New Mexico State University will kick off its second annual 1888 Minutes of Giving campaign as part of Founder Day celebrations, beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 22.
During the 1,888-minute crowdfunding initiative, NMSU donors will have the chance to support more than 50 different funds that benefit students and essential programs at NMSU – including one program that has helped improve the lives of refugees, immigrants and community members through education and job training.
NMSU’s Refugees and Immigrant Project started nearly four years ago as a passion project by Rajaa Shindi, a college assistant professor of information systems in the College of Business, and her daughter, Hiba Muhyi.
Then, it was loosely coordinated endeavor designed to support refugees fleeing Afghanistan with basic needs like clothing and food. Today, it’s a program funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that now assists community members from the Las Cruces area as well as refugees and immigrants from all over the world through free weekly English lessons and job training to prepare them for the workforce. It also aims to promote community-building and parent-child support.
“Since 2022, our program has made significant strides in impacting the lives of participants and contributing to the community through various initiatives,” Shindi said. “We have served more than 600 participants, including Afghan refugees, other nationalities, NMSU and Doña Ana County community members, and Las Cruces Public Schools families. We have also engaged more than 200 children and youth in enriching activities through summer camps and after-school outreach programs that focus on STEM, business and AI-learning.”
Shindi runs the program with a group of volunteer teachers and educators who provide educational services to help participants develop language, digital and professional skills. These services include ESL classes, digital literacy workshops, GED tutoring and commercial driving training.
According to Shindi, more than 50% of individuals who have participated in the program’s educational services have secured employment or started businesses.
Since its beginning, the program has tailored many of its offerings and workshops to empower women. Several women who have gone through the program have started selling homemade food at the Las Cruces Farmers and Craft Market and other venues, Shindi said.
The program has also partnered with NMSU’s Glass Family Research Institute for Early Childhood Studies to establish to after-school childcare for parents participating in classes, workshops and trainings.
“We have also fostered collaborations with the University of New Haven in Connecticut to develop health care management and information systems research that contributes to the academic community,” Shindi said. “In addition, we’ve also joined with Global NMSU to provide microlearning and digital education training classes.”
Earlier this year, the Kellogg Foundation extended its funding for the program, allowing Shindi to continue its operations through February 2026.
“We recognize that these times may be particularly difficult for our international students and other communities experiencing additional stress and uncertainty,” Shindi said. “During this challenging period, we want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting you in every way possible.”
To support NMSU’s Refugees and Immigrant Project during 1888 Minutes of Giving campaign, visit https://www.givecampus.com/schools/NewMexicoStateUniversity/founders-day-1888-minutes-of-giving. The program is listed under “Community Educational and Economic Development Programs” as part of the College of Business.
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University’s Refugees and Immigrant Project, headed by Rajaa Shindi, has helped improve the lives of refugees, immigrants and community members through education and job training. Donors may support program as part of NMSU 1,888-minute crowdfunding initiative. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)