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About the 2022 CAT

As a follow-up to the Climate Survey and aligned with LEADS 2025 Goal 4: Build a Robust University System, we appointed a Climate Study Action Team (CSAT) during 2020 to begin addressing the issues of greatest concern and in 2021, the CSAT was continued under the new title of Climate Action Team (CAT). Both teams did a fantastic job.


For 2022, the Climate Action Team will involve your creative and enthusiastic participation. We want to continue the work of the CSAT and 2021 CAT to strengthen the areas in the university system that are functioning well and address those in need of improvement. These are key elements to achieving NMSU LEADS 2025 goals and enhancing the university system’s overall climate.

Reports

2022 CAT Executive Report

2022 CAT Final Presentation

2022 CAT Charge

The NMSU administration is committed to acting on the findings from the external and internal surveys and the work from the previous committees and using them to improve how we work together. This team is charged with the following:
  1. Identify NMSU systemwide activities to address the most pressing climate issues.
  2. Align work with LEADS 2025, with focus on all four goals, and especially on Goal 2: Elevate Research and Creativity, with assistance from Luis Cifuentes, Vice President for Research.
  3. Administer the Research and Creative Activities Climate survey.
  4. Further explore the action items presented by the CSAT and 2021 CAT Sub-Committees.
  5. Develop a plan to build on our community and business partnerships, and to enhance the benefit package provided to our employees.
  6. Continue to work on ideas to improve internal communications, with support from Marketing & Communications, and with special focus on enhancing United.Unidos, a website developed by CSAT to motivate, celebrate, and educate the campus community.
  7. Discuss and create opportunities to build trust within NMSU across all levels, including between leaders and employees and among people from different units and colleges.
  8. Establish a sustainable approach for the CAT to effectively identify and implement initiatives to foster a positive work environment.
  9. Track improvement.
  10. Be a positive force for this work and have fun!

2022 CAT Members

Name Title, Department
Dr. Gena Jones (co-chair) Assistant Vice President, Human Resource Services
Julia Parra (co-chair) Chair, NMSU Faculty Senate
Dr. Cynthia Wise  Research Assistant, Borderland & Ethnic Equity
Dr. David Loconto  Professor, Sociology
David Rutledge  Assc Prof, Curriculum and Instruction
Diana Toups Dugas Director,Enterprise IT
Information & Communication Tech
Tiffany Acosta Public Information Officer, Marketing & Communications 
Margie Vela   Sr. Program Manager, Biology
Joseph Almaguer  HR Operations Unit Coord, Athletics
Eric Frantz NMDA, Asst Division Dir
Dr. R. T. James McAteer Academic Dept Head, Astronomy
Jagdish Khubchandani Professor of Public Health
Debbie Giron  Assc Registrar, Client Support Services
Dr. Hiranya Roychowdhury DACC Professor of Biology
Rajeev Nirmalakhandan Instructor, Creative Media Department 
Katherine Terpis Associate Dean, Library
Donna Johnson  HR Operations Manager
Paulo Oemig  Director, NM Space Grant Consortium & NASA EPSCoR
Ashlerose Francia Office of Institutional Equity
Maura Gonsior Director, Employee & Labor Relations
Ermelinda Quintela Sr. Admin, Strategic System Services
Dr. Judith Flores Carmona Interim Director, Chicano Programs