The New Mexico Senate has confirmed Jordan Banegas and Kari Mitchell as regents at New Mexico State University.
Both were appointed to the board by Gov. Susana Martinez. Banegas, who is the new student regent, will be seated at the Board of Regents meeting Monday, March 11. Mitchell has been serving as a regent since July when she was appointed to fill a vacancy.
"Regent Mitchell has proven herself to be a valuable member of our board. Regent Banegas has considerable knowledge of the institution and will bring unique perspectives to our deliberations moving forward. We are all looking forward to working with him," said Regents Chair Mike Cheney.
Banegas, the son of Lawrence and Pancha Banegas, is a fourth-year marketing and psychology student at NMSU. He grew up in Las Cruces where he attended Mesilla Valley Christian Schools, graduating in 2009. On campus, Banegas has been involved with the Finance Club, Reformed University Fellowship, Kappa Sigma Fraternity and most recently served as the ASNMSU Governmental Affairs Assistant Director where he advocated on behalf of students at the local and state level. Outside of school, Banegas has staffed local political campaigns and today works part-time in the human resources department at Kohl's Department Stores. After college, he plans to work on political campaigns and eventually work in political consulting in New Mexico.
"NMSU is definitely at a crossroads in many ways. It is an honor for me to serve with my fellow regents to guide the university not only for today's students, but for future students as well," Banegas said.
Mitchell is the CEO and owner of Las Cruces Machine, Mfg. & Engineering and serves on the executive committee of the Bridge of Southern New Mexico. Mitchell is a member of NMSU's Town-Gown Commission, which aims to strengthen ties between the university and the community. She is past chair of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and was a founding board member of the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership. She holds an MBA from the University of Houston-Clear Lake as well as a bachelor's in marketing and management from Adams State College.
"It continues to be a pleasure to work alongside these individuals to continue the excellence the university has obtained while ensuring a high return on educational investment through graduate outcomes, and focusing on the employability of our students," Mitchell said.