NMHU Campus News

NMHU Professor Blanca Céspedes Advocates for More Women in Fire and Forest Management

Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires show need for more women in fields like firefighting February 2, 2023 According to Dr. Blancas Céspedes, gender discrimination is a widespread problem in academia, and when it comes to fire and forest management, it can be a barrier for women entering those fields. Only four percent of firefighters…

NMHU Launches New Social Justice Concentration in Sociology and Anthropology

The new focus will provide prepare students interested in pursuing jobs in justice and human rights January 12, 2023 New Mexico Highlands University launched a new social justice concentration in Sociology and Anthropology this fall. Students from any discipline interested in social justice can also choose to add it as a minor. The concentration in…

NMHU’s De’Scoville and Sloan Garner Awards at 2022 SAF Conference

Stewardship, Education, and Reforestation Win the Day January 11, 2023 New Mexico Highlands University’s Peggy De’Scoville was named forestry student of the year and Professor Joshua Sloan won recognition as forest manager of the year at the Southwest Section of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) annual gathering on Friday, October 28, 2022. The Southwest…

NMHU English Professor Lauren Fath Publishes Memoir

Fath’s second book investigates relationships and the things we do—and make—for love January 10, 2023 NMHU’s Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English and Philosophy, Dr. Lauren Fath, has published a new book, My Hands, Remembering: A Memoir. The memoir, which consists of linked essays, was released on November 11, 2022….

NMHU Native American Social Work Studies Institute Partners with UNM School of Medicine

Highlands University social work students develop case review skills in intimate partner violence January 9, 2023 The Native American Social Work Studies Institute (NASWSI) is working in partnership with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine to provide social work students with an opportunity to develop case review skills in addressing intimate partner violence…

NMHU Associate VP Denise Montoya Named Vice-Chair of LANL Foundation Board

Montoya is working to bring more resources to rural communities in Northern New Mexico November 8, 2022 Dr. Denise Montoya, New Mexico Highlands University’s Associate Vice President for Finance, Administration, and Government Relations was named the new Vice-Chair of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Foundation Board. Montoya served as the LANL Foundation Board’s Secretary…

New Mexico Highlands University Launches Three New Business Degrees

Online programs designed to meet the demands of working professionals strengthening their skillset November 7, 2022 The Department of Business Administration at Highlands University is pleased to announce three new degree programs: a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in healthcare administration, a Bachelor of Applied Science in General Business, and a Bachelor of…

NMHU’s Santos-Medina wins prestigious AMP award

Non-traditional NMHU biology student’s research takes home top prize LAS VEGAS, NM – New Mexico Highlands University biology major Laura Santos-Medina’s research poster won first place at the New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation (NMAMP) conference on Friday, October 7, in Las Cruces, NM. The poster, which explains the influence of arsenic on various blood…

Free Community COVID Testing Continues at NMHU

New Mexico Highlands University continues to offer twice-weekly COVID testing in Melody Park for the campus and Las Vegas community. The free testing is held on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays from 2 until 3:30 p.m. “Testing started in the fall of 2021 and will continue as long as we can,” said…

Fire- and Flood-related Assistance

LAS VEGAS, NM — The Mora-San Miguel Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) has paired with Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) at New Mexico Highlands University to assist those affected by the recent fire and water disasters. The two groups – which share many of the same volunteers – have been collecting information on specific unmet needs…

New Mexico Highlands University Offers New Degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation

The new degree provides foundational skills for professions in wildlife and animal management. LAS VEGAS, NM—Following a soft launch in the spring, New Mexico Highlands University has now fully launched its new bachelor of science degree in wildlife biology and conservation. Biology professor and department chair Dr. Jesus Rivas said creating the program was a…

NMHU Professor, Dr. PJ Sedillo Receives Advocate of the Year Award

In his research, teaching, and advocacy, Dr. Sedillo champions LGBTQ+ students and Gifted students October 3, 2022 Highlands University Professor Dr. PJ Sedillo has been selected by the New Mexico Association for the Gifted as the 2022-2023 Advocate of the Year. Sedillo is an Associate Professor of Special Education and the Gifted Department Chair at…

Highlands University Students Launch Water Conservation Campaign

After the fires and flooding, students at NMHU are working to educate others about how to reduce water use September 30, 2022 In response to the dwindling clean water supply in Las Vegas, New Mexico, students at New Mexico Highlands University have created a water conservation campaign to help educate the campus and wider community…

Highlands University Student Chapter Receives Merit Award from Society of Human Resource Management

Chapter recognized for providing student opportunities September 24, 2022 Las Vegas, NM, September 22, 2022—The student chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) at Highlands University received a 2021-2022 Merit Award from the international SHRM organization for their excellence in programming opportunities for members. Dr. Melanie Zollner, Assistant Professor of Management and faculty…

NMHU awarded $50,000 for College Food Security Initiative

Initiative will include a digital campaign, workshops, and speaking events to destigmatize hunger September 23, 2022 New Mexico Highlands University has received $50,000 from the Higher Education Department’s Addressing College Food Security grant. The funding will be used to support Highlands CAFÉ (Caring About Food Equity), which will address food security, destigmatize hunger, and emphasize…

New Mexico Highlands University Awarded $20.5 Million in State Endowment Funds

Funding to boost critical needs in New Mexico’s rural and Native communities September 21, 2022 New Mexico Highlands University has been awarded $20.5 million in endowment funding from New Mexico’s Higher Education Department (HED) to bolster its education, social work, and nursing degree programs. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Roxanne Gonzales, said…

Forever Cowboy Student Award 2022: Carmelita Sanchez

When Carmelita Sanchez enrolled at New Mexico Highlands University in the fall of 2019, she had no idea she would complete her entire undergraduate education during a pandemic. Despite her unusual college experience, Sanchez said taking online classes helped her accelerate her studies. She graduated this year with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minor…

Distinguished Young Alumnus Award 2022: Justin Montoya

Justin Montoya attended Highlands University for both his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and his master’s degree in exercise physiology. A Las Vegas native, Montoya hoped to use his degrees in his hometown. “When I got out of college and sought out employment in Las Vegas, I didn’t have any avenues in terms of health…

NMHU Spirit Award 2022: Rosemarie Montoya

When the Hermits Peak Fire started, Rosemarie Montoya, a Highlands University alumna and long-time agent with State Farm, began working with the many community members who lost property. “Every day since April 6 I’ve cried with people because they lost their homes,” Montoya said. “And before that it was COVID and crying with people when…

Distinguished Alumnus Award 2022: Max Baca

Max Baca has been a fixture of the New Mexico Highlands University community since he enrolled at the school in 1982 on a football scholarship. Although he has now served as the Vice President of Finance and Administration for nine years, Baca is responsible for bringing the university into the computer age much earlier than…