The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents announced today that ENMU System Chancellor Dr. Jeff Elwell is resigning, effective April 24, 2020.

Elwell informed the ENMU Board of Regents of his decision at the April 17 Board of Regents meeting in Portales. He has served as ENMU-Portales president since July 2017, and ENMU System chancellor since April 2018.

"We are grateful for Dr. Elwell's service to ENMU for the past three years," Board of Regent President Terry Othick said. "We wish him the best and look forward to continuing the work that he started."

ENMU Vice President for Planning, Analysis and Governmental Relations Dr. Patrice Caldwell has been named interim chancellor.

"We are pleased that Dr. Caldwell is both willing and well prepared to lead ENMU," Othick said. "Her close to 40 years of experience with our University will help to ensure stable, consistent leadership for the ENMU System during this time of transition."

Caldwell has been part of ENMU's family since 1980, serving as a faculty member, department chair, dean, executive director and most recently, vice president.