Dr. Katharine Winograd became the fifth president of Central New Mexico Community College on July 1, when she also became the first woman to hold the post.
Winograd, who succeeds Michael Glennon as president of the state’s second largest postsecondary institution, was previously CNM’s vice president for planning and budget. She has been at CNM for the last 10 years.
“From the beginning, I really did fall in love with this college. Coming here from a four-year institution, I was amazed with the level of commitment, passion and intelligence with which decisions were made, always with the best interests of students and the community in mind,” Winograd said. “It is such a tremendous honor to have been chosen as the leader for an organization that you love and respect so much.
“I aspire to continue advancing the admirable and very important missions of this esteemed community college. I will do my best as a leader to help carry on CNM’s great tradition of providing high quality education to students and making substantial contributions to the well-being of our communities and economy.”
Winograd has already organized various forums, where she is listening intently to issues that are important to community members, business leaders, education partners and CNM students, faculty and staff. The valuable discourse that takes place at the forums will be instrumental in developing CNM’s strategic plan for the future.
“I’m not interested in creating my own vision for CNM,” she said. “I’m interested in all of us creating that vision together.”
That’s the kind of unifying theme that CNM’s Governing Board expected to see in its new president. The Board chose Winograd as its next president by a unanimous 7-0 vote.
“Dr. Winograd’s passion to expand educational opportunities for students, her analytical and communication skills, and her knowledge of community and student needs will serve us well,” said CNM Governing Board chair Richard Barr. “She has been described as a ‘uniter,’ and has previously demonstrated her ability to build consensus toward a common purpose.”
Winograd is also at the forefront of the state’s movement toward a “P-20” educational system, which attempts to better align the entire spectrum of education – from pre-kindergarten to university doctoral studies. Its purpose is to improve student success by breaking down barriers between educational levels and making quality education, regardless of the level, available to all students.
“I want to focus on helping to create a better education system for all students – from pre-K to college graduate students – mindful of the role we play in that,” she said.
The P-20 system, which is endorsed by Governor Bill Richardson, is a progressive educational movement that is gaining traction nationwide.
Winograd serves on the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s “Alignment Taskforce” that is charged with advancing the P-20 mission. She also recently received her doctor of education degree in educational leadership from the University of New Mexico. Her dissertation was titled “Negotiating Borders: Examining Patterns of Collaboration and Conflict in Funding Between High Schools and Higher Education in New Mexico.” Her dissertation earned distinctions and has been nominated for awards.
Prior to joining CNM, Winograd served in various administrative positions for the Kentucky Council on Higher Education, the University of Louisville, Fayette County (Ky.) Public Schools and the University of New Mexico’s College of Education.
Winograd earned her master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Louisville and she earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and therapeutic recreation from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky.
