A former New Mexico Highlands University athletic director has filed a new lawsuit accusing the state-owned school in Las Vegas, N.M., of harassment, discrimination and retaliation based on race, religion and sex.
In the federal complaint, filed May 21 in the U.S. District Court for New Mexico, Shanna Halalilo alleges university administrators disregarded reports of sexual harassment, favored members of a particular religious group, attempted to impose gendered pay gaps, and overlooked romantic relationships between student athletes and their coaches, according to Margaret O'Hara, reporting Thursday for the Santa Fe New Mexican.
“Every significant NMHU decision-maker since [former President Sam] Minner appeared to discount Ms. Halalilo’s voice, issues, and ability based on her gender,” the complaint states.
“The complaint sets out allegations that have not been tested or proven, and the University will respond to them through the court process,” Highlands general counsel Doajo Hicks wrote in an email to the New Mexican. “The University respectfully [declines] to address the specific claims outside of that process.”
Hicks added, “The University remains committed to providing a workplace and educational environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and to complying with all applicable laws, including Title IX and Title VII.”
O'Hara wrote, "The lawsuit is the latest development in a turbulent few months at Highlands. University regents in early June officially fired President Neil Woolf, about a month after he was placed on administrative leave.
"Woolf’s departure was the first in a wave of high-level dismissals that also resulted in the removal of Highlands’ provost, several vice presidents and the men’s basketball coach. The leadership changes have prompted a special audit from the state auditor and a mandatory corrective action plan from the New Mexico Higher Education Department."
Woolf has filed his own lawsuit against the university, O'Hara added.
Initially hired in 2018 as an assistant women’s basketball coach, Halalilo rose through the ranks of Highlands athletics over several seasons. She became a student-athlete success coordinator, then associate athletic director, then co-athletic director. She was named sole athletic director in early 2025, the New Mexican reported previously, per O'Hara.
Among the allegations made by Halalilo since her May 2025 departure from the university:
- Her termination was the result of discrimination and retaliation by Highlands’ leaders. "After reporting she had faced sexual harassment and unwanted advances from senior officials at Highlands, Halalilo alleges, university administrators 'aughed off' her accounts and left her in a 'prolonged hostile environment, eroding her health and performance,' ” O'Hara reported.
- Highlands “embraced a culture of non-compliance” surrounding anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies. Per O'Hara, Halalilo "raised concerns about the university’s policies against sex discrimination and inappropriate fraternization, according to the complaint. Weeks before her termination, she denied a raise to a coach for failing to adhere to anti-fraternization reporting protocols, after the coach’s staff had romantic relationships with student-athletes they coached, the complaint states.
- Highlands discriminating against her because she is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Woolf, a member of what’s widely known as the Mormon church, conferred with other members of the church while deciding to terminate Halalilo, she alleges, according to O'Hara.
- Finally, Highlands violated New Mexico’s Fair Pay for Women Act. O'Hara wrote, "The university’s initial compensation scheme for Halalilo and a male co-athletic director proposed a salary of $105,000 for him and a $85,000 salary for her, she claims, though it was later scrapped in favor of an equal rate."
Halalilo seeks back pay for any underpaid wages, compensation for emotional distress, interest and attorney’s fees, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
