IMMEDIATE RELASE: 4-26-05 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

SILVER CITY--“It is the right place at the right time and the right fit,” said Western New Mexico University Vice President of Business Affairs Christine Casey as her reason for accepting a position with the University of California system.

Vice President Casey will finish her contract at Western through June 30, 2005 and begin her new position in July 2005.

Ms. Casey will assume the duties of Assistant Vice President for Administrative Services in the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of California Office of the President. She will be responsible for administrative functions of the division such as the Controller’s Office, Financial Services, Budget Office, Contracts and Grants, Communication Services, ANR Analytical Lab, Staff Personnel and the Facilities Planning and Management Office with a budget of $340 million.

The University of California system includes the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. The UC system has more that 208,000 students and 128,000 faculty and staff.

Casey, 35, began employment at Western in October of 1993. Positions held during her tenure at WNMU include internal auditor, comptroller and VPBA. She earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from New Mexico State University, a master of business administration degree from WNMU, and has a CPA license since 1995.

Although Casey says she will miss the community and the WNMU family of students, staff and faculty, she is pleased to continue her career goals in higher education.

“This position is a chance for professional advancement for me. It will help me meet my long term career goal of being a Vice President at a major research institution. Ever since I began my career at Western in 1993, I found I really enjoy higher education,” said Casey. “I am sad and happy at the same time. I am sad because I work with truly great people at Western and will greatly miss my parents and family. I owe WNMU President John Counts an enormous amount of gratitude for the opportunities that he has given me here at the institution. Without those opportunities I know I wouldn’t even have a chance at a position like this. It is going to be really difficult to leave but I am excited about the new opportunities that are in front of me.”

The accomplishments she is most proud of during her time as VPBA is the financial status of the institution and the quality work performed by her staff.

“WNMU has been financially sound since I have been in the business office; our audits have been very good. I am proud of that. Additionally, I am proud of the people that I work with everyday (my directors and their staff). I think they do a great job.”

As for WNMU’s future, Casey says, “President Counts is going to be here for quite awhile. I think the stability in that position is critical. I believe the institution has already achieved an enormous amount of success and will continue to do so.”

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