FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Dyrcz
May 6, 2026 505-554-8679


Las Vegas – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Whitney Holland, National Education Association-New Mexico President Bethany Jarrell, and New Mexico Highlands University Faculty and Staff Association (NMHUFASA) Co-President Dr. Kathy Jenkins released the following statement:

“The removal of Dr. Neil Woolf as New Mexico Highlands University president by the Board of Regents comes after months of documented concerns from our union, members of the Highlands University Faculty and Staff Association, and the wider Highlands community.

After collective bargaining agreement violations, attempts to fire and privatize essential positions of our university staff, and the gross mismanagement of worker safety issues at the Ivan Hilton Science Building, we are not surprised by the actions of the Board of Regents.

This change in leadership represents an opportunity for the new, interim president, Kimberly Blea, to reset the University’s course and work to heal divisions and restore the mutual respect between administration and faculty and staff that make our university community strong.

The members of the New Mexico Highlands University Faculty and Staff Association stand ready to meet with interim President Blea and work collaboratively to rebuild trust and move our beloved University forward for the benefit of students, faculty, staff, and the wider Las Vegas community where we live, work, and teach.”

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The New Mexico Highlands Faculty and Staff Association is a joint-affiliate of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, maintaining membership in both the AFT New Mexico and NEA-NM.