In conjunction with the Barbara “Mother” Hubbard tribute dinner happening mid-October, three entertainment industry leaders will be speaking with students and the public about their careers. Two are alumni who will also share how Hubbard was so involved with their NMSU experience and inspired them throughout their career journeys. 

Speakers include Mike McLean, entertainment photographer; Steve Dixon, concert producer and promoter; and Mashawn Nix, television producer. All will be speaking during an HRTM 444: Event and Business Venue Management course, which will be held in the Barbara Hubbard Room of the Pan American Center.  

“As the HRTM 444 professor, it is an honor to have Barbara arrange such world-class speakers to educate our students. In the spirit of hospitality, we are opening these presentations to the NMSU and Las Cruces community, so they also have the opportunity to learn from their wealth of experience,” said Jean Hertzman, director of NMSU’s School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management.  

“I am very grateful that Barbara Hubbard is so involved in teaching the class and bringing such high-quality industry professionals for us to learn from,” said Carolina Jimenez, a senior student in HRTM.  

McLean will be first to speak from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in Hubbard’s namesake room inside the Pan Am Center.  

Dixon and Nix will speak the following day from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, also in the Barbara Hubbard Room.  

McLean’s career as a music photographer started as a freelancer. He’s covered concerts for CBS music, Geffen and MCA, among other labels, and his work has been featured in music magazines, on albums, and in artist promotional packages. He’s toured with acts such as Guns N’ Roses, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and others.  

Dixon has been in the entertainment industry for 29 years and produced shows for Aerosmith, Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Guns N’ Roses, and more. He also benefited from the American Collegiate Talent Showcase program and returns to NMSU every year to help inspire students that are interested in the industry. 

Nix is a multi-Emmy winning television producer, showrunner and television executive with extensive experience producing unscripted television, digital and social media platforms. She’s currently the global head of the creative studio for well-being platform RoundGlass. Nix has worked with legends like Oprah Winfrey, Howie Mandel, Jada Pinkett Smith, and more.  

HRTM 444 students will also be volunteering at the Hubbard tribute dinner on Oct. 19 to assist with greeting guests and the silent auction. “I appreciate the university providing the opportunity to gain real-world experience working this very prestigious and complex event,” said Kayla McCabe, a senior majoring in HRTM.  

The public is welcome to join these free speaker sessions, and no RSVP is needed.  

For more information, contact Jean Hertzman at jhertzma@nmsu.edu.