New Mexico State University’s New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation will host its annual statewide student research conference from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Corbett Center Student Union.
“The conference focuses on providing the motivation and skills for students to set and achieve personal, academic and professional goals,” said Paola Bandini, NM AMP director and civil engineering professor. “It provides students the opportunity to meet and network with other students and to meet and learn from successful role models.”
The event brings together students, faculty and staff from the seven New Mexico public colleges and universities that make up the alliance, including NMSU, University of New Mexico, Eastern New Mexico University, Highlands University, Northern New Mexico College, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and Western New Mexico University. The conference will showcase research poster presentations from more than 40 undergraduate students representing NM AMP partner institutions.
This year’s program will include welcome remarks from NMSU President Valerio Ferme and interim Provost Lakshmi Reddi, followed by a keynote presentation from Marcy Litvak, NM AMP co-principal investigator.
Conference workshops will offer hands-on learning and professional development opportunities. Sessions include “Communicating Your Science” by Debbie Lee, senior program manager at UNM’s Accelerating Resilience Innovations in Drylands Institute; “Immersive Learning at NMSU: Virtual Reality and Bodyswaps in Action” by Melinda Cuilty, NMSU enterprise instructional technology administrator; and “Cross Over Between Fundamental Research and STEAM Engagement” by Curtis O’Malley, mechanical engineering associate professor at New Mexico Tech. Faculty will also participate in a panel discussion moderated by Cecilia Contreras, NM AMP associate director.
During the lunch session, New Mexico Rep. Nathan P. Small will deliver a keynote address about education and opportunities in the state. U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez will also speak about the importance of higher education in improving the lives of New Mexicans. The conference will conclude with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding undergraduate and community college poster presentations, as well as mentor and institutional coordinator awards.
“The program provides undergraduate research opportunities in STEM and professional development to university and community college students across the state,” Bandini said. “The goal is to increase the number of students who complete high quality STEM baccalaureate degrees and to prepare undergraduate students to enter the STEM workforce and or pursue graduate education.”
Founded 33 years ago, NM AMP is a statewide alliance of higher education institutions led by NMSU. Through 2024, NM AMP has served 9,258 students with direct support and 3,456 students with indirect support, reaching a total of 12,714 students across New Mexico.
For more information about the conference, visit https://nmampconf.nmsu.edu.