Students represent NMSU at leadership conference

Two NMSU students – Brandon Larrañaga and Sunshine Tso ’22 – represented New Mexico in summer 2022 during the first-ever Western Governors’ Leadership Institute in Idaho.

The Western Governors’ Association and its philanthropic arm launched the leadership institute to recognize effective young adult leaders across the western United States and promote future development across the 22-state region.

“Being a delegate of the inaugural Western Governors’ Leadership Institute was a phenomenal privilege,” says Larrañaga, a double major in agriculture communications and journalism and media studies. “Witnessing prominent western governors and stakeholders craft bipartisan policy firsthand was a unique experience like no other. My time at WGLI will help me do my part to shape a better future for New Mexico.”

Tso, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, applauds the Western Governors’ Association for giving Native youth an opportunity to participate and build their leadership skills.

“Native youth have a unique perspective,” says Tso, a graduate student studying agricultural economics at NMSU. “If we were able to amplify their thoughts and knowledge, we could create a pathway for agents of change in tribal communities.”