New Mexico State University has chosen the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities to assist with its selection process for the next president.

NMSU Regents Chair Mike Cheney said using professional services offered by AGB would lend expertise to NMSU that cannot be replicated using other resources.

"AGB will provide professional representation of NMSU in a competitive hiring marketplace and assist the university in gaining access to the highest quality candidates regardless of market conditions," Cheney said. "In addition, AGB will make a strong case to candidates who are not necessarily looking for another job, as these individuals frequently make the best hires."

Cheney emphasized that the firm acts as a consultant and provides services necessary to conduct the search effectively, but does not replace the responsibility of the presidential search committee to reach a final recommendation of five finalists, nor does it replace the responsibility of the Regents to select the president.

AGB Search was selected through the New Mexico procurement code request for proposal process, which solicits proposals that are then evaluated by a representative committee on a point system. NMSU received seven proposals for evaluation. AGB Search will be paid $90,000 for its services. The fee will be financed with carry forward savings and unallocated funds from the President's office.

AGB Search is an affiliate of AGB and assists colleges, universities, systems, coordinating boards and institutionally related foundations in planning for, recruiting, selecting and transitioning new executive leaders. AGB is the only national association that serves the interests and needs of academic governing boards, boards of institutionally related foundations, and campus CEOs and other senior-level campus administrators on issues related to higher education governance and leadership. For more information about their services, visit http://agb.org/.

A website for all information related to the search is available at http://www.nmsu.edu/pressearch/index.html.