Meet The Team
More than a team, we’re a collaborative force committed to innovation, access, and student-centered growth. Every role plays a part in shaping seamless online experiences for learners and scalable solutions for our partner institutions.
Andrew Sedillo's Bio
Andrew Sedillo is the Executive Director of Statewide Initiatives for the New Mexico Online Hub, where he leads strategic initiatives that strengthen online higher education through cross-institutional collaboration, workforce alignment, and innovative shared services. He works closely with higher education leaders, industry partners, and technology providers to develop scalable solutions that improve student access, enrollment, academic quality, and career outcomes across New Mexico.
With more than 15 years of leadership experience, Andrew has successfully led large-scale education initiatives, organizational change management, and professional development efforts across K–12 education, corporate learning and training, human resources, higher education, and statewide and national initiatives. His expertise spans strategic planning, digital transformation, instructional design, enrollment strategy, academic technology, and organizational development.
Andrew is recognized for his innovative leadership and passion for emerging technologies. He actively leads and collaborates on projects exploring the application of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), learning analytics, and other advanced technologies to transform education, enhance the student experience, improve institutional operations, and better prepare learners for the future workforce.
Andrew Sedillo
Statewide Executive Director, NM Online Hub
More about the role...
Provides overall strategic leadership for the New Mexico Online Hub, overseeing statewide partnerships, institutional collaboration, growth strategy, operations, innovation initiatives, and long-term sustainability. Leads alignment between institutions, workforce needs, and Hub services while advancing statewide online education strategy.
Dr. Beth Apodaca's Bio
Beth Apodaca, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Director of Academic Strategy and Quality for the New Mexico Online Hub. With an extensive background in instructional design and program outcomes assessment, Dr. Apodaca specializes in the strategic application of learning science to enhance digital education and institutional quality. She is deeply dedicated to serving the modern learner by leveraging evidence-based pedagogical strategies, learning analytics, and inclusive design. Her leadership focuses on bridging pedagogical theory with innovative digital practices. Dr. Apodaca is dedicated to advancing academic excellence through evidence-based instructional strategies and the collaborative implementation of educational technologies that drive student success.
Dr. Beth Apodaca
Head of Academic Quality & Program Innovation
More about the role...
Leads online academic quality strategy, program development, instructional design standards, course review processes, and continuous improvement initiatives. Supports institutions in building scalable, high-quality online programs aligned with student success and workforce outcomes.
Zelma Soto-Rodriguez's Bio
Zelma is a Lead Instructional Designer at the NM Online Hub, where she supports faculty in developing engaging, inclusive, and well-aligned online courses. Her instructional design experience began in 2010 in Puerto Rico, her home country, where she created college-level Spanish curricula. In 2017, Zelma moved to Colorado and continued teaching Spanish in higher education before recently relocating to Florida’s Space Coast to be closer to home and enjoy a warmer climate. She holds an MA in Learning Design and Technology from the University of Colorado Denver, and her work is shaped by a strong interest in multimedia learning, storytelling, and inclusive design. Outside of work, Zelma enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time in nature.
Zelma Soto-Rodriguez
Lead, Instructional Design & Course Development
More about the role...
Supports faculty and institutions in designing engaging, accessible, and high-quality online courses. Leads course development workflows, quality assurance, accessibility alignment, and learning experience design initiatives.
Dr. Debbie Giron's Bio
Dr. Debbie Giron brings a wealth of institutional experience to her work, including 12 years in higher education and a year in the non-profit sector. Deeply rooted in the university community, Debbie holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration. She is incredibly passionate about higher education and is dedicated to advocating for first-generation students.
Dr. Debbie Giron
Lead, Transfer Pathways & Statewide Academic Alignment
More about the role...
Focuses on strategic oversight for university transfer and articulation tools (TES/Transferology) to resolve credit barriers for students. Supports state initiatives to expand online General Education access, collaborating on local programs, and leading internal operational transition plans.
Robbie Grant's Bio
Robbie Grant has been in the EdTech field for 22 years, focusing primarily on implementation, end-user professional development, and customer support. He has been an LMS administrator for 20 years, working with systems such as WebCT, Blackboard, and Canvas. Robbie is known for his customer service-centered approach and innovative thought when it comes to the adoption of educational technologies.
Robbie Grant
Head of Academic Technology & Digital Learning
More about the role...
Leads the Hub’s academic technology strategy, digital learning infrastructure, LMS optimization, system integrations, and emerging technology initiatives. Oversees implementation of tools that support online learning, student engagement, analytics, and operational efficiency.
Dr. Cody Singer's Bio
Cody Singer is an experienced higher education leader specializing in enrollment management, online program growth, and student success. As the leader of Enrollment Services for the NM Online HUB, he oversees a comprehensive, student-centered approach to recruitment, admissions, advising, and retention, with a focus on expanding access and supporting adult and non-traditional learners. His work is centered on building scalable systems, leveraging data-driven strategies, and strengthening pathways that connect education to workforce outcomes.
Dr. Cody Singer
Head of Enrollment & Student Success
More about the role...
Leads enrollment growth strategy, student engagement initiatives, retention efforts, CRM operations, and student support systems. Oversees inquiry management, enrollment workflows, communication strategies, and student persistence initiatives.
Erika De La O's Bio
Erika is a border policy advisor with more than two decades of experience in economic development, infrastructure, immigration, and international relations along the U.S.–Mexico border. She focuses on building national and binational partnerships, advancing global academic initiatives, and supporting strategic planning for the NM online HUB.
Erika De La O
Lead, Employer Partnerships
More about the role...
Builds and manages relationships with employers, workforce organizations, and community partners. Supports workforce alignment initiatives, talent pipeline development, internship opportunities, and business-to-business partnerships.
Sam Yrigoyen's Bio
Sam is a Systems Administrator and enrollment operations professional with 14 years of experience in higher education, including 7 years specializing in Slate CRM strategy and process optimization. Her experience includes both hands-on Slate CRM development and strategic consulting focused on enrollment funnel optimization, workflow automation, student engagement, and data-driven operational improvements. She specializes in building scalable CRM processes and developing solutions that enhance both operational efficiency and the student experience.
Sam Yrigoyen
Lead, CRM & Enrollment Systems
More about the role...
Manages CRM systems, enrollment automation, inquiry workflows, lead tracking, and communication systems. Supports data integrity, enrollment operations, and coordinated outreach strategies.
Jennifer Shafer's Bio
Jennifer’s work experience includes everything from teaching elementary school to Extension education. Her higher education experience includes student services and mentoring.
Jennifer Shafer
One Stop Counselor
More about the role...
Supports prospective students from inquiry through first-semester enrollment, including outreach, application assistance, admissions guidance, financial aid referrals, and general support.
David Parra's Bio
David Parra brings nearly ten years of experience in higher education, with a background in undergraduate admissions, academic advising, enrollment management, and operational leadership. Throughout his career, he’s enjoyed finding ways to improve processes, build strong partnerships, and create a better experience for both students and staff. David is passionate about collaboration, continuous improvement, and developing scalable solutions that help teams work more efficiently while keeping student success at the center of everything the NM Online Hub does.
David Parra
One Stop Counselor
More about the role...
Provides centralized student support services related to admissions, enrollment, financial aid, registration, and student success resources.
Alyssa Lockman's Bio
Alyssa Lockman is a strategic marketing leader specializing in higher education enrollment growth, brand positioning, and full-funnel demand generation. As Director of Marketing for the New Mexico Online Hub, she leads a team that integrates omnichannel strategies that drive application growth, improve conversion rates, and maximize marketing ROI. With over a decade of experience across higher education and hospitality, Alyssa brings a people-first approach to storytelling, collaboration, and team building. She is passionate about connecting students to opportunity through thoughtful, data-informed marketing.
Alyssa Lockman
Head of Marketing & Growth
More about the role...
Leads statewide marketing strategy, institutional growth initiatives, brand development, digital acquisition, and campaign performance. Oversees integrated marketing efforts that support enrollment growth and institutional visibility.
Karla Walton's Bio
Karla is a creative and data-driven marketing leader with 10+ years of experience developing high-impact digital campaigns that drive audience growth and student enrollment. She is an expert in crafting multi-channel marketing strategies across social, web, video, and paid media, combining storytelling with performance analytics to optimize results, and is currently advancing AI-driven marketing workflows to create scalable, high-performing campaigns designed for both human engagement and machine optimization. Karla is bilingual in English and Spanish with a strong focus on inclusive, audience-centered marketing.
Karla Walton
Lead, Creative Marketing Strategy & Brand
More about the role...
Develops brand positioning, messaging frameworks, audience strategy, and integrated marketing campaigns that strengthen institutional visibility and engagement.
Karen Cooper's Bio
Karen Cooper is a marketing and communications professional with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations build visibility, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and drive growth. Her background spans higher education, technology, healthcare, and life sciences, where she has led strategic marketing initiatives, product launches, content development, and partnership programs.
Karen Cooper
Lead, Marketing Specialist
More about the role...
Supports the NM Online Hub on strategic marketing and communications initiatives that advance the mission, partnerships, and visibility of the NM Online Hub and its partner institutions. Provides day-to-day marketing support across a variety of projects, including B2B and partnership marketing, public relations and storytelling efforts, campaign coordination, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.
Austin Frame's Bio
Austin has been a multi-industry graphic designer since 2016. Wether it’s full-time or freelance, Austin has helped shaped the visual language for household names in entertainment, major hospitality corporations, multi-media celebrities, and local artisans alike. Since moving into the realm of higher education, he has put a focus on delivering eye-catching and memorable creative for the NM Online Hub and its various clients.
Austin Frame
Lead, Creative Design
More about the role...
Leads visual design and creative asset development across digital campaigns, websites, social media, and institutional marketing materials.
Matell Castro's Bio
Matell is a marketing and communications strategist with a focus on campaign strategy, market research, and audience engagement. She has experience working on global campaigns across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In her current role at the NM Online Hub, Matell supports paid media, research, and digital strategy efforts to help grow online programs.
Matell Castro
Lead, Paid Media & Digital Acquisition
More about the role...
Oversees digital advertising strategy, campaign optimization, audience targeting, and lead generation efforts across paid media channels.
Genci Paraniku's Bio
Genci Papraniku has been writing professionally since 2021. After writing his first short story for a local college magazine, he began tutoring other students at the University of Memphis. Once he graduated in 2017, Genci joined the Peace Corps and taught English in Kosovo for two years. Upon returning home, he began working remotely as a writer and editor for several online publications, covering everything from combat sports and culinary news to general pop culture buzz and travel insights. A firm believer in online learning, Genci is currently working on completing his MFA degree in Creative Writing remotely.
Genci Paraniku
Lead, Copywriter
More about the role...
Develops marketing copy, web content, campaign messaging, email communications, and storytelling content aligned with Hub initiatives and institutional goals.
Brandon Baldwin's Bio
Brandon Baldwin is a Web Developer for the NM Online Hub with eight years of web and graphic design-related experience. Located locally in Las Cruces, Brandon enjoys creating digital 3D art outside of work hours and dabbling in game development-related projects using Unreal Engine.
Brandon Baldwin
Lead, Web & Digital Experience
More about the role...
Manages website development, landing pages, digital user experience, accessibility, and online engagement strategy across Hub platforms.
Yolanda Hernandez's Bio
Yolanda Hernandez is an operations leader with 20+ years in higher education, specializing in project management, administrative operations, budget and finance, and human resources oversight. She has a proven track record of scaling organizations, leading process improvement initiatives, and managing complex budgets in high-growth environments. Yolanda is a key contributor to the development of a statewide online education hub, with experience in both project execution and business model development, and has been recognized for building operational infrastructure that supports sustainable growth and cross-institutional collaboration.
Yolanda Hernandez
Head of Operations & Shared Services
More about the role...
Oversees operational systems, shared services infrastructure, internal processes, budgeting coordination, vendor management, and organizational operations across the Hub.
Gena Barela's Bio
Gena Barela is a Project Manager for the NM Online Hub, where she leads and coordinates complex, statewide initiatives supporting online education programs and services. With deep experience in cross-organizational project management, stakeholder alignment, and process improvement, she helps design and manage systems that are clear, consistent, and scalable. Her work focuses on translating strategic objectives into sustainable operations while ensuring contributor needs are effectively integrated into the Hub.
Gena Barela
Lead, Project Management Office
More about the role...
Leads project planning, implementation tracking, workflow coordination, timelines, and cross-team project execution to ensure operational alignment and accountability.
Tara Gray's Bio
Tara Gray, Ph.D., leads the Online Teaching Hub where she coordinates programming for Hub faculty about teaching and learning online and about teaching with AI. She also chairs the Teaching Hub advisory board composed of a campus lead from each member institution.
Tara’s tenure home is the Department of Criminal Justice, where she served for ten years after teaching economics for ten years. Tara studies directing effective teaching centers and leading collaborative faculty development programs. She has won ten awards for teaching, scholarship, and service, both locally and nationally. Tara has presented workshops to more than 10,000 educators in 140 institutions, 37 states, and in Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, Thailand, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Tara Gray
Head of Faculty Development
More about the role...
Leads statewide faculty development strategy focused on online teaching quality, instructional excellence, professional learning, and faculty support initiatives.
Oana Cimpean's Bio
Oana Cimpean Oana earned a doctorate in French Studies from Louisiana State University. Her dissertation analyzed the conflict between literature and political commitments. She taught French for many years both at LSU and at the University of Arkansas, where she also coordinated the introductory and intermediate French program. She worked in faculty development at the University of South Florida for six years. There she designed and facilitated training programs for faculty and teaching assistants on topics including the science of learning, leadership skills, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and experiential learning.
Oana likes to cook, make jewelry, visit art museums, and hear her son and husband talk about whales or mythical creatures in the background.
Oana Cimpean
Lead, Faculty Development
More about the role...
Serves as lead presenter for the Teaching Hub, creating asynchronous training, presenting synchronous workshops, and leading book groups on teaching, especially online teaching. Consults with individual faculty and serves on the Committee of Campus chairs.
Theresa Healy's Bio
Theresa Healy, Ph.D., serves as a faculty development specialist at the NM Online Teaching Hub where she sets the calendar of events and corresponds with presenters; she also coordinates intensive programs such as team mentoring for faculty, advancing leaders, and preparing future faculty. Theresa has a husband, two daughters, and a Jack Russell terrier named Sam.
Theresa Healy
Faculty Development Specialist
More about the role...
Manages the full calendar of events, coordinating with Hub presenters to confirm topics, fees, titles, abstracts, biographies, dates, and times. Produces marketing flyers to promote upcoming events.
Kelly Ahrendes's Bio
Kelly Ahrendes earned a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management in 2004. He has worked in resorts all over the country in many different roles, but most recently spent six years working locally in New Mexico. He brings customer service and planning expertise to his role with the Teaching Hub, ensuring smooth events for all, whether online or in person. When not working, Kelly loves spending time at home with his wife, son, and animals.
Kelly Ahrendes
Faculty Development Support Specialist
More about the role...
Configures and oversees many events in person and online. Manages marketing, reminders, and registrations; manages Zoom events; tracks event participation; distributes recordings and evaluations; and drafts thank-yous for each presenter. Responsible for ensuring timely payments to speakers.
Behind the NM Online Hub...
Is a team of passionate people dedicated to expanding access to high-quality online education across the state and beyond. We bring together expertise from across higher education in marketing, enrollment, academic technology, instructional design, and operations, to build the structure, strategy, and support systems that help students succeed in an online environment.