New Mexico State University presented Andrea Arrigucci, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management senior program specialist, the “A” Mountain Staff Award for her demonstration of NMSU’s core values: leadership, excellence, access, diversity and inclusion, and student-centered focus. Arrigucci received the award during NMSU’s Employee Appreciation Picnic, Oct. 31.
“I want to be an ally for prospective and current students of any area of study or alumni navigating their first career steps,” Arrigucci said. “I also seek out colleagues at NMSU who may need a team player, may benefit from collaboration or can utilize what I have learned from my experience.”
Arrigucci is a two-time NMSU graduate and made it a point to focus on areas on diversity, inclusion and needs of Hispanic-serving Institutions throughout her master’s program. She wanted to provide valuable service through her work.
“It is important to me to lead by example and provide students a safe space to figure out the big decisions in front of them and introduce them to options and resources they may not have known were available to them,” Arrigucci said.
As HRTM’s senior program specialist her work is focused on service and elevating HRTM, NMSU, partners in industry, the surrounding community and Career and Technical Education through marketing, research and outreach. Since the completion of her master’s degree in 2023, she has taught HRTM 3910 Professional Development in the spring semester.
“I appreciate the freedom to be creative with my work, to rise to the occasion, take on new tasks and to keep learning new skills and lessons, especially as student needs change,” she said.
Arrigucci said she is grateful for the mentorship of the HRTM faculty and her academic mentors; Jean Hertzman, HRTM department head and director, and Anne Hubbell, Honors College associate dean and professor.
“Andrea is a proud HRTM alumni and devoted Aggie,” Hertzman said. “Everything she does in her position as program specialist for HRTM and the Marriott Hospitality Futures Center is focused on promoting the value of higher education and NMSU and bringing out the best in people for them to be able to achieve their personal and professional goals.”
“Above everything else, getting to mentor and work with students, now even teaching a course, is more rewarding and enjoyable than I ever imagined,” Arrigucci said. “It amazes me every day the opportunities students achieve through their hard work and openness to learn.”
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CUTLINE: Andrea Arrigucci, second from right, was presented the New Mexico State University “A” Mountain Staff Award by Lakshmi Reddi, from left, interim provost, Sonia White, Employee Council vice chair, and Donna Johnson, Employee Council chair, at NMSU’s Employee Appreciation Picnic, Oct. 31. (NMSU photo by Desirea Gurule)