Barbara Damron, a professor and Ridenour/Mason Fellow at the University of New Mexico, has been elected as chair of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). The WICHE Commission is made up of 48 commissioners appointed by governors from 15 Western states and U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. These commissioners include higher education leaders such as state higher education executive officers, college and university presidents, legislators, business and community leaders.
Damron expressed her hopes for her new role: “As the WICHE chair, I hope to demonstrate to others the positive impact that nurses and other healthcare professionals can and do have on the world.” She sees this position as an opportunity to expand educational opportunities and promote innovation across higher education and workforce development.
Previously serving as vice chair, Damron has been a commissioner since 2015. Antwan Jefferson, who was the WICHE Commission chair for 2024, now serves as immediate past chair. Utah State Senator Ann Millner was selected as vice chair.
WICHE President Demarée Michelau praised Damron's background: “I am grateful to Immediate Past Chair Jefferson for his commitment...and I congratulate Chair Damron on becoming the 2025 chair.” Michelau noted that Damron’s experience in nursing, previous roles in higher education leadership, will be instrumental in leading the commission.
Damron’s career spans over 40 years with significant contributions in New Mexico. Her roles have included being a leader in education, healthcare executive, advanced practice nurse, college professor, international consultant, and cancer scientist. She has held various positions at the University of New Mexico including tenured professor roles at both the College of Nursing and School of Medicine’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Her previous positions also include serving as New Mexico’s cabinet secretary of higher education. On a national level, she has been involved with several fellowships including those with the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).
Damron holds degrees from Union College in Nebraska (BSc in Nursing), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (MSc in Nursing), and University of Texas at Austin (Doctorate in Educational Psychology).