Dr. Beverlee J. McClure
Dr. Beverlee J. McClure is the president and CEO of the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry (ACI). ACI serves as the statewide chamber of commerce and serves as a policy think tank for business‐related issues. In this capacity, Dr. McClure is working to facilitate positive change in the laws and regulations that govern business and industry. Dr. McClure also serves as the director for the New Mexico Center for Economic Gardening. The Center works to help second‐stage growth companies realize their full potential by generating increased revenue and expanding employment. Previously, Dr. McClure served as New Mexico’s first cabinet secretary of higher education, a position she held for almost two years. In this position, she created the department and championed such causes as a $100 million endowment in the College Affordability Fund to help meet the financial needs of low‐income students. Under her leadership, the department conducted the first‐ever study of faculty and staff compensation in an effort to garner support for parity with peer institutions. Dr. McClure came to New Mexico as the president of Clovis Community College. During her presidency, the college became a Title V Hispanic‐Serving Institution, and created the award‐ winning Center for Student Success. Additionally, she started the Cultural Arts Series, positioned the college to be a leader in economic development efforts, and increased the amount of revenue from private donors. While serving as president, she was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to serve on the State Board of Education that governed K‐12 and as the vice‐chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Higher Education, and the Chair of the Governor’s Education Transition Team. Previously, Dr. McClure was provost of the St. Augustine Campus of St. Johns River Community College in Florida, and the Assistant Vice President for Student Services and University Center Operations for University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. Dr. McClure is the Chair of the board for YES Housing, the chair of the New Mexico Early Childhood Development Partnership Advisory Council, and the Treasurer of the New Mexico Community Capital Board. She serves on the Rio Grande Water Fund Advisory Board, and the Unidos Council. She is a member of the New Mexico Women’s Forum and the New Mexico Amigos.Beverlee J. McClure, Ed.D.
Dear Presidential Search Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to be considered as a candidate for the presidency of Hostos Community College. I am currently president and CEO of the Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico (ACI) that serves as the statewide chamber of commerce. I enjoy my position, however, I welcome the opportunity to re-enter higher education, since education has been my passion, both in training and in my heart. It would be a distinct honor to be considered as your next leader.
The diverse population of the Hostos’ student body is one that I have experience serving. As a first generation college student, I can personally relate to the need to provide support services in a seamless manner in order to allow the student the ability to focus on their academic endeavor. In fact, it wasn’t until I enrolled at a local community college that I received the support and encouragement that provided the confidence for me to pursue a higher degree and ultimately a successful career.
Although my chosen career path is not one traditionally taken by a college president, my background only serves to further enrich what I offer the college’s community. I originally brought my MBA and my private-sector work experience to the educational arena as Assistant Vice President for Student Services at University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. After serving as a Provost in Florida, I had the opportunity to serve as President of Clovis Community College. As the first cabinet-level Secretary of Higher Education for the State of New Mexico, I was very fortunate to have been able to create a department, and to gain knowledge and experience in the governmental administration of statewide education. After serving in the governor’s cabinet, I came full circle and brought my educational, governmental and lobbying experience back to work for business and industry. This combination of work experience combined with my own education is a valuable asset, strengthening my understanding of the issues, not only internally within the college, but also of those entities we serve externally. In addition, it helps me to better align the processes and services of the college to meet the needs of the students we serve as we prepare them to enter the workforce and to gain economic and social mobility. I am committed to the comprehensive mission of Hostos Community College. As president and CEO of the Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico, I represent business from all industry sectors and geographic regions of the State. As Cabinet Secretary of Higher Education for New Mexico, I was responsible for three research institutions, four comprehensive
universities, and eighteen two-year institutions. In the community college field, I served as president of Clovis Community College for almost six years. As a comprehensive community college, Clovis Community College offers everything from a GED to a liberal arts transfer degree.
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The commitment to create and embrace a comprehensive philosophy at Clovis Community College is prevalent with the creation of the Center for Student Success, housing everything from the Adult Basic Education program to student tutoring, developmental education, minority-student recruitment, counseling and mentoring, and a literacy program for students with limited English proficiency (ESL). During my administration, we expanded and improved our technical and vocational programs to include industry-specific certifications and new curriculum better designed for the workplace. At the same time, we created a long-needed Liberal Arts Division to enhance our transfer programs, adding performing arts, sign language, and early childhood education among other additional programs.
We accomplished this through a collaborative process. Our faculty expressed concern about students who were not prepared for college-level courses. Our low retention rate reflected this concern. We took several steps to address this issue. We created the development education department and faculty worked to develop a curriculum to assist students who were not academically prepared. Once this curriculum was ready and the department prepared, we implemented mandatory testing and placement. Prior to my presidency at Clovis, students could "self-place" themselves into courses.
Preparing our students for our academic courses assisted not only students' success, but also allowed faculty the freedom to teach the course at the appropriate level. It created a more equitable faculty evaluation system. It was not fair to hold faculty accountable for students placed in courses for which they were not prepared.
My first position with University of Arkansas, Fort Smith (UAFS) was as an Instructor for the workforce training program. Then Governor Bill Clinton had proposed a statewide initiative, "Welfare to Work," to prepare people for the workforce. This training included skill training as well as life skills such as how to dress, how to find a job, etc. We were the first college to pilot the program. I was responsible for creating the curriculum, the framework for the program, and the assessment tool for evaluating effectiveness. After the first participants went through the program, I worked to modify the curriculum as needed. We ran four programs and each had a 90% placement rate for the participants. The program was then implemented statewide using the curriculum and format I had developed.
Hostos Community College has been, and will continue to be, a key component of economic development for the region it serves. The next president must be entrepreneurial in spirit and in service. Economic development and its connection to education are fundamental elements of my current and past positions. One of the reasons I was selected for my current position was my previous work in economic development. At Clovis, we were instrumental in the
recruitment of a large cheese processing plant to the city, as well as being involved in all
economic development initiatives for the region. The college also led the effort to recruit a 200-seat call center to our area. As president and CEO of the largest business organization in the state, it is now my responsibility to work to create a positive environment that supports
education, entrepreneurship, and economic development —not only to recruit new employers, but also to retain existing businesses and to encourage job growth for our current employers.
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In my effort to expand the resource base of ACI, I have actively sought to involve businesses of all sizes to forge inter-institutional partnerships, regardless of their geographic location or industry sector. To this end, I am the organization’s primary spokesperson—traveling on a regular basis to communities in every corner of the state. I have established new working agreements among business leaders from oil and gas corporations to agriculture, education, and everything in between. This experience has deepened my knowledge and understanding of a college’s role in creating and nurturing relationships in and among communities. If I am chosen as the next president of Hostos Community College, this experience will serve the college well as we strive to remain relevant in our academic and community-based programs. In order to be successful, your next president must be someone who can quickly assimilate and clearly understand the political climate, both locally and at the state and national level. I believe that I am qualified in this respect, having served as a college provost in Florida, a college
president and political appointee in New Mexico, and in my current position, as president and lobbyist for the statewide chamber of commerce.
A president needs to be a successful fundraiser. The Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico is completely dependent on membership dues and private investor dollars. I share the responsibility of ensuring the viability of our organization with our Board. Together we raise the required revenues, and like any business, we keep our doors open only by continuing to grow that revenue base. At times we have had to streamline our budget and reduce
expenses. Under my leadership, we launched the first ever “Investor Program” to secure additional funds for ACI and providing our Investors with additional recognition. By telling our story, and by making “the ask,” we have thus been able to thrive during the past several years operating in a recessionary environment.
Similarly, when I arrived in Clovis, the college’s foundation had a balance of $25,000. By the time I left Clovis Community College that balance had grown to over one million dollars. That balance did not include a gift of $800,000 for the Library/Technology Center. That gift
represents the single largest donation ever to the College and was obtained through a
relationship with a local bank partner. We also secured a Performing Art Center located in the downtown sector valued at $3 million. I see the primary role of the president as furthering relationships with donors and funding organizations in order to secure needed resources for the college so that it may better serve students and other stakeholders.
Raising money is only part of the equation. Being a careful steward of stakeholder dollars is just as important. I began my education career with an MBA and a strong financial background from the private sector, including time spent as an accountant for RJR Nabisco. This background served me well as Cabinet Secretary, where I was responsible not only for statewide leadership, but also for the management of a $3 billion dollar budget for all higher education and financial aid efforts in the state.
I believe strongly that it is the president’s responsibility to take an active, lead role in ensuring that resources flow to the various areas of excellence, as well as leading the effort to streamline
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processes within the college. Only through reflection, openness to new ideas, and taking a clearly-explained strategy of matching dollars with successful programs, can we better serve our students and our communities. To this end, it is the president’s responsibility to understand and encourage public and private partnerships that strengthen both the institution and the constituents served.
An equally important component of fundraising—or working the political process—is
relationship building. The president must have the energy, commitment, managerial expertise, and the drive to build key relationships that, in turn, help build key resources. We created a Cultural Arts Series at Clovis Community College that has grown and expanded into a mature performing-arts program. The importance of this series was not only offering cultural
opportunities to those who might not have had the chance to experience them, but also to nurture relationships and connections with key donors.
All of these efforts must take place in a media-aware context. The president does not have the luxury of ignoring the media and must continually project an exemplary image that reflects well on the college, the Board of Trustees, and the community served. In today’s world with real-time social and digital mass media, the president’s ability to communicate effectively is even more important. In my professional life, I have been a public figure and have often dealt with the media and with other people and organizations, while under scrutiny. Part of my
effectiveness is my own personal integrity, straightforwardness, and my dedication to those I serve; in other words, there is no down time for a president. I will always represent the college, in or out of the public eye.
My leadership style is one of inclusion. None of the accomplishments listed on my resume or in this letter was accomplished alone. I have had the opportunity and pleasure of building a great team wherever I have served. My good fortune has always been to enjoy an excellent
relationship with my co-workers. I believe that only by marshaling the talents of each member of the team can an organization reach shared goals and move forward successfully to the next level. In this global environment, inclusion is even more important; we teach inclusion and we exhibit it, thus touching the lives of so many—some who may never set foot on our campus. During my tenure at Clovis Community College, we created in-service days that included everyone from the night custodians through top-level administrators. Previously, only faculty and administrators were included with our classified and professional staff left out of the process. The same is true when the Higher Learning Commission visited the college for our accreditation. The final report was made to the entire college staff. A highlight of my presidency is when the visiting team applauded the college for our creative and visionary culture and for the inclusion of all into the processes that guided us.
I am committed to weaving technology throughout the academic experience of our students.
Under my leadership and direction at Clovis Community College, we were one of the first colleges in the state to create online degree programs. This endeavor was not initially supported by faculty. In fact, it took months of working with the Faculty Senate and the
B. McClure 5 Curriculum Committee to agree on the best approach to phase in our courses and to evaluate the results. At University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, I led the effort to implement the Banner Software System, experience that served me well at Clovis as we implemented the system under my leadership.
Working in New Mexico has been a rewarding experience. As a majority-minority state, the state has a diverse population with a rich cultural history. When I arrived at Clovis Community College, our student demographics did not represent the demographics of our population. By working together to secure the proper programs for recruitment and retention, we became a Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution. As Cabinet Secretary, we successfully garnered a 20% increase in higher education funding and created the College Affordability Fund that we later were able to fund with $100 million. This was to help our minority students meet their financial obligations to complete their education.
Additionally, we recognized that the Tribal Colleges were not able to obtain state aid because of the lack of agreement about reporting agreed upon accountability measures for tribal students. I personally worked with the president of each of the tribal colleges to bring consensus to how we could work with those institutions to serve their populations. The result was the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding with the Tribal College that allowed the state to implement accountability measures for those students and to provide access to the College Affordability funds. These presidents are still incredibly loyal to me because of my efforts.
In closing, I would be remiss if I did not address the primary motivation for my desire to return to a college campus—the students. My higher education career began on the student service side of the house, and my commitment to students, as I moved through the ranks, has always been the source of my enthusiasm and passion for learning and the transmittal of learning. For example, there are few things in life that I have found as moving as a graduation ceremony. It is this tradition that serves as a constant reminder to me of why we do what we do—the students who are seeking a quality education and a better life.
I welcome the opportunity to visit with you more in depth about the value I would bring to Hostos Community College as your next president, and to learn about your vision of the future. Sincerely,
BEVERLEE J.MCCLURE,ED.D. RESUME
President and CEO July 2007 – Present
New Mexico Association of Commerce & Industry
Responsibilities: Provide leadership and direction to the statewide chamber of commerce. Raise capital to run the organization through membership dues and other revenue streams. Serve as the Program Manager for the Center for New Mexico Economic Gardening. Facilitate forums with stakeholders to resolve issues impacting business. Speak to business leaders across the state to educate on issues at the state and federal level. Serve as the main lobbyist for statewide business issues.
Key Accomplishments:
Created the New Mexico Center for Economic Opportunity targeting job growth and retention.
Secured private funding for the Economic Gardening pilot program.
Led the effort to create a Jobs Agenda for the state and successfully lobbied for legislation that passed to support the Agenda.
Increased the visibility of the President & CEO in the rural areas through speaking engagements and individual meetings.
Facilitated the New Mexico Employers’ Coalition to work together for better policy.
Enhanced the communication with members and stakeholders through social media and regular updates.
Led the effort to create strategic priorities, a first for the organization.
Enhanced the legislative process through input of stakeholders with measurable results.
Led the effort to create new brand and marketing plan for the Association.
Formalized the New Mexico Chamber Executives Association.
Planned and hosted the first state conference for Chamber Executives and Boards.
Oversaw the effort to revitalize the Association website on two separate occasions.
Cabinet Secretary of Higher Education September 2005 – July 2007 State of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Responsibilities: Reported directly to then Governor Bill Richardson and served on the Governor’s Cabinet. Provided leadership for budget and policy development for higher education and the special schools in the state. Oversaw a $3 billion budget for appropriation statewide. Responsible for oversight of The New Mexico School for the Deaf, School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the New Mexico Military Institute, as well as Adult Basic Education. Responsible for licensing and oversight of for-profit private and proprietary schools.
Key Accomplishments:
Created the Department, including hiring of all personnel, creating the organizational structure, and securing a facility.
Created the Statewide Public Agenda for Higher Education through an inclusive process.
Secured $18 million GEAR Up Grant.
Provided leadership for the Ready for College Study that studied remediation statewide.
Increased higher education appropriations by 20% in the 2006 session.
Secured $100 million for College Affordability, the first ever state need-based aid.
Implemented first-ever Performance Based Funding model.
Completed first-ever study of all Instructional space at campuses for deferred maintenance.
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EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION EXPERIENCE
President February 1999– September 2005
Clovis Community College, Clovis, New Mexico
Responsibilities: Serve as the CEO for all operations of the College. Responsible for recruitment, hiring, and managing staff that provide an affordable, quality education to people in eastern New Mexico. Provide leadership in budgeting, strategic planning, and state and local issues. Provide leadership for economic development efforts.
Key Accomplishments:
Chaired the Base Realignment Regional Hearing Committee—the event hosted 15,000 people and three states.
Led the effort to create the Center for Student Success that received the Quality New Mexico Award.
Positioned the College to be recognized as a Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Led the College to enjoy record enrollment increases by enhanced marketing and recruitment efforts and increased student activities.
Created the Cultural Arts Series to provide musical and theatrical performances that would not otherwise be available to this community.
Successfully lobbied for funding for a new Library/Technology Center, and became the first college in the state of New Mexico to issue System Revenue Bonds.
Increased the private donations received for capital outlay and scholarships, including a $800,000 gift for construction, the largest in the College’s history, and kicked off the first-ever capital campaign.
Received a $3 million center for performing arts in recognition of cultural events at College.
Worked with local economic developers to recruit a Cheese Plant and a Call Center for a total of 400 jobs.
Directed the efforts for the development of the first Five-Year Strategic Plan and the Ten Year Facility Master Plan for the College.
Implemented testing and placement for improved student success.
Created a Developmental Education department and increased the number of the remedial courses, including the use of Plato, to enhance student retention and success.
Guided and facilitated the College in the development of Online Courses (Virtual Campus) and Web Registration.
Implemented the Student Leadership Department to increase the number of student activities on campus and an active student government.
Provost, St. Augustine Campus January 1997 – January 1999
St. Johns River Community College, St. Augustine, Florida
Responsibilities: Served as the CEO of the St. Augustine Campus and represent the college in all matters in St. Johns County. Represented the college during legislative sessions and other state activities. Responsible for selecting and evaluating faculty, campus budget, physical plant, and student services.
Key Accomplishments:
Selected to serve on the Strategic Planning Task Force for the State Board of Community Colleges.
Chosen to lead the effort to create the Mission Statement and Statement of Values for the College.
Implemented the Teaching Excellence Award for faculty and secured travel money to the NISOD conference, the first ever participation by the College.
Successfully secured funds to upgrade the classroom equipment and copying equipment for faculty.
Created and successfully held "The Viking Expedition" summer children's program serving 120 underprivileged children.
Significantly increased the visibility of the campus in both the media and the local community.
Successfully planned and implemented the First Coast Celebration of Women 1998 Conference—the first women's conference in St. Johns County.
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Assistant Vice President for Student Services and August 1991 - August 1996 University Center Operations
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (formerly Westark College), Fort Smith, Arkansas
Responsibilities: Assisted in all aspects of planning and day-to-day operations of student services and the University Center.
Key Accomplishments:
Led the student service area in the implementation of a student and financial aid computer system in eighteen months.
Created the first freshman orientation program and expanded to include 600 incoming freshman.
Received grant from the Kellogg Foundation to instruct and conduct the Leadership Development Course.
Served as interim Registrar and redesigned the registration process.
Provided leadership in planning, researching, and implementing an Enrollment Management Plan.
Established, wrote, and coordinated a national survey of community colleges for comparison of student services.
Developed and coordinated a Student Activities Workshop Series in Leadership Skills.
Designed, coordinated, and implemented a Community Needs Assessment for the University Center.
Designed and implemented customer service training.
Assistant Director, Leadership Fort Smith August 1991 - August 1995 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Responsibilities: Provided guidance in coordinating and planning all monthly training sessions. Key Accomplishments:
Planned and organized the Governor's Leadership Conference, working closely with the state leadership organization and Arkansas' Commission for the Future.
Acted as a liaison to the community by coordinating public relations and appeared on television and radio programs to discuss the Leadership Fort Smith program and encourage participation.
Assisted in the development of the curriculum including each session's goals and objectives. TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith August 1989 - June 1991 Fort Smith, Arkansas
Designed the curriculum for and conducted a special credit program for dislocated workers that was then implemented throughout the state. Courses taught: business math, business English, computers, keyboarding, office skills, bookkeeping.
PRIVATE BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Staff Accountant March 1986 - August 1989
R.J.R. Nabisco Foods, Denison, Texas
Responsibilities: Day-to-day accounting procedures and monthly budgeting. Maintained general ledger for the Denison Margarine Plant. Monthly and year-end closings.
Key accomplishments:
Designed and implemented a PC-based accounting system.
Traveled to other facilities and trained personnel in the use of the new system.
EDUCATION
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Educational Administration The University of Texas at Austin
Dissertation: "A Change Model for Positioning Community Colleges to Implement Systems and Structures for Economic Development Through Workforce Training."
Master of Business Administration August 1991
The University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
Thesis: "Marketing Techniques Used by Colleges to Increase Enrollment."
Bachelor of Business Administration with High Honors August 1986 Texas A & M, Commerce, (formerly East Texas State University)
Honor Thesis: "Fair Housing in America: Justice for All?"
Associate of Science May 1984
Grayson County College
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS,STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS,&COMMUNITY SERVICE
YES! Housing Board 2013 – Present
Chair of the Board
New Mexico Early Childhood Partnership 2013 – Present Chair of the Board
National Small Business Association 2013 – Present Board Member
U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2013 – Present
Committee of 100
New Mexico Amigos 2000 - Present
Albuquerque Country Club Board (Elected) 2009-2012 Secretary; Chair, Long Range Planning Committee
New Mexico Community Capital Board 2007-Present
Treasurer; Chair, Nominating Committee
New Mexico First Board 2007-2009
New Mexico Heart Gallery Foundation Board 2006-2009 Vice President, Founding Member
Base Realignment Commission Regional Hearing
Planning Committee, Chair 2005
The Governor’s Taskforce for Higher Education 2004 Appointed by Governor Bill Richardson
Positions: Co-Chair
New Mexico State Board of Education 2003-2004
Appointed by Governor Bill Richardson Positions: Executive Committee Member; Chair, Accountability Committee
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Legislative Education Subcommittee’s Ad Hoc
Committee to review the Public School Code 2003 Governor Richardson’s Transition Team 2002 Positions: Co-chair, Higher Education Transition Team
Community College Bridges to Opportunity Project 2002-2004 Positions: Strategic Advisory Board
Association of Commerce & Industry of New Mexico
Board of Directors 2001-2005 Positions: Executive Committee; Chair, Education Committee;
Plains Regional Medical Center Board of Directors 2001-2005 Positions: Chair, Administrator Search Committee,
Strategic Planning Committee
New Mexico Association of Community Colleges 1999 – 2005 Positions: Executive Committee, Legislative Chair (1999-2003)
Honorary Commander, 27th Operations Support Squadron 1999 – 2005
Cannon Air Force Base
Committee of 50 (a community liaison program to enhance
community and base relations) 1999 - 2005
Clovis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 1999 – 2005 American Association of Community Colleges 1999 – 2002 Positions: Member, Rural Community College Roundtable
Leadership New Mexico, Class of 2000 1999-2000
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS Named to the “Power Brokers of New Mexico” by New Mexico
Business Weekly 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Recipient: “Woman on the Move” Award by YWCA 2005 Recognized as one of ten Women of Influence by New
Mexico Business Weekly 2005
Governor’s Award for Outstanding New Mexico Women 2001 Anderson School of Business “Up and Comer” award recipient 2000 Recipient: Distinguished Graduate Award, College of Education at
