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Jan 17, 2024 · Higher Education Department

HED Secretary Rodriguez returns to role following maternity leave

Stephanie J. Montoya (she, her, ella)

Communications Director

2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505

stephanie.j.montoya@hed.nm.gov

(505) 467-9605

Follow @NMHigherEd on Twitter , Facebook , & Instagram

From: Montoya, Stephanie J, HED <Stephanie.J.Montoya@hed.nm.gov>

Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 11:34 AM

To: Montoya, Stephanie J, HED <Stephanie.J.Montoya@hed.nm.gov>

Subject: [RELEASE] HED Secretary Rodriguez returns to role following maternity leave

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact : Stephanie J. Montoya

Communications Director

stephanie.j.montoya@hed.nm.gov

(505) 467-9605

January 16, 2024

Higher Education Secretary Rodriguez returns to role following maternity leave

SANTA FE – Last week, Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez returned to her role as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Higher Education Department following a temporary absence as her and her husband welcomed their first child.

"I am grateful for the time I was able to spend focusing on my family and becoming a new mother over the past four months, and for all my colleagues who kept up the important work of the New Mexico Higher Education Department in my absence," said Secretary Rodriguez . "Upon my return, I am eager to keep championing higher education and New Mexico students."

Patricia Trujillo, Ph.D. oversaw the agency and will return to her preexisting role as Deputy Secretary.

"Over the last four months, the New Mexico Higher Education Department continued to make progress for students. I’m glad that we have a family-friendly work environment that allows us to support new families in our agency. I’m looking forward to welcoming Secretary Rodriguez back as we work with valued colleagues to support and uplift New Mexico students, families and communities in 2024,” Dr. Trujillo said .

Anyone needing to contact the New Mexico Higher Education Department can do so by visiting hed.nm.gov or calling (505) 476-8400, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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The New Mexico Higher Education Department was established in 2005 and oversees the state’s public and tribal colleges, universities and special schools. It also oversees adult education and literacy programs statewide, manages state-funded financial aid programs and capital projects for higher education institutions, provides college readiness services via the GEAR UP program, and grants state authorization to private colleges operating within New Mexico. For more information, visit hed.nm.gov or follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @NMHigherEd.

Stephanie J. Montoya (she, her, ella)

Communications Director

2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505

stephanie.j.montoya@hed.nm.gov

(505) 467-9605

Follow @NMHigherEd on Twitter , Facebook , & Instagram