Download the complete University General Counsel Organizational Chart

Please direct all new requests for legal assistance to gencounsel@nmsu.edu.

GENERAL COUNSEL

Lisa Henderson
lisalh@nmsu.edu

J.D. University of Oklahoma College of Law, Norman

Lisa Henderson serves as NMSU’s general counsel and chief legal officer. She is an experienced public attorney, previously serving as general counsel for the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office, deputy general counsel for the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and associate general counsel at Oklahoma City Community College. She additionally worked in a private law firm for seven years in employment law and insurance defense.

While with the Land Office, Henderson was involved in real estate and investment projects to align the business interests of both the public and private sectors to maximize resources and increase earnings for the benefit of the educational trust fund.  Henderson also holds a  Master of Laws in healthcare from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. 

ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL

Scott Field
psfield@nmsu.edu

J.D. 2008, Arizona State University.

Scott Field joined the NMSU University General Counsel office in 2016 after seven years as a commercial litigator.  Field’s primary areas of focus include NMSU’s Real Estate Office and Aggie Development, Inc., the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, NMSU’s Athletics, Arrowhead Center, Inc., contract negotiation, litigation support, data privacy, and sponsored research. Field also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a Bachelor’s of Science from Texas A&M University.

ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL

Heather C. Chavez
hcchavez@nmsu.edu

J.D. 2001, University of Oklahoma College of Law

Heather Chavez joined the NMSU University General Counsel Office in 2024. Chavez brings twenty years of litigation experience, having worked as a prosecutor with the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office where she focused primarily on violent crimes, including sexual assault and crimes against children. She served as Chief Deputy District Attorney in her final three years. Her primary duties with UGC include handling IPRA requests, affiliation agreements, and procurement contracts. Chavez is a member of the New Mexico Disciplinary Board, having been appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court in January 2024. In addition to her law degree, Chavez holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from New Mexico State University.

ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL

Isaiah X. Herrera
isaiahx@nmsu.edu

J.D. 2017, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

Isaiah Herrera joined the NMSU University General Counsel office in 2025. His work includes providing legal advice and support in athletics, employment law, contracts, and civil rights compliance. Herrera also assists with litigation oversight and coordination with outside counsel.  Before joining NMSU, Isaiah was a civil litigation defense attorney where he focused on medical malpractice defense, contract litigation, and professional liability matters. Prior to pursuing his law degree, Isaiah obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from New Mexico State University.

UNIVERSITY POLICY OFFICER

Donna L. Ottaviano
dottavia@nmsu.edu

B.S. Management/Human Resources

Donna Ottaviano joined the University General Counsel Office in 2025 after 7 years with the Office of People Relations, most recently as Director.  Ottaviano’s current role facilitates and supports the Policy Steering Committee with administration of NMSU policies.  Her 30-year career as a human resources professional includes banking, public education, health care, federal and city government, and retail.  Donna is a certified workplace investigator and trained mediator.  She participates in community organizations such as Order of the Eastern Star, Mesilla Valley Assembly of Rainbow Girls, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and Dona Ana Arts Council.