Biography

Veronica Torrez serves as Vice President of Human Resources at the University of the Southwest, where she provides strategic leadership and oversight for all human resources operations in support of the institution’s mission and long-term goals. A lifelong resident of Hobbs, New Mexico, Veronica’s professional journey reflects a deep commitment to both her community and higher education.

She began her career with the City of Hobbs during her senior year of high school, gaining early exposure to public service and organizational operations. After completing coursework at New Mexico Junior College, she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of the Southwest. Her experience in municipal government provided her with a strong foundation in human resources, employee relations, and policy administration.

In 2013, Veronica transitioned to the University of the Southwest, where she began her career in higher education as Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. At that time, she also decided to pursue her Master of Business Administration at USW, balancing her professional responsibilities with graduate studies and family life. Earning her MBA strengthened her leadership capacity and strategic perspective, further preparing her for executive-level service.

Throughout her tenure at USW, Veronica has been dedicated to fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and collaboration. She values the dynamic nature of human resources and the opportunity to support faculty and staff through thoughtful policy development, compliance oversight, talent management, and employee engagement initiatives. As a member of the Executive Cabinet, she remains committed to advancing the university’s mission while investing in the people who make that mission possible.