In April, alumna Ermelinda Quintela took the reins as the executive director of the New Mexico State University Alumni Association.

“Ermelinda’s service to the Alumni Association as a past board member and president of the Alumni Executive Council impressed the selection committee,” said Rebecca Dukes, vice president for university advancement. “She not only held positions of leadership with the group, but she continued to volunteer long after her term ended. Her passion and commitment to the Alumni Association and the university were cited as some of the many outstanding qualities that she brings to this key position at NMSU.”

Quintela said the passion she has for NMSU and its success drove her desire to serve the university as the executive director of the alumni association.

“We have a lot of alums who want to be involved; we just need to reach out to them,” Quintela said. “Alumni involvement helps the university succeed. We have a lot of programs we can build on.”

Quintela has three degrees from NMSU. She began her academic career at NMSU Carlsbad before transferring to the Las Cruces campus for a bachelor’s in business administration with a major in finance as well as a bachelor’s in accounting in 1988. She received her Certified Public Accountant status in 1991 and earned a master’s in accounting in 1994.

Quintela has previously served NMSU in a variety of roles. In 1992 she worked with the university’s grant and contract accounting department. In 2005 she accepted a position with the Advancement Office as director of gift and foundation accounting. From there she was asked to assist the Physical Science Laboratory (PSL) as their senior administrative director.

Quintela’s community service and professional associations range from board membership with the Mesilla Valley Hospice, United Blood Services, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, Texas Society of CPAs and others.