Department Name
College or School
Value Statement
Prepare for careers in law, public service, and education through hands-on learning and close faculty mentorship.
The Department of History and Political Science at NMHU offers students a strong foundation in critical thinking, research, and communication. Through small classes and faculty mentorship, students explore historical and political systems with an emphasis on regional, national, and global perspectives.
Undergraduate Programs
• B.A. in Political Science
• B.A. in History
• Minor in Political Science
• Minor in History
Graduate Programs
• Master of Arts in Public Affairs
Hands-On Learning
Students engage in research, internships, and applied projects throughout their coursework.
Hands-On Learning
Students engage in research, internships, and applied projects throughout their coursework.
Hands-On Learning
Students engage in research, internships, and applied projects throughout their coursework.
Students in the department gain experience both inside and outside the classroom through research projects, internships, and student organizations.
Graduates of our programs build skills that prepare them for a wide range of careers and advanced study.
• Law and legal professions
• Government and public administration
• Education
• Policy analysis and advocacy
• Nonprofit leadership
Dr. Jane Smith
Professor of Political Science
Expertise: Public policy, American government
Email: jsmith@nmhu.edu
Dr. Jane Smith
Professor of Political Science
Expertise: Public policy, American government
Email: jsmith@nmhu.edu
Dr. Jane Smith
Professor of Political Science
Expertise: Public policy, American government
Email: jsmith@nmhu.edu
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Research or community engagement highlights
New Mexico Highlands University Announces U.S. Senator and Alumnus Ben Ray Luján as 2026 Commencement Speaker
New Mexico Highlands University will welcome U.S. Senator and Highlands alumnus Ben Ray Luján as the keynote speaker for its 2026 Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the John A. Wilson Center on the Las Vegas main campus,…
Dr. Elisabeth Valenzuela awarded W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant to advance biliteracy assessment in New Mexico
Dr. Elisabeth Valenzuela, associate professor and chair of the Department of Teacher Education at New Mexico Highlands University, has been awarded a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to lead a statewide effort to improve how bilingual students are assessed. The…
New Mexico Highlands Rehabilitation Counseling Grad Program Lauded By U.S. News & World Report
New Mexico Highlands University’s Rehabilitation Counseling graduate studies program landed in a tie for 60th in the country on the recent U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list of best graduate programs, while the university as a whole was ranked 52nd among public…
Department-specific admissions notes (brief)
Office Location: Donnelly Hall, Room 214
Phone: (505) 555-1234
Email: history@nmhu.edu
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm