Dr. Patricia A. Sullivan

Independent Board Member

Dr. Patricia A. Sullivan is a distinguished leader in higher education, as well as economic and workforce development. She currently serves as Associate Dean in the New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Engineering, with a joint appointment as Director for Workforce and Strategic Engagement in the Office of Research, Creativity, and Economic Development.

Renowned for building impactful public-private partnerships, Dr. Sullivan has successfully expanded access to NMSU-based services for communities and businesses across New Mexico. Her initiatives focus on energy efficiency, advanced energy integration, alternative water use and reuse, and STEM outreach and education. Through her efforts, she has secured funding from the EPA, USDA, and EDA to provide resources that promote energy efficiency and sustainability for businesses in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. Additionally, she spearheaded the establishment of a multi-state technical assistance center, housed at NMSU, to advance environmental and energy justice under the EPA’s Thriving Communities program covering EPA Region 6.

Dr. Sullivan serves as an appointed member of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, where she helps shape policies that improve education access and workforce readiness across 16 member states, U.S. Pacific Territories, and Freely Associated States. She also serves on the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, contributing to innovation and economic growth statewide. Previously, she served two terms as an appointed member of the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, demonstrating her dedication to increasing access to affordable housing and weatherization services statewide.

Her leadership and contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference (HENAAC) Community Service-Academia Award from Great Minds in STEM, the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award, being named a Woman of Influence by Albuquerque Business First, and Energy Executive of the Year by the New Mexico Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers.

Dr. Sullivan holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, a master’s degree in Economics with a concentration in Public Utility Policy and Regulation, and a bachelor’s degree in Biology, all from New Mexico State University.