Great things are happening at NMSU. I’m delighted to report we’re seeing strong enrollment numbers across the university system for the second year in a row. New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship has helped tremendously on this front, covering up to 100% of tuition for those who graduate from a New Mexico high school. This fall, we saw gains of nearly 3% over our fall 2022 numbers. Las Cruces campus enrollment surpassed its pre-pandemic fall 2019 level by nearly 3.5%. NMSU Global, the university’s fully online campus, now has more than 2,100 students, which is a 32.8% increase from fall 2022. Each of NMSU’s community colleges also saw enrollment increases. This success is thanks to the hard work of many of our university employees, and I thank everyone for their efforts.

In other news, I’m happy to welcome Sylvia Acosta Ph.D. ’10 back to campus as the Foundation’s new CEO. She’s familiar with our mission and our campus having previously worked at NMSU as well as earning her doctorate here. She will help us strengthen our fundraising efforts, reach new alumni and supporters and bring even greater distinction to our top-tier university.

Additionally, the search for NMSU’s next president continues. A final selection by the Board of Regents is expected in February 2024, with a start date for the new leader to occur before the fall 2024 semester. More information about the search can be found at nmsu.edu/president-search. 

Go Aggies!

Jay Gogue
Interim President

Dear fellow Aggies: As you read this, I’ve completed my first month as the new CEO of the NMSU Foundation. The Aggie welcome has been warm and wonderful. Our Foundation team is raring to go. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together for NMSU students, research and programs. The possibilities are limitless.

Since this is my own homecoming, starting during 2023 Homecoming season felt right to me. I have much to give to NMSU because NMSU gave so much to me. I received my doctorate in education from NMSU in 2010 and worked for the NMSU College of Business in development and public relations for seven years.

My story is the story of many NMSU students. I am a first-generation college student; my father came to this country as a bracero and my mother was a garment worker. My parents’ dream was that I earn a college degree, and they sacrificed to give me the opportunities they never had. I worked hard to make them proud.

The true power of NMSU to change lives is told through the stories of our alumni, and sharing those stories is how we will move this university forward through philanthropy. Every story, every gift is critically important. My role, which is the best role in the world, is to bring these stories of transformation to you and to the world, harnessing that passion and bringing it to life at NMSU through generosity, engagement and opportunity.

¡Estoy feliz por regresar de nuevo y emocionada de lo que espero lograr junto con ustedes!

Sylvia Y. Acosta, Ph.D. ’10

CEO, NMSU Foundation