About the Rio Grande Chapter
The CUPA-HR Rio Grande Chapter brings together HR professionals in higher education to exchange best practices, connect with others in our field, and provide meaningful educational opportunities on topics important and relevant to our field. We are always looking for higher ed HR professionals in our area who want to get involved and help out. If this sounds like you, please contact us.
Learn more about CUPA-HR's mission, values and priorities here.
2025-2026 Rio Grande Chapter Board
Franci Phelan
President
Chief Human Resources Officer
Central New Mexico Community College
Emily Luhman
President Elect
Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer
University of New Mexico, Department of Human Resources
LaRee Boyle
Secretary
Operations Manager
University of New Mexico, School of Medicine- Department of Surgery
Betsy Banks
Treasurer
ASC Financial Operations Manager, Administration & Finance
New Mexico State University
Vanetta Busch
Past President
Director, Hazing Prevention and Organizational Development Adjunct Professor for HR Management/Development, School of Business, Management Department
New Mexico State University
Cherisse Smith
Member at Large
Unit Manager - Auxiliary Services Personnel University Student Housing
Texas Tech University
Arizve Ochoa-Retana
Member at Large
Human Resources Director, Workforce Engagement
University of Texas El Paso
Steven Gonzales
Member at Large
Director of Human Resources
Southeast New Mexico College
Yesenia Palma
Member at Large
Assistant Dean
New Mexico State University, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
Brenna Leising
Member at Large
Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center