UNL senior vice chancellor Barbara Couture named NMSU president

Barbara Couture, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was appointed Thursday as the new president of New Mexico State University. She leaves behind a lasting legacy at UNL, as well as yet another administrative position that will need to be filled.

During its Thursday meeting, the New Mexico State University Board of Regents announced it had selected Couture to lead its five-campus institution. The position will take effect Jan. 1.

“Dr. Couture is the best fit for this university,” NMSU’s Regents Chairman Blake Curtis said during the meeting, which was streamed on the university’s Web site. He described Couture as “the most balanced individual” and said she was chosen because she understands diversity as well as faculty and staff.

“She has recognized the needs of the university,” Curtis said. “We appreciate the stability she will bring to the university.”

Couture is the first female president the university has had, said  Javier Gonzales, NMSU Regents vice chairman.

“Today, we’re bringing in a skilled executive,” Gonzales said. “This day brings us an individual with grace and charm and lots of intelligence.”

At the meeting, Couture was greeted with cheers and a standing ovation. With her husband Paul by her side, Couture said, “From the beginning, as soon as I stepped foot on this campus, we knew this was the place for us.

“The NMSU community of faculty, students and staff impressed me from the very beginning with their hopes and dreams for this great university to be the best it can be.”

Couture joined the UNL administration on Aug. 15, 2004. She had previous academic appointments at Washington State University and Wayne State University in Detroit.

In her five years at UNL, Couture has left an impact at the university, UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman said Thursday. She was active in reforming general education, which led to the new Achievement-Centered Education program. She also helped develop international partnership degree programs in China.

Just this week, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale chose not to hire Couture as its new president, a position for which she was a finalist. She was also a finalist for the presidency at the University of Albany in New York earlier this year.

“I was disappointed for us but very excited for her,” Perlman said. “She’s wanted to run her own institution for a while, and she’s ready.”

Couture’s absence leaves one more job opening at UNL. The journalism, law and business colleges all have dean positions that need to be filled. Plus, John Owens, vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, announced earlier this semester his plans to step down next year.

Perlman said he hasn’t set a time line yet to fill her position, but an interim vice chancellor will most likely be appointed shortly.

“She’s leaving Jan. 1, which is fine. It’s a good thing,” Perlman said. “I don’t like long transitions. When you have a new job, that’s where your mind is.

“But I’m confident, we’ve got good people working here.”
katiesteiner@dailynebraskan.com