Lori Keleher, a philosophy professor at NMSU, has been a familiar face at the William Conroy Honors College for almost 17 years. In fact, she was once a student at the college and was recently named the college’s fellowship program director.
Keleher earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from NMSU in 1997 and went on to earn a master’s degree in philosophy from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Maryland. She joined NMSU’s faculty in 2008.
As director of the Fellowship Office, Keleher works with undergraduate students of all majors to apply for prestigious fellowships – such as Fulbright Scholars, the Payne Fellowship, the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship and more – many of which include experiences studying abroad. She provides guidance with finding fellowship opportunities relating to students’ research and career interests, writing personal essays, cultivating mentoring relationships with faculty members, requesting letters of recommendations and application submissions.
“The fellowship opportunities we target are excellent resume builders that set any applicant apart from other students graduating with high GPAs and strong letters of recommendations. They are also transformative experiences that forever enrich students’ lives,” said Keleher, who was born and raised in New Mexico. “As a New Mexican and a NMSU alumna, I am grateful to work with our students as they apply for these amazing opportunities. It is my privilege to introduce our best students to the world.”
The Honors College offers a one-credit class from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Wednesdays for highly motivated students interested in applying for fellowships. The course numbers are HRNS 2111 or HRNS 315. For more information about the Honors College Fellowship Office, visit https://honors.nmsu.edu/scholarships/index.html.