- Award-winning alumni shape communities, industries and the future of NMSU
The New Mexico State University Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards, the highest honors presented to NMSU graduates. Since 1956, more than 400 NMSU graduates have received this recognition for professional achievement, service and impact.
Each year during NMSU’s Homecoming weekend, the NMSU Foundation celebrates a select group of outstanding alumni through the Distinguished Alumni Awards, the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service and the Young Alumni Service Award. Nominations are open to the public and the NMSU community from August through May.
“Our 2025 Distinguished Alumni honorees truly embody what it means to be an Aggie,” said Sylvia Y. Acosta ’10, CEO of the NMSU Foundation. “Their accomplishments, leadership and service reflect the values instilled at NMSU and inspire all of us to dream big, serve boldly and create lasting impact in our communities, the nation and the world.”
The James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service, established in 1966, honors alumni or friends of the university for exceptional civic, philanthropic and humanitarian contributions. The Young Alumni Service Award, launched in 2019, celebrates graduates younger than 40 who are making a difference early in their careers.
2025 Honorees:
- Cynthia Bejarano, Ph.D. – James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service
A Regents Professor and holder of the Stan Fulton Endowed Chair at NMSU, Bejarano is a national leader in border justice, youth advocacy and gender-based violence. As principal investigator of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), she has helped more than 600 first-generation students who are children of farm workers graduate from NMSU. A published author and international human rights advocate, she has secured more than $10 million in federal support and remains deeply engaged in both scholarship and community impact.
- Keagan Karnes – Young Alumni Service Award
An Emmy-winning filmmaker and co-founder of Inspirado, a New Mexico-based production company, Karnes supports the growth of New Mexico’s creative economy. He frequently partners with NMSU’s Creative Media Institute to mentor students and co-teach courses. He also serves on the Governor’s Council on Film and Media Industries and recently co-produced the feature film “Santa’s Cousin” with CMI faculty member Ross Marks.
- Edward M. Avalos – College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
A national voice for agriculture, Avalos served as Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Obama administration, leading national programs in food marketing and trade. He helped launch New Mexico’s Specialty Crops Program and promoted U.S. agriculture in global markets, including Japan, China and Latin America. His expertise in policy, regulatory frameworks, crisis management and stakeholder engagement – including responses to major events like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and avian influenza outbreaks – further underscores his distinguished career in agricultural leadership.
- Michael Cano – College of Arts and Sciences (Fine Arts and Humanities)
A retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and former leader of the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, Cano performed with the United States Army Band known as “Pershing’s Own” for three decades. Memorable engagements include the 2013 presidential inaugural parade and playing “Taps” more than 15,000 times during his career. Now back in Las Cruces, he continues his passion for music as an educational consultant for White’s Music Box.
- Dawn M. Gelino, Ph.D. – College of Arts and Sciences (Sciences and Social Sciences)
Program manager for NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Gelino is a pioneer in astrophysics leadership. She has overseen national research collaborations, fellowships and workshops, and played a vital role in shaping NASA’s search for Earth-like planets. Her work contributes to advancing scientific understanding of our universe and the potential for life beyond Earth.
- Joe Christian – College of Business
After 39 years with Nusenda Credit Union, most recently as president and CEO, Christian retired in 2025. A member of NMSU’s College of Business Advisory Council, he played a key role in strengthening Nusenda’s partnership with NMSU, the College of Business and Arrowhead Center. Under his leadership, Nusenda committed $3 million over 10 years to launch two major initiatives: the Nusenda FinTech Lab at Arrowhead Center and the Nusenda Center for Financial Capability at the Student Success Center.
- Frank A. Kozeliski, P.E. – College of Engineering
Kozeliski is a civil engineer and internationally recognized authority on concrete. He has delivered more than 150 professional presentations across 30 states and nine countries. As co-owner of Gallup Sand and Gravel Co., he championed innovation and sustainability in concrete throughout the Southwest. A proud patriarch of four generations of Aggies, he continues to mentor aspiring engineers and serve as a trusted advisor in materials science.
- Aisha Jones, DNP – College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
A dual-certified nurse practitioner, Jones has dedicated her career to advanced care, psychiatric services and community health leadership. She has chaired numerous clinical committees and earned multiple awards for excellence in healthcare. In 2023, she received the University of New Mexico’s Distinguished Alumni Award for her impact on healthcare in New Mexico.
The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, November 7, at the Las Cruces Convention Center as part of NMSU’s Homecoming weekend. Registration for the awards dinner opens this fall; updates are available at alwaysanaggie.org/alumni/awards/. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards. To submit a candidate, visit alwaysanaggie.org/alumni/da-award-nomination/.