Las Cruces, NM (August 26, 2015) €”The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM) has named Jennifer Cervantes as the new Executive Director/Vice President of Philanthropic Services. She will start in her new position September 1.

A two-time graduate of NMSU with a BA in Communication Studies and an MA in Rhetoric and Professional Communication, Cervantes has served as the Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement at NMSU €™s College of Health and Social Services for four years.

During her tenure in the College of Health and Social Services Cervantes worked on donor development, strategic planning, alumni outreach and community engagement.
Previously, she was an NMSU faculty member in the English Department where she taught for six years.

In addition to her work at NMSU, Cervantes is an award winning children €™s author and was named a New Voices Pick by the American Booksellers Association. Cervantes is a frequent speaker at national conferences and events including the Society of Children €™s Book Writers and Illustrators, the National Council of the Teachers of English, The Texas Book Festival and the Festival of International Books and Arts.

As a community advocate, she has served on multiple boards, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and the Women €™s Intercultural Center.

Cervantes replaces Luan Wagner Burn, Ph.D., who started as the executive director of the CFSNM six years ago. Burn will be retiring following an extensive career in philanthropic services and nonprofit work.

The CFSNM is a charitable resource linking donors with community needs and facilitates individual, family and organizational philanthropy through grant making, educational scholarships, advocacy and unique program expertise. Interested donors are encouraged to call the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico at 575-521-4794 or visit www.cfsnm.org to contribute to programs and organizations serving our community.