First established as New Mexico Normal School, the institution became New Mexico Highlands University in 1941, as it expanded its role beyond teacher education.

Today, NMHU in Las Vegas offers graduate and undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, education, and social work. Located in the heart of Las Vegas, a small, friendly town with a population of about 18,000, Highlands’ main campus is close to recreational and wilderness areas, and within a few hours of major metropolitan centers.

Through distance education, Internet courses, and on-site faculty, NMHU also offers some degree completion and graduate programs in Farmington, Rio Rancho, Española, Santa Fe, and Roswell.

Although students from all over the world attend NMHU, the majority of its approximately 3,500 students are from New Mexico and are Hispanic. Highlands’ programs focus on its multi-ethnic student body, especially the Hispanic and Native American cultures distinctive of New Mexico.

The university continues the traditional role of an institution of higher learning in the liberal arts and sciences; it also offers comprehensive programs in business, teacher education, engineering, and social work. The university is committed to excellence in the transmission, discovery, preservation, and application of knowledge itself to maintain a progressive, forward-looking posture responsive to the changing social environment, as to shape the direction the institution will take with respect to anticipated demands and approaching opportunities.

As part of its mission to serve the individual student through personal attention, Highlands maintains an open enrollment, small classes, and low tuition. It is known nationwide for its research activities, student and faculty achievement, and opportunities for students to combine study with real-world experience. In addition, the required freshman seminar addresses retention by orienting new students to college life and university resources to ensure their success through graduation.

NMHU students and faculty alike consistently receive national and international recognition for many of their achievements, and have opportunities to network with other researchers and professionals in their areas of interest.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. NMHU also has specialty accreditations. The School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The School of Business is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

NMHU is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, NCAA Division II and fields eleven teams – five men’s and six women’s. They include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer, softball, women’s track, volleyball and wrestling.