Jose Z. Garcia
Gov.-elect Susana Martinez has nominated a Democrat to be her administration’s secretary of higher education – New Mexico State University government professor Jose Z. Garcia.
Garcia, a political analyst who has written columns for this site, endorsed Martinez in August. He’s the first Democrat to be chosen to serve as a secretary in the administration of Martinez, a Republican. His nomination was announced today in a news release.
Garcia has been a professor at NMSU since 1975 and was the director of the NMSU Center for Latin American Studies from 1991 to 2003. He’s also a former member of the New Mexico Border Authority.
“Dr. Garcia is a talented educator who will help me streamline New Mexico’s higher education system,” Martinez said. “His charge is to ensure that our universities and colleges provide students with all they need to be competitive in today’s global job market and the opportunity to develop their talents and skills right here in New Mexico.”
Garcia said he looks forward to joining Martinez’s administration.
“She has asked me to ensure that our colleges and universities are among the leading centers of education and research in the nation,” he said. “Our focus must be on preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow in the most efficient means possible.”