LAS VEGAS, N.M. — The governor of New Mexico has recently put forward her brother’s name for a position on the board of regents at New Mexico Highlands University, amidst ongoing concerns regarding financial mismanagement and favoritism in the state’s university system.

Greg Lujan, who is 64 years old and the sibling of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, has been appointed as the student regent for the five-member board at the Highlands University located in Las Vegas, New Mexico. This appointment is pending confirmation from the state Senate, as confirmed by the governor’s office on Tuesday.

Jodi McGinnis Porter, a representative for the governor, stated that Lujan was selected from a number of student applicants. Lujan is a mortgage loan officer who returned to higher education last year to pursue a degree in business and applied sciences. With the help of a state scholarship, he has made the dean’s list due to his strong academic performance, according to McGinnis Porter.

Republican state Senator James Townsend from Artesia expressed his skepticism regarding this appointment, noting that selecting a family member for such a position might raise doubts during the confirmation process. “I just think she’s put her brother in a really unfortunate circumstance,” Townsend remarked.

This appointment comes at a time when state prosecutors are working to challenge a substantial severance package awarded to Joseph Shepard, the former president of Western New Mexico University, based in Silver City. The severance package involved nearly $2 million and was passed after a damning report highlighted instances of extravagant spending and inadequate financial oversight at the institution.

The ongoing scandal at Western New Mexico University has led to legislative discussions this year aimed at enhancing the oversight responsibilities for regents who are involved in reviewing and approving university budgets, including student tuition rates and contracts for top administrative roles.

In 2023, state lawmakers began scrutinizing expenses related to international trips and luxurious furniture purchased by Shepard, in addition to examining the use of a university purchasing card by his spouse, Valerie Plame. Shepard stated that his spending requests had been reviewed by the regents and claimed familiarity with guidelines concerning public funds.

However, the state auditor’s office uncovered over $363,000 attributable to wasteful expenditures and improper utilization of public resources. Attorney General Raúl Torrez has indicated various allegations, including violations of fiduciary responsibilities and breaches of the state’s open meetings law and constitution. Furthermore, he scrutinized the rapid issuance of a check to Shepard, while noting that a handful of regents had already resigned under pressure from the governor.

William García, who is stepping down as the chairman of the board at Highlands University, mentioned that the student regent has full voting rights on the board. With a student body of about 3,000, which includes a significant number of future educators and social workers, García emphasized the importance of the student regent’s vote, stating, “They’re called ‘student regent,’ but their vote is of equal value and eagerly sought.”