As an academic adviser at New Mexico State University, Victoria Bañuelos is committed to helping students achieve their goals. Bañuelos was honored for her work and named one of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Region 2 Chapter Advisors of the Year.
Bañuelos is the pre-health professions adviser, program coordinator for the Osteopathic Medicine Pathway Program and an academic adviser for physical sciences and engineering majors in NMSU’s Center for Academic Advising and Student Support. She also volunteers as chapter adviser for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars at NMSU.
“I’m very honored to have been chosen, but honestly the officers for the organization do so much on their own that I really am just a supporting role,” she said.
Bañuelos joined the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as an undergraduate.
“Not only do you focus on scholarship, leadership and service, but you also develop great relationships and are given many great opportunities,” she said.
“The CAASS family and the rest of the NMSU system advising community are so proud of Vicky’s accomplishment,” said Marissa Fowler, CAASS associate director. “She is a dedicated adviser who is always willing to go the extra mile to support students. She is focused on helping them grow and meet their goals. You can always count on Vicky to have a positive attitude and the answer to almost every question. She is a pillar of the advising community, and her students and colleagues are lucky she works at NMSU.”
Since earning her bachelor’s degrees in foreign language and mathematics at NMSU in 2008, Bañuelos has worked in various student-focused positions. In 2017, she graduated with a master’s degree in educational administration.
“I love that my conversations with students regardless of whether it is a five-minute conversation or an hour-long conversation is impacting not only their academics but their futures as members of society,” Bañuelos said. “I get so proud when I see a student that I advised as a freshman walk across the stage or tell me that they were admitted to medical school.”