Governor Nominates New UNM Student Regent

At least one of the three open University of New Mexico regents spots could be filled soon.

Governor Susana Martinez on Friday announced the nomination of UNM medical student Heidi Overton, of Albuqeurque, to be the next student regent. Overton still has to be confirmed by the state senate.

Overton, who also received her bachelor’s degree from UNM, will replace student regent Jake Wellman, who was appointed in 2010. Student regents have full voting power, but serve two-year terms instead of the usual six-year terms for regular regents.

Overton, if confirmed, will be one of three new regents. Terms for regents Don Chalmers and Carolyn Abeita expired last year, although they will serve until replaced. The governor has full say over university regents. Her spokesman said last week that she’ll make replacement recommendations for the senate to consider before this year’s session ends on March 16.

The process for selecting student regents is slightly different than regular ones: The governor picks student regents based on recommendations from student organizations and from the university, while she has full discretion to pick regular regents.

Martinez also announced the new student regent nominees for other state colleges.

Jordan Banegas, a Las Cruces undergraduate studying finance and psychology, was nominated to serve on the NMSU board.

Camille Hawkins, of Show Low, Arizona, was nominated to be student regent at Western New Mexico University. She’s an undergrad studying biology. Martinez also nominated Chase Sturdevant, of Silver City, to serve on the Eastern new Mexico University regents, and Israel Rodriguez-Rios, of Socorro, to serve on the New Mexico Tech one.