SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday announced three appointments to the boards of regents for New Mexico Highlands University, the New Mexico School for the Deaf, and Western New Mexico University. The appointees must be confirmed by the Senate.

Gov. Lujan Grisham announced the following nominees: 

• Robert Lucero to New Mexico Highlands University for a six-year term through Dec. 31, 2028.
• Dalva Lon Moellenberg to Western New Mexico University for a six-year term through Dec. 31, 2028.
• Rebecca Anderson to the New Mexico School for the Deaf for a six-year term through Dec. 31, 2028.

“These individuals play a critical role in guiding the future of education, research, workforce, and economic development in New Mexico for years to come, and our colleges, universities, and ultimately, our higher education students, will benefit from the experience, knowledge, and insights each of these individuals will provide,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham.

Robert Lucero is the director of the University of New Mexico’s Mariachi Ensemble and an attorney at law, with a practice centering on real estate, land use, and estate planning. Lucero is active in community service with several boards and organizations such as the UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust, the State Bar of New Mexico Committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession, the UNM School of Law Alumni/ae Association (Past President), and the United Way of Central New Mexico Hispano Philanthropic Society. He has taught as an adjunct faculty member at the UNM School of Law, and he is a frequent presenter at continuing legal education classes. He has a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a law degree from the University of New Mexico Law School. Both his father and grandfather are graduates of New Mexico Highlands University.

Dr. Rebecca Anderson has been an activist within the deaf community since the 1980s when she learned her son was deaf. Dr. Anderson led the Anderson Animal Clinic veterinary practice for nearly 35 years, serving animals and communities within a 150-mile radius. She serves her community through volunteer roles with her church, 4-H, the New Mexico School for the Deaf, and the Wounded Warriors Project. She has raised seven children, five of her own and two adopted. Dr. Anderson has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University.

Dalva Lon Moellenberg is an accomplished lawyer, having practiced law for nearly 40 years. He manages the Santa Fe office of the Gallagher and Kennedy Law firm, concentrating on water quality and water rights, Superfund, hazardous waste, mining law and mined land reclamation, and oil and gas law. Moellenberg has been named a Southwest Super Lawyer since 2007, recognized among the Best Lawyers in America since 1999, and is ranked in Chambers USA. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and a law degree from Arizona State University.

Public four-year colleges, universities, and special schools are governed by boards of regents consisting of members who serve six-year terms and student members who serve two-year terms. The Board of Regents is responsible for governance of the school, including establishment of goals and policies, and overall operation and management. Other functions include approving degrees awarded and appointing the president or chancellor of an institution. Members of Boards of Regents serve in a voluntary capacity and are not compensated for their service.

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