New Mexico State University begins the 2026-27 academic year with a renewed focus on student success, faculty and staff excellence, organizational strength and research growth – priorities university leaders say will shape NMSU’s next chapter.
The university’s annual fall convocation on Aug. 18 brought together more than 200 Aggies in Atkinson Recital Hall, a day before classes were scheduled to begin at campuses across New Mexico. NMSU President Valerio Ferme and other university leaders addressed the gathering before welcoming new professors, recognizing newly promoted faculty and celebrating some of NMSU’s most accomplished educators.
"We are entering this academic year with a clear sense of where we want to go and an even clearer commitment to the people who make NMSU what it is," Ferme said. "Our focus on student success, faculty success, staff success and organizational success gives us a strong foundation as we build NMSU's next chapter. The coming year will be defined by stronger research, greater student achievement, and an even greater impact on New Mexico and beyond.
NMSU’s new provost, Joseph Bull, then reflected on his first month as the university’s top academic administrator and spoke about his long-term vision.
“I’m delighted to build the next chapter of NMSU together with you,” Bull said. “While we honor and appreciate the efforts that got us here, we prepare to move to the next level. The world and higher education landscape are changing. And we’ll lead, not just react. Let me be clear that our future will be collaborative and will be true to our values and will be authentic to the students we serve.”
Convocation also highlighted the faculty expertise at the center of NMSU’s academic mission, with six educators recognized for excellence in teaching, research, mentorship and service.
April Ulery of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences received the Dennis W. Darnall Faculty Achievement Award. Ulery has had a career spanning nearly three decades of teaching, research and service. Her research on salinity, soil quality and environmental soil chemistry has produced more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and secured nearly $4 million in competitive grants and contracts. She is also known for her commitment to mentoring students and making complex scientific concepts accessible.
Three faculty members – Sarah Archuleta of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, John Tapia of the Department of Engineering Technology and Surveying Engineering, and Theresa Ross of NMSU Alamogordo – received the Donald C. Roush Award for Teaching Excellence.
Archuleta, an assistant professor who teaches entry-level math courses, has dedicated her career at NMSU to helping incoming freshmen build and grow their math skills. Archuleta teaches students how to think and practice math for themselves, and how to recognize mathematical patterns and strategies on their own.
Tapia, an associate professor and coordinator for the Civil Engineering Technology Program, helps prepare students for careers in civil engineering and construction. Tapia works tirelessly to keep students engaged in his courses by using active learning strategies and creating an interactive classroom environment.
Ross, a college associate professor and director of NMSU Alamogordo’s nursing program, uses her vast experience in the nursing field to teach and mentor future health care professionals who will start their careers in New Mexico and elsewhere. Ross combines her more than 30 years as a nurse with hands-on learning and storytelling to help students master patient care skills and textbook concepts.
Two faculty members – K.T. Manis of the Department of Marketing and Kimberly Knox of the School of Social Work – received the Patricia Christmore Award for Teaching Excellence.
Manis, an assistant professor, uses active learning strategies and real-world scenarios in his MBA courses to help students apply marketing theory to everyday situations. This approach prepares students for advanced courses as they progress through the MBA program. Manis has also produced 16 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals.
Knox, an assistant professor, has taught hundreds of students how to work with families in high-stakes situations. Knox has the distinction of being the first faculty member to incorporate virtual reality simulations into her coursework, a move that has allowed students to master skills in research, intervention and practice.
This year’s honorees reflect the breadth of NMSU’s academic mission, with faculty recognized across STEM, business, social sciences, health care and community college education. They represent the faculty and staff at the center of NMSU’s next chapter, who combine academic expertise with a commitment to student success and service to New Mexico.
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Cutline: From left, Sarah Archuleta of the Department of Mathematical Sciences; Kimberly Knox of the School of Social Work; April Ulery of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences; John Tapia of the Department of Engineering Technology and Surveying Engineering; K.T. Manis of the Department of Marketing; and Theresa Ross of NMSU Alamogordo were honored at New Mexico State University’s fall convocation. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)