New Mexico State University’s Aggie Launch Pad initiative, which launched a year ago, is continuing for the 2022-2023 academic year. The program was created to provide first-time freshmen at NMSU’s Las Cruces campus with digital literacy workshops and access to technology to help aid in student success.
This year, first-time freshmen have the option of choosing an Apple MacBook or Dell Inspiron laptop, and distribution begins Monday, Aug. 15 at the NMSU bookstore.
“College students need more than a smartphone to succeed in college,” said Renay Scott, vice president for Student Success at NMSU. “They need a computer dedicated to them that can handle the increasingly complex software used in higher education. We know this is a challenge for many students because nearly half of them qualify for grants that are available only to lower-income families. With the Aggie Launch Pad initiative, we are providing a computer that should serve them throughout their entire time at NMSU.”
To qualify for an Aggie Launch Pad laptop, first-time freshmen must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours on the Las Cruces campus or are students with dual or AP credits who come to NMSU directly from high school. Students were able to select a device as part of Aggie Welcome Orientation and can utilize the laptops throughout their academic journey at NMSU.
Digital student success workshops and a guide to NMSU platforms, software and websites also are a part of the Aggie Launch Pad initiative. The purpose of providing both devices and training is to help students improve on their time management and notetaking skills; set and track health and wellness goals; and learn and access valuable digital content.
The deadline for students to select a laptop is 9:59 p.m. Sept. 9. More information is available at https://launchpad.nmsu.edu/.
Additionally, NMSU non-freshmen will have an opportunity to purchase an Apple or Dell laptop using their student financial aid awards. The NMSU bookstore has created payment structures, through student charge accounts online, to allow all NMSU students to take advantage of the same products delivered to freshmen as part of the program.
The Aggie Launch Pad initiative directly supports Goal 1 of NMSU LEADS 2025, the university’s strategic plan. That goal is designed to enhance student success and social mobility at NMSU through a commitment to learning, degree completion and career attainment.
For more information, visit https://launchpad.nmsu.edu or call Aggie One-Stop at 575-646-6678.
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New Mexico State University’s Aggie Launch Pad initiative provides first-time freshmen at NMSU’s Las Cruces campus with digital literacy workshops and access to technology to help aid in student success. NMSU students picked up devices at the NMSU bookstore in August 2021 following the launch of the Aggie Launch Pad initiative. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)