Amouzegar’s last day as president, will stay at NMT

In an email sent out to the New Mexico Tech (NMT) Community Dr. Mahyar Amouzegar NMT’s President and David Lepre NMT Board of Regents announced Friday July 25 as Amouzegar’s last day to serve as the president but will continue to work at NMT in a new role.

In the email sent at 5:28 p.m. on Thursday July 24, Amouzegar wrote the decision was made after thoughtful conversations between Lepre and himself.

“Although we had hoped to share this announcement sooner, the necessary administrative steps took longer than expected. David and I appreciate your patience as we finalized the details to ensure a smooth and respectful transition,” Amouzegar wrote.

He said the original plan was for a longer transition, but they collectively decided that an accelerated timeline was in the best interest of the institution. In his column (see page four), Amouzegar said that although he’s stepping down from the presidency, he will remain at NMT as a faculty member in the Departments of Management and Mathematics.

Amouzegar confirmed in the email that the NMT board of regents appointed Dr. Michael Jackson as Acting President, effective July 26.

“I could not be prouder to see him at the helm during this critical time. David and I have every confidence in his ability to guide the university forward with integrity and purpose,” Amouzegar wrote “I want to express my appreciation to Chair Lepre and the Board for their partnership during this transition, and to all of you for your continued commitment to the mission of New Mexico Tech. This university is filled with remarkable people doing extraordinary work, and it has been an honor to serve as your president.”

After 14 months on the job Amouzegar abruptly resigned on Monday June 30, less than two weeks after regents restricted his hiring authority and asked him to reverse a vice presidential appointment that had already brought the new hire and his family to the area.

In December 2023, New Mexico Tech regents announced Amouzegar as the university’s 18th president. He was appointed to a five-year term with an annual salary of $425,000. He began his tenure on April 15, 2024.