-founder of PACE, New Mexicos continuing education association.
We are looking forward to working with her.
I
cant wait to get started! This division plays a vital
role in providing quality learning options for people of all
ages, with a significant impact on workforce development in
Albuquerque. My aim will be to expand the scope of programs,
services and outreach in areas where we can best serve new and
developing markets, Martinez-Purson said.
Since June
of 2002, Martinez-Purson has served as Human Resources Group
Leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she has been
responsible for overseeing human resource services for more
than 1,800 LANL employees.
From 1984
to 2002, she served as dean of Continuing Education and Workforce
Development at the Santa Fe Community College, which was the
largest of its kind in the states community college system.
In that capacity, Martinez-Purson provided administrative oversight
for the Colleges Center for Continuing Education, the
Planetarium, Santa Fe Works, the Center for Customized Training,
the Institute for Intercultural Community Leadership, Elderhostel
Programs, the Conference Center and facilities management for
special events and community-based programs.
For a 13-month
period in 1997-98, she served as interim president of Santa
Fe Community College, overseeing an annual operating budget
of $17 million and carrying out the full responsibilities of
administering the college.
Martinez-Purson
earned her bachelors degree with honors in sociology and
anthropology from the University of Arizona in 1976; her masters
degree in public administration from UNM in 1983; and, her Doctorate
in Education and Administration and Supervision from UNM in
1994.
She is
the 1997 recipient of the UNM School of Public Administrations
Distinguished Alumnus Award; the 2001 Business Woman of
the Year award presented by the Capital City Business
Womens Association; a 1997 graduate of Leadership New
Mexico and a 1998 participant in the Executive Leadership Institute,
the League for Innovation; and a 1996 graduate of the Sol y
Sombra Community Building Institute, among other honors and
recognition.