For 13 years, Tiffany Santos has been the curator of the Zuhl Collection in the Zuhl Museum. The collection, which falls under the College of Arts and Sciences, consists of more than 1,800 specimens of petrified wood, fossils and minerals.
As the only full-time employee of the museum, Santos is in charge of purchasing, cataloging, displaying, budgeting and student coordinating.
“When taking on this position, the Zuhl Collection had no budget,” Santos said. “I have been able to grow the budget, which has allowed me the ability to hire students and teach a museum internship class. I have also spearheaded an addition to the museum as well as a remodel.”
Santos left Las Cruces at the age of 7 but returned to attend NMSU. She received a bachelor’s degree in geology and a master’s degree in public history with a focus on museum studies. As an NMSU alumna with a passion for the museum, Santos takes pride in her role at the Zuhl Museum.
“Las Cruces has always been the location I wanted to settle,” Santos said. “My parents both graduated from NMSU, and I am an Aggie through and through.”
Since the addition and remodel, the Zuhl Museum now has three separate galleries and a new “kids' corner.” The remodel required the moving museum specimens weighing up to thousands of pounds as well as extremely fragile or rare fossils.
Her next plan is to expand an educational program at the museum. For Santos, educational outreach is a crucial part of her position.
“My favorite part of my job is hosting tours at the Zuhl Museum,” Santos said. “I love introducing youths and adults to the wonders of these world class specimens.”