Other NM universities announcements

New Mexico State University has long been known for advancing research that strengthens lives, fuels innovation, and aligns with New Mexico's most pressing priorities. Three high-profile research projects currently underway at NMSU combine the reach of a land-grant university with the university's commitment to advancing a culture of excellence in research, scholarship and creative activity. 

In early 2025, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education announced that NMSU achieved the prestigious R1 classification due to its high research spending and doctorate production. Receiving the RI designation has already begun to expand paid research opportunities and career pathways for students, strengthen competitiveness for federal, state, and industry funding, and attract new industries, create jobs, and anchor innovation ecosystems across New Mexico. Research findings will translate to industry innovation, inform public policies and address global challenges with local implications. 

The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship at New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center, in collaboration with Startup Chihuahua, Startup Juárez and Tecnológico de Monterrey through its Parque Tecnológico Orión, has concluded the 2026 Borderplex Fundraising Sprint, a six-week accelerator program designed to help regional startups navigate the fundraising process and prepare for investment opportunities.

The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship is dedicated to strengthening the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem by empowering diverse communities to pursue entrepreneurship, expanding access to early-stage investment opportunities and supporting the development of innovative products and services.

New Mexico State University Police arrested 46-year-old David J. Curtis on a charge of possessing an explosive or incendiary device. Curtis was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on June 10 and remains in custody under pretrial detention by the District Court.

"NMSU officers were dispatched to an area of the desert south of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum on the evening of June 9 after reports of two explosions near an RV camper west of the rodeo facility," said Justin Dunivan, chief of the NMSU Police Department.

NM FAST has extended the application deadline for the SBIR/STTR Commercialization Bridge Pilot, a program that supports New Mexico companies transitioning from federal Phase II research and development to Phase III commercialization, procurement, and revenue generation. Applications are now due Wednesday, Aug. 5. The program runs from Aug. 18 through Sept. 15 and is delivered in partnership with the Santa Fe Business Incubator. 

The pilot is open to New Mexico companies that are active SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees, have completed Phase II within the past two years, or have completed Phase II and are working toward a first Phase III contract. Six to 10 companies will be selected to participate in the cohort. Eligible sectors include defense and national security, energy and clean tech, space and aerospace, health and biotech, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity. 

If you tune your radio to New Mexico State University's KRWG Public Media in the afternoon or evening, you'll hear two widely beloved voices known to listeners across the station's airwaves. Emily Guerra and Leora Zeitlin have hosted two of KRWG's most popular radio shows for more than 25 years and show no signs of stopping. 

Guerra and Zeitlin traveled on two different paths to reach KRWG, yet both began hosting their signature programs on March 8, 2000. They've since brought countless hours of Latin American and classical music to listeners in southern New Mexico and West Texas through their shows, "Fiesta!" and "Intermezzo."

New Mexico State University opens doors to new adventures, and for students Savannah Tuss and Jayda Goodson, one such door led to a nine-day trip to the United Kingdom in May. 

"This trip was much more than a sightseeing opportunity," said Tuss, an NMSU sophomore and state 4-H military ambassador. "It gave us the chance to learn about agriculture from a global perspective while developing leadership skills and representing New Mexico 4-H. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and would encourage other young people to take advantage of experiences like this whenever they can." 

NM FAST is now accepting applications for a free space-sector accelerator cohort designed to help New Mexico-based technology companies compete for federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. The cohort targets founders and researchers pursuing grants from NASA, Space Force, and related federal agencies, with programming set to launch July 21, 2026. 

The cohort will admit six to 10 New Mexico companies and run for 10 to 12 weeks, meeting in weekly sessions of approximately one and a half to two hours. Programming covers the full arc of federal commercialization strategy, including space-sector SBIR/STTR opportunities and federal funding pathways, proposal development for technical narratives and commercialization components, federal procurement positioning and agency discovery, capital strategy and follow-on funding options, and transition planning from Phase I to Phase II awards. Participants also receive targeted one-on-one advisory support throughout the program. The cohort is offered at no cost to accepted companies. 

Legacy can be a powerful responsibility, and New Mexico State University's Omega Psi Phi Fraternity members have embraced it. 

"Our ability to collaborate, deal with adversity and make things happen, that's always been a hallmark of our ability on this campus for 50 years," said Oliver Thomas, a 1978 NMSU graduate. "We're part of the legacy of this university and proud of the university." 

When members of the Eta Eta Chapter returned to NMSU in October 2025 to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the reunion provided an opportunity to reminisce about their college years and to plan for the next generation to follow in their footsteps.