Trustee
Interim President of the NMSU System

The 10th president of the New Mexico State University System’s Dona Ana Community College (DACC). Dr. Torres earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English from New Mexico State University before attaining her Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. Monica has worked in higher education for nearly 40 years. She began her career in 1982 as a composition instructor. Since then, she has been a faculty member and academic administrator at four universities and three community colleges in New Mexico, Minnesota, and Illinois. Torres has long been a student of race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic dynamics in the United States. For more than two decades, she has been a conference presenter, panel discussant, seminar and workshop facilitator, and mentor for programs addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in higher education. Torres has engaged in community service throughout her career. That work has included serving on the founding boards of the Mesilla Valley Film Society, La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services, and Ngage New Mexico. Torres currently serves on the boards of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, and the Bridge of Southern New Mexico.