Carlos S. Lobato, New Mexico State University system information technology compliance officer, now taking on duties as NMSU’s interim chief information security officer, is among those selected for the first cohort of the National Association of College of University Business Officers’ new Emerging Leaders Program.
“Carlos was selected for this program for his high potential, dedication to the field and openness to professional development,” said NMSU Vice Chancellor Ruth Johnston. “It’s a great opportunity for him, but Carlos will be giving as much to members of his cohort as he gains from this experience. As a NACUBO Board member, I’m particularly pleased to have NMSU represented. Carlos is a great ambassador for us.”
Seventy-three high-potential business officers were selected for the yearlong program. Together, they will work to enhance their personal leadership skills, examine the impact of the business office and cross-campus relationships, and gain a better understanding of the present state and future of higher education.
“I am excited about being part of this program,” Lobato said. “We will be learning from leaders across the nation and collaborating with colleagues from many organizations in different states. I will be sharing what I learn and employing these best-practices in my current job as the university’s chief audit officer as well as the incoming interim cyber information security officer.”
In 2012, Lobato became NMSU’s first IT compliance officer for the NMSU system to ensure information technology compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. In 2017, he was appointed by Chancellor Dan Arvizu to the position of chief privacy officer for the NMSU system, where he implemented a privacy program, conducting IT risk assessments, promoting IT and data security-related training and awareness programs and monitoring NMSU systems via auditing and compliance activities in support of the university's mission and goals.
With more than 20 years of professional experience in the corporate and banking industry, higher education and local government entities, Lobato is among participants in the NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program representing 58 institutions in 27 states, ranging from roles in academic or auxiliary business units to officers in central administrative roles.
“We are thrilled to add the Emerging Leaders Program to NACUBO’s suite of professional development offerings for promising business officers,” said Susan Whealler Johnston, NACUBO president and CEO, in the organization’s news release. “We strongly encouraged candidates from under-represented groups in higher education leadership to apply, and this explicit focus on diversity comes at just the right time for the business office, as new perspectives are needed to help the entire sector continue to evolve.”
Lobato was raised in Mexico with Spanish as his first language. He emigrated to New Mexico as a teenager and graduated from Deming High School, going on earn two bachelor’s degrees from NMSU in 2000 in business computer systems and accounting. He also earned his master’s degree in business administration at NMSU. He is a current licensed certified public accountant in New Mexico and holds various professional auditing and information security certifications.
“I know this program will benefit me and the NMSU community,” Lobato said. “The scope is holistic and will enable me to expand the view of IT for our leadership and provide strategies to communicate in ways that can help faculty, staff and students to get a clear picture of the importance of technology to the university as a whole and specifically our cybersecurity mission and every person’s role in it.”