McCollum was previously the owner and chief executive officer of FIG Publications, which owned the Las Cruces Bulletin, the Rio Rancho Observer and the Kirtland Air Force Base Nucleus. Each of these newspapers was struggling financially when they were acquired by FIG, but were quickly turned around.
McCollum has also worked as group publisher for the Community Newspapers Holding Company in Birmingham, Ala., as president and publisher of the Las Cruces Publishing Company, and as a senior leader in several other companies in the areas of media, marketing and advertising. In each instance, McCollum demonstrated the ability to successfully promote growth and expansion.
“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to join the NMSU team,” McCollum said. “Athletics is crucial to the university. It’s one of the primary opportunities we have to get our name out across the country. The coaches we have at NMSU are some of the best in the country.”
Under the new organization plan, McCollum will oversee the department’s marketing, financial and Title IX operations. He will also coordinate supervision of sports information. NMSU Athletics Director McKinley Boston will continue to oversee each of the NMSU team coaches. McCollum credited Boston for the increased focus on academics within NMSU Athletics during his time at the university.