Bruce Hamlett, executive director of the Commission on Higher Education, publicly announced Monday his resignation because after nine years, he said he has accomplished the goals he established for himself.
"Over time, your ability to get things done begins to wane," Hamlett said. "This is a hard job, it takes its toll on you, both physically and mentally."
The search now begins to find a replacement for Hamlett, who will officially step down at the end of the year.
The state's executive committee met yesterday to discuss options for replacing Hamlett, one of which the director said could be an interim director that will be appointed until a suitable replacement is found.
Yesterday's executive committee meeting included Hamlett, the chairman and the vice chairman, as well as the heads of the commission's three standing committees.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Those six members of the commission discussed director-replacement options, such as advertising for the open position, search criteria and the different types of searches that are available to it.
"They have made some preliminary discussions," Hamlett said.
But, he added, this is only the beginning of the search for a new director.
Lisa Roybal, liaison officer for the commission, said the executive committee also discussed requirements for the new director.
Both Hamlett and Roybal said this was the first meeting concerning finding a replacement for the commission's top position.
The Commission on Higher Education is the state's coordinating body for post-secondary education institutions. The governor appoints its members.
Hamlett began his career in education as a professor of political science at Santa Clara University and then became the deputy director of the California Post-Secondary Education Commission. The California commission serves the same purpose as the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education.
Hamlett said during his time in Santa Fe, he is particularly proud of the work he and the commission have performed on establishing the K-16 partnership and also the effort to repair the statewide backlog of deferred maintenance.
The K-16 partnership is an effort between the commission and the state department of education and the state board of education to improve teacher quality as a means of improving higher education student quality.
The move to increase funding for the repair and maintenance of institutional buildings and classrooms has culminated in Issue B, a bill that will appear on the November ballot asking voters to dedicate $49 million to the upgrade and maintenance of educational facilities across the state.
UNM stands to gain about $6 million if the bill is passed by voters, Hamlett said.
Hamlett said he does not know exactly what he will do after his term at the commission is complete Dec. 31.
"My next step will be where God wants me to go," Hamlett said.
