New Mexico Senate confirms two regents for Western New Mexico University; student regent presented
March 17, 2025 | House of Representatives, Legislative, New Mexico
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The New Mexico Senate on March 13 confirmed John V. Wertheim and Joseph Dean Reed to the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents and considered the student regent nomination of Kianna Rochelle Huerta.
The confirmations of Wertheim and Reed were recorded by voice and show-of-hands votes during the floor session. A roll call or unanimous-consent procedure accompanied Senator Gabriel Ramos’s motion to confirm Reed; the session transcript shows recorded tallies for Wertheim (34 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative) and Reed (37 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative). The transcript included praise from multiple senators for all three nominees but did not include a recorded vote for the student regent in the excerpt provided.
Why it matters: Board of regents appointments determine governance of the university, including oversight of budgets, academic programs and executive hires. Filling vacancies ensures the board can act on routine and urgent matters affecting students and communities served by Western New Mexico University (WNMU).
John V. Wertheim’s appointment was announced and confirmed on the Senate floor; the transcript records a 34-0 affirmative tally for his appointment to a term commencing upon confirmation and expiring Dec. 31, 2026. Senators on the floor praised his integrity and willingness to advocate for the university.
Joseph Dean Reed was moved for confirmation on the floor by Senator Gabriel Ramos. Ramos said, “I move that the senate do hereby confirm the appointment of Joseph Dean Reed to the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents,” and asked unanimous consent that the record show those present voted in the affirmative. The transcript records Reed’s confirmation with a tally of 37-0 in the affirmative and a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
The student-member nomination presented to the Senate was Kianna Rochelle Huerta (also spelled “Kiana” in the floor remarks). According to the floor remarks, the presentation was made pursuant to “Senate executive letter message number 9, dated 03/13/2025.” Senators described Huerta as a Level 2 nursing student at WNMU, an ASWNMU senator and vice president of the student nurses association, and noted her involvement in local government and as a recording artist. Multiple senators spoke in strong support of her nomination during floor debate. The provided transcript excerpt does not include a recorded final vote for the student-member nomination.
Votes at a glance: John V. Wertheim — confirmed 34-0 (term to 12/31/2026). Joseph Dean Reed — confirmed 37-0 (term to 12/31/2026). Kianna Rochelle Huerta — nomination presented; vote not specified in the provided transcript.
The confirmations leave two regents with terms beginning immediately and expiring at the end of 2026; the Senate floor record shows collegial praise and bipartisan support during the presentations. Senators also referenced prior committee consideration and thanked colleagues for moving the confirmations so the regents could assume their duties.
No statutes, ordinances or other legal authorities beyond a referenced Senate executive letter are cited in the excerpt provided. The transcript does not record dissenting votes or conditions placed on the confirmations in the provided excerpts.
(Reporting based on the Senate floor transcript excerpt provided.)
The confirmations of Wertheim and Reed were recorded by voice and show-of-hands votes during the floor session. A roll call or unanimous-consent procedure accompanied Senator Gabriel Ramos’s motion to confirm Reed; the session transcript shows recorded tallies for Wertheim (34 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative) and Reed (37 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative). The transcript included praise from multiple senators for all three nominees but did not include a recorded vote for the student regent in the excerpt provided.
Why it matters: Board of regents appointments determine governance of the university, including oversight of budgets, academic programs and executive hires. Filling vacancies ensures the board can act on routine and urgent matters affecting students and communities served by Western New Mexico University (WNMU).
John V. Wertheim’s appointment was announced and confirmed on the Senate floor; the transcript records a 34-0 affirmative tally for his appointment to a term commencing upon confirmation and expiring Dec. 31, 2026. Senators on the floor praised his integrity and willingness to advocate for the university.
Joseph Dean Reed was moved for confirmation on the floor by Senator Gabriel Ramos. Ramos said, “I move that the senate do hereby confirm the appointment of Joseph Dean Reed to the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents,” and asked unanimous consent that the record show those present voted in the affirmative. The transcript records Reed’s confirmation with a tally of 37-0 in the affirmative and a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
The student-member nomination presented to the Senate was Kianna Rochelle Huerta (also spelled “Kiana” in the floor remarks). According to the floor remarks, the presentation was made pursuant to “Senate executive letter message number 9, dated 03/13/2025.” Senators described Huerta as a Level 2 nursing student at WNMU, an ASWNMU senator and vice president of the student nurses association, and noted her involvement in local government and as a recording artist. Multiple senators spoke in strong support of her nomination during floor debate. The provided transcript excerpt does not include a recorded final vote for the student-member nomination.
Votes at a glance: John V. Wertheim — confirmed 34-0 (term to 12/31/2026). Joseph Dean Reed — confirmed 37-0 (term to 12/31/2026). Kianna Rochelle Huerta — nomination presented; vote not specified in the provided transcript.
The confirmations leave two regents with terms beginning immediately and expiring at the end of 2026; the Senate floor record shows collegial praise and bipartisan support during the presentations. Senators also referenced prior committee consideration and thanked colleagues for moving the confirmations so the regents could assume their duties.
No statutes, ordinances or other legal authorities beyond a referenced Senate executive letter are cited in the excerpt provided. The transcript does not record dissenting votes or conditions placed on the confirmations in the provided excerpts.
(Reporting based on the Senate floor transcript excerpt provided.)
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