Manuel Trinidad Pacheco (born May 30, 1941) was president of Laredo State University (1984–1988), the

University of Houston–Downtown The University of Houston–Downtown (UHD) is a public university in Houston, Texas, United States. Established in 1974 as University of Houston–Downtown College (UH–DC), it has a campus that spans in Downtown Houston with a satellite loc ...

(1988–1991), the

University of Arizona The University of Arizona (Arizona, U of A, UArizona, or UA) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, it ...

(1991–1997), the

University of Missouri System The University of Missouri System is an American state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, and ten research and technology parks. Over 61,500 students (Fall 202 ...

(1997–2002). In retirement, he served as the interim president of his alma mater,

New Mexico Highlands University New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU or Highlands) is a public university in Las Vegas, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 1893, it has satellite campuses in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Farmington and Roswell. NMHU has an average a ...

(2006-2007), and two terms as the interim president of

New Mexico State University New Mexico State University (NMSU or NM State) is a public, land-grant, research university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 1888, it is the state's oldest public institution of higher education, and was the original land-g ...

(2009, 2012-2013). Pacheco was born in

Rocky Ford, Colorado Rocky Ford is a statutory city located in Otero County, Colorado, United States. The population was 3,876 at the 2020 census. History The community was named for a rocky ford across the Arkansas River near the original town site. Geography ...

. He received a bachelor's degree from New Mexico Highlands University in 1962, a masters in Spanish, and a Ph.D. in foreign language from the

Ohio State University The Ohio State University (Ohio State or OSU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, United States. A member of the University System of Ohio, it was founded in 1870. It is one ...

in 1962 and 1969, respectively. Before becoming president at Laredo State University, he was associate dean of the College of Education at

The University of Texas at El Paso The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a public university, public research university in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1913 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, it is the third oldest academic component of the Univers ...

from 1982 to 1986 and executive director of the Bilingual Education Center at Texas A&I University, now known as

Texas A&M University–Kingsville Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a Public university, public research university in Kingsville, Texas, United States. It is the southernmost campus of the Texas A&M University System. The university developed the nation's first doctoral degr ...

. During his tenure as president of the

("MU"), Pacheco recommended to the board of curators that the university system exclude sexual orientation as a protected category in the system's non-discrimination clause. Pacheco stated his desire to only include categories protected by law (at the time, sexual orientation was not). The board accepted the recommendation in 1999, despite protests from students. In October 2003, after Pacheco's retirement, the system added sexual orientation to the clause, making it one of the last in the former "Big 12" to do so. In 1991, Pacheco was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pacheco, Manuel 1941 births People from Rocky Ford, Colorado New Mexico Highlands University alumni Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences alumni Texas A&M International University Presidents of New Mexico State University Presidents of the University of Missouri System Presidents of the University of Houston–Downtown Presidents of the University of Arizona Living people