When it comes to public trust and accountability, few issues spark as much controversy as misuse of funds in educational institutions. And this is precisely where the story at Western New Mexico University becomes highly relevant — not just because of the scandal itself, but because of what it reveals about oversight and governance in higher education.
Recently, the university’s board of regents was presented with the findings from a targeted audit into questionable financial activities that took place on campus. This investigation uncovered troubling patterns of spending that raised eyebrows across the state.
The controversy gained momentum last year when reports surfaced about significant expenditures made by the former university president, Joseph Shepard, totaling approximately $316,000. These expenses appeared to lack proper oversight, prompting widespread concern. The fallout was swift: Shepard stepped down, and the board agreed to a hefty $2 million buyout of his contract, along with securing him a lucrative teaching position elsewhere.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting — in response to mounting pressure and the scandal’s fallout, the board of regents resigned under the governor’s recommendation. A new board was appointed, and Shepard’s teaching arrangement was revoked. Meanwhile, the auditors who led the investigation laid out their findings, emphasizing that although there was no outright misconduct, the situation exposed significant weaknesses in internal controls and governance.
According to New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas, these issues underscored the urgent need for stronger oversight mechanisms. The audit highlighted the importance of establishing clearer policies for expenditure approvals and suggested that the university create avenues for reporting concerns anonymously — such as a whistleblower hotline. They also recommended forming an audit committee and hiring an internal auditor to prevent future missteps.
The regents responded by adopting the report and implementing some of these recommendations immediately. WNMU’s Chair of the Board, Steve Nevile, expressed a commitment to updating policies and procedures to ensure better financial oversight.
Interestingly, the fallout extended beyond the university itself, prompting legislative action. Earlier this year, New Mexico lawmakers passed new training requirements for university regents, mandating the Department of Education to provide at least 10 hours of instruction on financial management and budgeting for new members. The goal? To foster more informed and accountable governance.
This case raises a provocative question: Are these reforms enough to prevent future scandals, or are deeper systemic changes needed? What do you think about the measures introduced — will they truly make a difference, or are we just scratching the surface? Share your thoughts below, and let’s start a conversation about transparency and accountability in education.
