In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, New Mexico State University will host NMSU Leads: Celebratory Symposium, Empowering Student Success at Hispanic-Serving Institutions through Regional and National Programs, which will feature NMSU’s leadership of programs that have cultivated undergraduate student achievement at HSIs in New Mexico and the country.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 at Domenici Hall, Room 102, and is free and open to the NMSU campus and local community.
“As one of the nation’s first Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education, NMSU has a rich tradition of supporting student success through externally funded programs with impact at the regional and national level,” said Elba Serrano, Regents professor and principal investigator for the National Science Foundation HSI National STEM Education Resource Hub at NMSU.
“With grant awards that total over $80 million, these cross-college programs have furthered degree completion by over 15,000 students and the academic journeys of 1000s of faculty and staff who have served as program mentors, trainers and research advisors,” Serrano said. “Speakers will present program strategies that recruit, retain and graduate students, with an emphasis on STEM fields.”
The symposium will begin at 11 a.m. with College of Arts and Sciences Dean Enrico Pontelli moderating the first session with speakers Jeanne Garland, program director for the New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation; Martha Desmond, Regents professor and principal investigator for the Natural Resources Career Track Program; and Tony Marin, assistant vice president for Student Affairs who will discuss TRIO programs. Lunch will be held at noon, and to register for the meal, email dmgibbs@nmsu.edu.
At 1 p.m., College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Dean Rolando A. Flores Galarza will moderate a session with speakers Martha Estrada, program director for the College Assistance Migrant Program, along with Marin representing TRIO programs and Serrano representing the NSF HSI National STEM Education Resource Hub. The symposium concludes with a reception at 2 p.m.
The event is sponsored by NMSU’s Office for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. For more information email vpeid@nmsu.edu or hsihub-admin@nmsu.edu.