Cheri A. Jimeno sees a lot of opportunity in work force development and community education in her new role as campus executive officer at New Mexico State University Alamogordo.

“The potential is here,” Jimeno said. “It’s a great service center.”

Jimeno, formerly the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Montana State University-Northern in Havre from 2003-2007, began her NMSU duties May 10.

From 2001 until 2003 she served as dean of the School of Education, Business and Technology at the University of Montana-Western in Dillon. From 1985 to 2001 she was a faculty member at UM-Western, where she taught courses such as business information systems, systems analysis and design, and strategic management.

With her background at affiliated campuses in Montana, Jimeno feels at home at NMSU Alamogordo. She was attracted by the weather, the size of Alamogordo and its nearness to the mountains.

Her first focus as CEO was to meet with residents, educators and leaders in the community, including the military leadership at Holloman Air Force Base and tribal leaders at the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation.

“I wanted to hear what they want, what they see as a need,” Jimeno said.

Jimeno earned a Ph.D. in education and business information systems at Utah State University in 2000. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Montana-Missoula in 1972 and a master’s in business education at Montana State University-Bozeman in 1985.