Our people: Passion for higher education

At the end of this year, Eastern New Mexico University is saying goodbye to their Title IX Coordinator, Linda Neel. Neel has been working for the University in various capacities since 2013. But Neel's passion for higher education dates back much farther than that.

Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Neel moved to the area at the age of 5, when her native New Mexican parents decided to come home and try their hand at farming. Initially, the family went to Muleshoe, TX before settling down a year later in Lovington, NM. Neel attended the schools there, and still considers herself to be a Lovington Wildcat.

After graduating highschool, Neel enrolled at NMSU in Las Cruces. There, she worked in banking to help pay for her degree in Home Economics and Business. She graduated with her bachelors degree, then continued her banking career for just shy of a decade.

When an opportunity presented itself for Neel to work in the business office of New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, she took the chance. After less than two years, she became the college's Financial Aid Director. During the 16 years she worked for NMJC, Neel took advantage of two long distance, higher-education opportunities. The first was her masters degree in Business Administration. She obtained this distinction through ENMU's distance learning program, based in Portales.

Later, while still working for NMJC, Neel was selected to participate in a new program offered by NMSU for community college employees desiring to continue their education. Through this opportunity, Neel pursued her doctorate in Education Administration.

Neel successfully obtained her masters and doctorate degrees all while continuing to work for NMJC. With these accomplishments under her belt, Neel decided to enter the corporate world. Neel worked as a consultant of education administration systems for seven years before returning home to New Mexico and ENMU in 2013.

Beginning in the registrar's office of ENMU's Roswell campus, Neel eventually took on her current position as ENMU's Title IX Coordinator in August of 2021. In her current role, Neel travels weekly from her permanent home in Lovington to the three ENMU campuses in Roswell, Ruidoso, and Portales.

In retirement, Neel looks forward to spending more time with her life-partner of 30 years.

Q: I understand you are the Title IX Coordinator for ENMU, can you tell us about what that job entails?

A: The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for the administration of policy for training and for review of any type of report that may come to our office regarding discrimination on the basis of sex.

Title IX is a federal regulation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any Kindergarten through 12, or higher education institution that receives federal funding. Some things that fall under that umbrella include: sexual harassment assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Those are the main reports and incidents that our office reviews.

Q: What's been the most rewarding part of your career up to this point?

A: I think as far as my career goes, it would be attaining my terminal doctorate degree and knowing that I had opportunities presented at just the right time in my life. And having the opportunity to work in higher education at an administrative level, and to be able to actually utilize things that I learned in all of my education. It has also been rewarding to know that I was able to serve students and help them be successful.

Q: What is it like living in three different places every week?

A: When I was a consultant in corporate America I was used to traveling, because that was required and a lot of my clients were on the East coast. So I spent quite a bit of time going back and forth, and on airplanes. So actually, getting to work back in New Mexico was really a treat because I was able to be a lot closer to my permanent home.

Q: What do you love most about Portales?

A: I enjoy seeking out the history of the area. I've done quite a bit of exploring of things that I can identify with my mom's life and her family history. I think that's been exciting to be able to have that connection to the Portales area. Back when my mom was growing up in Portales, my great-uncle served as part of the Sheriff's department. Those are some of the reasons that I'm attracted to the Portales area, and I have enjoyed learning more about Portales.

I could also say I enjoy the fact they have a Walmart. For being a college town, as well as a farming and ranching community, Portales is an interesting city.

Q: What is your favorite thing about this time of year? Do you have any special family traditions?

A: I love holiday time, and especially Christmas. It's probably one of the most enchanting times of the year. Growing up we would always pile into the car and drive around and look at all the Christmas lights. My Dad would let us order pizza on Christmas Eve, so that we could open our gifts and Mom wouldn't have to cook that day. There were a lot of traditions growing up. I think as you grow older those traditions change but you still have those memories at Christmastime – I think that's one of the greatest things about Christmas.

Q: If you could have one New Year's wish come true, what would it be?

A: To be happy and healthy in retirement. Moving onto the next chapter, you just hope that life remains happy and healthy and prosperous.

Q: As you end your time at ENMU, is there any parting advice that you wish each ENMU student (or students in general) knew?

A: I have a friend on Facebook who was recently stressing over her finals as she was thinking about Christmas, and my comment to her was to hang in there, and that the sacrifices she's making now to get an education will certainly be worth it throughout a lifetime. I just really encourage every student to hang in there and get an education.

Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?

A: Entering into retirement knowing that I had a successful career and that I have a loving family, and that I've been able to help people along the way.