Miller quits UNM-Gallup
UNM director will take new post in Rio Rancho
Beth Miller addresses the UNM-Gallup faculty in 2002 [Independent file photo]

Richard Holder, UNM’s deputy provost

By Bill Donovan
Staff writer

GALLUP — Beth Miller, who has been executive director of the University of New Mexico-Gallup for the past six years, announced her resignation Thursday, effective immediately.

She announced her resignation to a surprised staff and faculty at the college in an e-mail sent Thursday afternoon. The college also put out a news release on her decision.

Richard Holder, UNM’s deputy provost, will be replacing her until an acting director can be appointed in the next few weeks. Stationed in Albuquerque on the main campus, he said he plans to spend a day or two a week at the Gallup campus handling matters.

Miller was appointed interim director of the college in 2002 and was made the permanent director in 2003.

While she is leaving UNM-Gallup, she is staying on as a member of the UNM family.

Beginning on July 1, she will begin working with university officials who are setting up a multimillion campus at Rio Rancho. Miller said she would go on a three-month paid administrative leave to prepare for her new duties.

The decision to leave comes at a time when Miller’s relationship with the faculty seemed to be getting a little better.

UNM-Gallup’s faculty senate passed a resolution of no confidence last spring, mainly because of complaints that she did not discuss policy decisions with the faculty before implementing them. After the vote, Miller promised to be more accessible to faculty members and started a policy of having bag lunches periodically on the campus and inviting anyone who wanted to speak to her to attend.

Holder was asked if Miller’s problems with the faculty had any role in the decision to transfer her from Gallup to Rio Rancho.

He said it had no role in UNM’s decision, adding that he didn’t know what effect it had on her decision to accept the new position.

Attempts to contact Miller for a comment were unsuccessful but, in the news release, she stated that she thought “it is time for me to pursue other challenges. There is much I still want to contribute to education in New Mexico.”

Major accomplishments during Miller’s tenure as executive director include passage of a $16 million local GO Bond allowing for campus expansion, the reinvigoration of the nursing program, the success of the Middle College charter high school, the expansion of partnerships with area businesses, the strengthening of relationships with area legislators and many years of successful partnerships with area public, private and BIA educational agencies.

Holder said he plans to meet with the school’s advisory board to get recommendations on who should be named the acting director and hopes that that decision can be made as soon as possible so that work can begin on getting a permanent director. He said he didn’t think a permanent director would be chosen by the start of the fall semester but he hoped to have someone in place shortly after that.