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LAS CRUCES - Republican Gov. Susana Martinez on Tuesday named a student regent for New Mexico State University.

Christopher Dulany, 29, a master's student in business administration, is Martinez's selection. Dulany also works as a financial adviser at Edward Jones Investments in Las Cruces.

Dulany, a registered independent, said he was just notified Monday about being selected.

"I'm honored to be selected by Gov. Martinez and look forward to serving the students at New Mexico State, as well as the institution as a whole," he said Monday.

The state Senate must still confirm the appointment. Dulany said he's waiting to hear about the next steps in the process.

Martinez has not yet named anyone to a second vacancy on the NMSU Board of Regents - a post previously held by Blake Curtis, whose term expired in December.

Dulany replaces NMSU student Regent Chris Anaya, son of former Regent Steve Anaya.

The student regent makes up one of the five members of the governor-appointed NMSU Board of Regents. Dulany will serve a two-year term, though non-student regents serve staggered, six-year terms.

Regent Laura Conniff of Las Cruces said a big issue facing the university is the budget for the next school year, something that hinges on decisions made by lawmakers during the state's ongoing legislative session. The new student regent will be involved, she said.

"I have certainly have met Chris and looked at his credentials," she said. "We've been fortunate to have

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extremely good student regents who've served at NMSU, and I imagine he'll do a great job, as others have done in the past."

Dulany said he plans to represent student interests on the body. That entails making sure that "the education they get is of a good value and that when they graduate, the New Mexico State University name looks good on their résumé," he said.

One of the powers of the board is setting tuition rates, which have only gone up in recent years.

Dulany said he doesn't have enough information yet to state a stance on tuition hikes for the coming year.

NMSU Regent Javier Gonzales said he met Christopher through his brother Travis Dulany and believes he'll "bring a wealth of student experience, as well as private sector experience to the board."

"The student body is going to be very well-served by his participation on the Board of Regents," he said. "I suspect he's going to be an active board member."

Also Wednesday, Jacob Wellman, a political science student, was named student regent for the University of New Mexico.

"These talented young people will play an important role in providing a link between their student bodies, their board of regents and my administration," said Martinez in a news release. "I look forward to working with them so New Mexico's universities can continue to provide a quality education to our students and prepare them for success in the work force."

Dulany served as an Associated Students of New Mexico State University senator and also is involved in the Las Cruces Rotary Club and the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce. He has said previously he expects to graduate in December 2012.

His younger brother, Travis, is outgoing president of the Associated Students of NMSU.

Travis Dulany declined to comment about his brother's appointment.

The election process for a new student body president is under way.

Diana M. Alba can be reached at (575) 541-5443.

Christopher Dulany

•Age: 29

•Major: Master's of business administration with a specialization in finance

•Hometown: Los Alamos

•Started NMSU: Fall 2002

•Expects to graduate: December 2012

•Future goals: to work in the financial field