Portales, NM – January 19, 2024 – The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents announced a contract extension running through January 1, 2028, for current ENMU Chancellor James Johnston.

ENMU Board of Regents President Trish Ruiz made the announcement on behalf of the ENMU Board of Regents, which unanimously supported the extension of Johnston’s agreement with the University.

“The Board of Regents continues to witness enrollment increases as evidenced by the largest enrollment growth in over a decade on our campuses,” said the ENMU Board of Regents President, Trish Ruiz. “We eagerly remain dedicated to partnering and collaborating with Chancellor Johnston in advancing our collective goals, mission, and vision for One Eastern! We enthusiastically and unanimously support the contract extension.”

“I am very excited by the contract extension. For me, it represents a mutual commitment to a shared vision and direction,” said James Johnston, ENMU Chancellor. “I look forward to the great things we will accomplish together.”

Since Johnston arrived at ENMU, the University has seen several accomplishments.

  • ENMU saw its largest enrollment growth in over a decade, with a first-time freshman class up 14.4%, new transfer students up 16.5%, and total graduate enrollment up 3.3%; overall enrollment increased to 5,398, a 5.7% increase from the 2022-23 school year
  • The number of full-time students for undergraduate and graduate classes was up for the 23-24 school year, leading to an 8.4% increase in student credit hours, adding over 4,000 more student credit hours compared to the 22-23 school year.
  • ENMU continued to engage the Portales community with the Rally on Main community pep rally and concert this past fall and their continued commitment to an annual concert featuring nationally renowned artists Aaron Watson in the spring of 2023 and Rodney Atkins in the spring of 2024.
  • Additional coordination with the community and region included continued work on access to behavioral health, business growth and efforts to attract new business, and paid internships for students.
  • Several ENMU facilities have had significant renovations in the last year, with important projects nearing completion or underway in the Roosevelt Science Center renovation, the demolition of Harding Hall, the demolition of Bernalillo Hall, the start of construction on the new Student Academic Service Building, and several improvements to athletics facilities including the installation of new lights to the Greyhound Baseball Stadium
  • The creation of a Vice President for Advancement and Public Relations position to help lead major gifts and diversify revenue streams at the University.
  • Creation and work on One Eastern, a vision to create system-wide access to all programs offered and seamless, supportive student engagement from start to graduation.

Details on Johnston’s contract extension, running through January 1, 2028, include a 6% salary increase, an increase to his car allowance, and a one-time retention payment if goals and performance expectations are met at the end of the 4-year contract term.

For more information on Eastern New Mexico University, visit www.enmu.edu