New Mexico State University Foundation

It’s spring, and Aggie Spirit is in the air! ???? Join NMSU Alumni and Albuquerque Aggies as we celebrate the return of warm weather and the anticipation of summer fun! ?? ??? Thursday, April 10 ?? 6 – 8 p.m. ?? Sheehan Winery | Old Town Tasting Room, 303 Romero Street, #Albuquerque, NM ??? https://lnkd.in/gxqRcBPb #AlwaysAnAggie #ABQ

?? There’s still time to nominate an exceptional Aggie for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards, James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service, and Young Alumni Service Award—the highest honors presented by NMSU Alumni. These awards recognize outstanding graduates, dedicated volunteers, and rising leaders who make a lasting impact on #NMSU and their communities. ?? The deadline to submit nominations is May 15, 2025. Take a moment to recognize an outstanding Aggie—nominate today! ?? https://lnkd.in/gT_syZAy Honorees will be announced this summer and recognized during NMSU Homecoming Weekend at one of the Alumni Association’s most cherished events, the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner. ? #AlwaysAnAggie

Yesterday, two new members were officially sworn in to the #NMSU Board of Regents. Join us in welcoming Marisol Olivas and Rico Gonzales as they begin their journey in shaping the future of New Mexico State University!

ICYMI: “Women’s history can never be taken for granted,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham at last week’s History Maker event at the State Capitol in #SantaFe. In celebration of Women’s History Month, the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program honored Dr. Sylvia Y. Acosta ’10, CEO of the #NMSUFoundation, along with seven other remarkable women for their contributions to history in the making. The awards ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda recognized trailblazers from across #NewMexico who are shaping the future today. Congratulations to all eight honorees making their mark on our state! #WomensHistoryMonth #HistoryMakers

Celebrating Excellence in Engineering! The #NMSUFoundation salutes the NMSU Engineering for awarding endowed professorships to three outstanding faculty members in recognition of their impactful #research, leadership, and dedication to advancing #engineering education: Dr. Di Shi – Paul W. and Valerie Klipsch Distinguished Professorship (Electrical & Computer Engineering) Dr. Fengyu Wang – Public Service Company of New Mexico Professorship in Utility Management Dr. Gloria Zhang – John Minor Professor in Civil Engineering These prestigious honors not only elevate #faculty excellence but also reflect the generosity and vision of the donors who made them possible. Join us in congratulating these remarkable #professors! To create an endowed professorship to fuel the work of other faculty members, see?https://lnkd.in/gNcs2PQu. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gqGVrtV6 #AlwaysAnAggie

Making history during Women’s History Month! Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham presented #NMSUFoundation CEO Dr. Sylvia Y. Acosta ’10 with the New Mexico History Maker Award at the Roundhouse in #SantaFe on March 6. Joined by seven other women honored for their outstanding community contributions, Dr. Acosta expressed her gratitude: “I am truly grateful to receive the New Mexico History Maker Award and to be recognized among so many resilient women whose grit and determination inspire me.” ? Congratulations, Dr. Acosta, and thank you for your tireless work on behalf of the women and young people of #NewMexico! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gtkSwxWC #AlwaysAnAggie #WomensHistoryMonth

“By providing civil engineering students with a robust platform to develop entrepreneurial skills and champion visionary solutions, we are not only fostering talent but also shaping the future of the construction industry” said Dana Catron, interim director and CEO of Arrowhead Center: New Mexico State Universityr. Learn more about NMSU Engineering students and their innovative construction technologies aimed at addressing global challenges.: https://lnkd.in/g68mQwq5 #AlwaysAnAggie #HultPrize

#SantaFe Aggies: Help us celebrate Women’s History Month by honoring the remarkable women shaping New Mexico’s history! Join the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program on March 6, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. in the New Mexico State Capitol Rotunda as they recognize eight trailblazing women, including NMSU’s own Dr. Sylvia Y. Acosta ’10, CEO of the #NMSUFoundation! Hear from Governor Lujan Grisham and other community leaders, learn about organizations improving the lives of women and girls in #NewMexico, and connect with some of the women paving the way for future generations! Read the article by New Mexico Magazine: https://lnkd.in/gn5HC_J6 #AlwaysAnAggie

?? When Dr. Susan Wightman Brown ’81, ’00, began her career in #education, the term #STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) wasn’t yet part of the national lexicon. Now, 40 years later, Brown—an #NMSU professor for 25 years and one of New Mexico’s most influential leaders in STEM education—has built a legacy that continues to inspire tens of thousands of students statewide. ?? Believing that “every child needs to have a chance to succeed,” Brown made history by establishing NMSU’s STEM Outreach Center, which she led for many years, and the Papen-Aprendamos Autism Diagnostic Center—both of which significantly shaped New Mexico’s public education system. She also started the Early Childhood Research Center in O’Donnell Hall, which continues to thrive today. During Women’s History Month 2025, themed Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations, Dr. Brown exemplifies the many women who have made lasting contributions to American history. ???? ?? She led efforts to provide high-quality STEM after-school programs for thousands of K-8 students in southern #NewMexico and secured nearly $23 million in research grants—creating more than 200 jobs and strengthening the Do?a Ana County economy. She also served as interim dean of NMSU’s College of Education, was a research professor and director of the STEM Outreach Center, and taught science for 16 years at the middle and high school levels. ?? Now dean emerita, she continues to champion STEM education by seeking funding opportunities for New Mexico’s students. “New Mexico needs our youth to know that there are many STEM jobs available in our state,” she says. ?? ?? Thanks to her enduring efforts, future generations will learn that a career in STEM is within reach. The #NMSUFoundation proudly salutes Dr. Susan Brown for her groundbreaking work in education, research, and community engagement. ???? #AlwaysAnAggie

Join us in celebrating our incredible faculty and staff for their outstanding contributions and commitment to excellence! Their dedication, mentorship, and service make a lasting impact within their departments, our College, and the entire University. Congratulations to this year’s honorees! The list below shows their well-deserved awards. Photos are in order. Synergy Faculty Leadership: Dr. Qianyun （Gloria） Zhang, John Minor Professorship, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Synergy One-College Faculty: Dr. Yanxing Wang, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Synergy Staff Leadership: Vanessa Fisher, Program Specialist, Sr. Office of Outreach and Recruitment Synergy One-College Staff: Sara Patricolo, Program Operations Director, Sr, Office of Outreach and Recruitment Foreman Faculty Excellence: Dr. Samah Ben-Ayed, Associate Professor, Engineering Technology and Geomatics Foreman Staff Excellence: Claudia Solorzano, Administrative Assistant, Inter, Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Frank Bromilow Faculty Excellence: Dr. Abdessattar Abdelkefi, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Frank Bromilow Engineering Staff Excellence: Mario Garcia, Program Manager, Office of Outreach and Recruitment Mentorship Award: Dr. Abdessattar Abdelkefi, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Bhatti Family Graduate Assistant Award: Roshira Premadasa, Civil Engineering Graduate