News
Luna Community College Board of Trustees Extends President Linder’s Contract
New Release
Las Vegas, NM — Luna Community College announces that the LCC Board of Trustees voted during a Special Meeting on April 2, 2026, to extend Dr. Carol Linder’s contract through April 25, 2027.
Dr. Linder was first appointed as Interim President in June 2024 and was officially named President on January 14, 2025. President Linder was raised in Española, New Mexico. She has received degrees from the University of New Mexico, the University of Texas at Austin, and an MBA from New Mexico Highlands University. She has worked in higher education since 2004 and joined Luna in October 2021. Her multidisciplinary background supports a leadership style grounded in both academic excellence and operational strategy.
The Board’s decision to extend her contract follows a Board review process that included a formal presentation delivered by President Linder during a Special Meeting on March 17, 2026.
During the presentation, President Linder outlined accomplishments, key initiatives, and ongoing progress made during her tenure. Successes include Luna’s removal of monitoring status, announced last month, following the Higher Learning Commission Focused Visit in November 2025. The action affirms that the college, while in good standing, has addressed prior concerns related to assessment, planning, and financial oversight.
President Linder addressed the college’s ongoing work to resolve audit delays that existed prior to her appointment. Under her leadership, Luna has completed two prior-year audits and is advancing ongoing audit reviews to get the institution in full compliance. She emphasized the work that went into strengthening financial processes, increased accountability measures, and a commitment to timely audit completion as part of restoring institutional stability and public trust.
Linder also provided a progress update on her administration’s on-campus student housing initiative. Following an application and a formal hearing with the New Mexico State Board of Finance, Luna received approval for an Emergency Operating Fund request in the amount of $2,787,914 in January 2026.
She also enthusiastically shared work done and successes in the continued expansion of workforce and career and technical education programs aligned with regional needs.
Los Alamos National Laboratory has supported Luna’s welding program through its Plutonium Workforce Development Initiative, funding training and hiring Luna graduates who have earned American Welding Society certifications.
The Wildfire Resiliency Training Program (WRTC), established with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Economic Development Administration, partners with the New Mexico Forestry Division, New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute, and the Forest Stewards Guild. The program is now certified to deliver all National Wildfire Coordinating Group courses and curricula.
As a member of the Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services, Luna is implementing a new Workday Student Information System, with initial milestones beginning in 2026 and full implementation scheduled for September 2027. The purpose of being a part of this initiative is to enhance student services and the administration of financial aid, and to streamline processes in other administrative areas.
Additional updates highlighted focused investments to fill critical leadership and staff positions, expanded partnerships with local school districts, state agencies, and industry leaders, as well as increased engagement in legislative and policy initiatives supporting higher education funding. These efforts are reinforced by targeted partnerships that are producing measurable workforce outcomes.
Other student success highlights presented include:
- Enrollment growth of 3% in Fall 2025 and 8% in Spring 2026 over the prior year;
- A 45% increase in award completion over the past five years; and
- Expansion of dual credit partnerships, reaching over 250 high school students annually.
“I appreciate the support of Chair Dr. Martinez and the entire governing board. Luna is deeply important to me—not just as an institution, but as part of the community that helped shape who I am,” said President Linder. “Over the past 20 months, we have made meaningful progress, and I am proud of the work happening across our campus every day. Our focus remains on our students and the communities we serve. There is still more to do, and I remain committed to building a strong and sustainable future for Luna.”
Luna remains dedicated to transparency and community engagement. Board of Trustees meetings and recordings are available at luna.edu under the ‘About’ section.