New Mexico Tech announces new president

Dec. 22—The New Mexico Institute for Mining and Technology board of regents selected Mahyar Amouzegar, head of student affairs and a distinguished professor of logistics at the University of New Orleans, to be the school's 18th president.

Amouzegar's five-year term will begin April 15.

The previous president of New Mexico Tech, Stephen G. Wells, tendered his resignation to the board in May, citing health issues.

Interim President Daniel López, a former New Mexico Tech president who has been heading the institution since Wells' resignation, will continue in the position until Amouzegar's start date and assist in the transition.

Amouzegar, a former dean of engineering at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, has been hired at an annual salary of $425,000, more than $85,000 higher than Wells' most recent salary, according to the former president's contract.

In addition to his experience leading university academic and administrative matters, Amouzegar also has served as a senior national security policy analyst for RAND Corp. since 1998, when he oversaw teams developing research ideas for the U.S. Air Force and national security policy reports.

"I am thrilled and deeply honored to be entrusted with leading New Mexico Tech into its next chapter," Amouzegar said in a news release announcing his appointment.

He added the school "stands proudly at the forefront of innovation, a campus where brilliance converges with limitless possibilities."