Our Leadership

Ricky Serna has worked in public education and state government for over a dozen years and previously served as acting leadership for the Department of Workforce Solutions and the State Personnel Office. Prior to joining the Lujan Grisham administration he served as the interim president at Luna Community College, where he successfully led an effort to overcome significant accreditation and governance challenges. He also served as the Vice President for Advancement at Northern New Mexico College and spent nearly five years with the New Mexico Higher Education Department, providing field oversight for a statewide project aimed at increasing student graduation rates within 21 school districts.

Serna has served on the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents, NM JTIP Board, the Las Vegas City Schools Board of Education, the New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation, and as president of the Española Valley Chamber of Commerce Board. A first-generation college graduate from Española, NM, he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational leadership, both from New Mexico Highlands University.