SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University has selected Valerio Ferme as its next president.

In a special meeting Thursday, the NMSU Board of Regents voted unanimously to select Ferme as the university system’s next president. The move follows a national search and visits from four finalists last month.

Ferme most recently served as executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Cincinnati, where he championed student success via numerous access and retention investments.

“To the presidential candidates, thank you for your interest in NMSU and for sharing your vision for our university’s future. Your participation has enriched this process immeasurably,” Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali said during the meeting. “To the NMSU community – our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends in Las Cruces, throughout New Mexico, and around the world – your engagement has been inspiring. The hundreds of feedback submissions we received following the faculty/staff, student, and community forums provided invaluable insights. Your voices are a big part of the success of this process.”

Interim President Mónica Torres will continue to serve in that role until Ferme can begin his new role at NMSU. His start date will be determined during contract negotiations that will be presented for the board’s approval at a future open meeting.

“I would like to add a very big thank you to Dr. Monica Torres for her leadership as interim president. We look forward to her continued leadership as we transition to our new administration,” Devasthali said. “To the members of the Presidential Search Committee, your tireless efforts and dedication have been the cornerstone of this endeavor. Your commitment to finding the best possible leader for NMSU is truly appreciated."

“Finally, a special thank you to my fellow members of the Board of Regents,” Devasthali continued. “Your dedication to this thorough and collaborative process has been extraordinary. We recognize the sacrifices you have made, taking time away from your professional lives and families for many months. Your commitment to finding the right leader for NMSU is a testament to your unwavering service to our university.”

Ferme joined the University of Cincinnati in 2019 as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. As dean, he spearheaded a commitment to research that increased sponsored awards from $10 million to more than $22 million annually while expanding its pedagogy in experiential-based learning and co-operative education. Ferme was the first university dean to create a post of associate dean for Inclusive Excellence and Community Partnerships, which has since been adopted across the university.

Prior to UC, Ferme served as dean of the College of Arts and Letters at Northern Arizona University and divisional dean for Arts and Humanities at the University of Colorado, where he taught for 19 years and served repeatedly as chair of the Department of French and Italian.

At NAU, Ferme increased underrepresented faculty hires and bolstered collaborations between students and organizations in Flagstaff area as well as with Native people on Arizona’s high plains.

In Colorado, Ferme’s work focused on curricular enhancements and support for underrepresented minorities. In 2014, Ferme received Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence in Teaching Award; in 2017 he received Special Recognition Award from Office Diversity Equity Community Engagement inclusive excellence work.

Ferme earned undergraduate degrees biology religious studies Brown University; Master’s Degrees comparative literature Italian studies Indiana University; Ph.D comparative literature University California-Berkeley awarded Fulbright Chancellor’s fellowships scholar published three monographs edited volumes scholarly translations bilingual collection poetry over 60 articles reviews.

---