Spring is always a time of excitement and hope at NMSU as we congratulate our latest graduates and prepare for the new cohort of students who will join us this fall.

This year, spring brings with it a renewed attention to the creation of NMSU’s new strategic vision, which continues to come more clearly into focus as we engage our internal constituents more carefully. The process began in fall 2025 with numerous town halls and forums and was paused during the winter when we turned our attention to the critically important engagement with the legislative session — engagement that secured millions of dollars in needed funding to NMSU for exciting new projects that advance our land-grant mission. 

While there remain some decisions to be made when it comes to our measures of success, we have already seen some pillars of the university’s strategic direction begin to emerge, including student success and research growth, community partnerships and town-and-gown relationships. I would love to hear from you  — our alumni, generous donors and friends — as to your thoughts on how best to set up our university for success. 

Thank you for staying connected with our Aggie family!

Sincerely,

Valerio Ferme, Ph.D.
NMSU President

Research is at the heart of how universities advance knowledge, prepare students and address the complex challenges facing our world. Against this backdrop, NMSU’s R1 research designation marks a defining moment in our history. It reflects the strength of our faculty, the ambition of our students and the steadfast support of our alumni and partners. 

What does R1 mean for the Aggie experience? It means more opportunities for students to engage in hands-on discovery alongside faculty shaping their disciplines, and more cutting-edge facilities and collaborations that prepare graduates to succeed in rapidly evolving industries. It also means more reasons for top scholars and top employers to look to NMSU first.

Institutions earn an R1 designation by demonstrating high levels of research activity, including investing more than $50 million annually in research and development and awarding at least 70 research doctorates each year. In 2024, NMSU exceeded these benchmarks significantly, reporting $141 million in research expenditures.

In this issue of Panorama, you’ll see how this momentum shapes our campus, from innovative research and modernized learning spaces to alumni whose accomplishments amplify the Aggie name.

Through your gifts to the Foundation, philanthropic investments turn possibilities into progress, expanding research, attracting top faculty and creating transformational opportunities for students. As our reputation grows, so does the strength of the Aggie network. 

Together, we’re advancing discovery, opening doors for students and shaping a future defined by opportunity, impact and pride in what it means to be an Aggie.

With gratitude and pride,

Sylvia Y. Acosta, Ph.D. ’10
CEO, NMSU Foundation