EQUITY
"Recognizing diverse needs for fair opportunities."

INCLUSION
"YOU BELONG, and your individual voice is needed and valued."

DIVERSITY
"We each bring our own uniqueness to the table."


MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

 

Picture of Teresa Maria Linda Scholz, Vice President, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity The image portrays a smiling person with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing rectangular glasses with thin, dark frames. She is dressed in a dark magenta blazer over a white top. Around her neck, she wears a silver necklace with a pendant that appears to be a stylized number eight or an infinity symbol. The background is softly blurred and indistinct, focusing attention on her. The lighting is bright and natural, providing a clear and well-lit image of her face and attire.

One goal of NMSU’s new Office for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity is to explore and re-define the university’s HSI and MSI mission in action, and to better understand the climate issues faced by not only the students of this institution, but also its educators, workforce, and the communities that are connected to and served by NMSU. This work will also inform the development of NMSU’s first strategic diversity plan. Furthermore, this goal must encompass a focus on intersectionality, or the overlapping and interconnected ways in which race, gender, class, and myriad other social identities relate to one another.

“Servingness” and best supporting NMSU students and understanding the assets they bring to the NMSU system is not limited to this office and the programs it comprises; if we are to be successful in centering servingness at NMSU, it must be the charge and responsibility of everyone in our university community. We’re listening and working to fully understand what NMSU’s climate is now, so that we can continue to grow in ways that enrich the lives of all of our students and our entire community.

Saludos and warm regards,

Teresa Maria Linda Scholz
Vice President, Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity

 

Read More    EID GOAL-6

WELCOMING OUR NEW ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT


Image of Mariana Ortega, Assistant Vice President of Office of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity The image is a professional portrait of a person with long, curly dark hair smiling at the camera. She is dressed in a light beige blazer over a white shirt with black vertical stripes. The background is plain and fades from dark gray at the top to a lighter gray towards the bottom. She wears a simple gold necklace with a cross pendant.

Mariana Ortega

Mariana Ortega comes to NMSU from the University of Illinois, where she held the position of Director for La Casa Cultural Latina. Under her current leadership at La Casa, her team expanded, created, and implemented several signature programs, such as the Black & Latinx Summit, the Richard Chavez Ambassador program, IlliNiños, We RISE, C-Cube, expanded on Undocumented/DACA collaborations and many more. Within her tenure as Director of La Casa, student engagement tripled, and fundraising efforts increased by 80%.

Mariana is currently a Ph.D. student in the College of Education with a focus on Human Resources and Development at the University of Illinois. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of West Florida.

Prior to her time in Illinois, Mariana worked at NMSU from 2013-2019 as an Orientation Program Specialist, New Student Registration Specialist, and Instructor. She developed an inaugural Orientation, Transition, and Retention program that served the needs of students while centering the families in developing a Spanish program. In the past 11 years, Mariana Ortega has devoted her Higher Education commitment and knowledge to recruitment, retention, transition, and serving underrepresented groups with an equity, inclusion, and diversity focus. Mariana is excited to return to Las Cruces and the Aggie community.

Welcome, Mariana Ortega! We are thrilled to have you join us as the new Assistant Vice President for Diversity Initiatives. With your extensive background in higher education and your successful leadership at La Casa Cultural Latina, we are confident you will bring invaluable insights and initiatives to our community. We look forward to working with you to foster an even more inclusive environment at NMSU.


JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION


Picture from the celebration of Juneteenth, The image shows an outdoor setting with three individuals present. The primary focus is on a woman in the foreground who is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a bright yellow T-shirt with text and a circular logo on the front. Her hair is styled in short, curly twists, and she is wearing hoop earrings. Behind her to the right, there is another person with long hair, standing sideways and wearing a red T-shirt and light blue jeans. To the left, partially in the frame, is a person with dark skin wearing a white T-shirt. The background features a grassy field and trees.
Picture from the celebration of Juneteenth, The image portrays three women standing closely together and smiling at the camera under a white canopy. The woman on the left has curly hair, is wearing a white T-shirt, khaki shorts, and holds a green cup with shaved ice. The woman in the middle has short hair, wears dark sunglasses, a red sleeveless dress with a colorful leaf pattern, and is also holding a green cup with shaved ice. The woman on the right has long braided hair, is wearing a white T-shirt with a visible logo and the word "JUNETEENTH," and is holding a green cup with a colorful drink. Behind them, there is an outdoor area with trees, a stone wall, and several people in the background.
Picture from the celebration of Juneteenth, The image portrays a man standing outdoors, speaking into a microphone with his left hand while holding a small notebook in his right hand. He wears a light-colored, short-sleeved, button-up shirt with a textured pattern. The man has short braided hair, glasses with a thick black frame, and wears a smartwatch with a yellow band on his left wrist. In the background, there is a blurred view of trees and a stone wall, with a small stand or lectern featuring a partially visible book or pamphlet with an image on its cover.

Message from Mónica F. Torres, Interim President: Today, I have been reflecting on the historical significance of Juneteenth. In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. It stated that “all persons held as slaves” … “are, and henceforward shall be free.” It wasn’t until more than two years later that the news of emancipation finally made it to African Americans in Galveston, Texas. This day, now known as Juneteenth is an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate, educate and advocate for social justice.

The truth is, the delay in word getting to Galveston about emancipation is something we see too often – genuine progress is made, but not everyone is able to benefit from that progress, at least not right away. I think about how history has shown us time and again, sometimes we lose the progress we’ve made as a society, only to have to fight for it once again.

NMSU’s own history shows the continued fighting and resilience in which African American students engaged. This was brought to light this afternoon in “Launching of a Legacy: Black Programs and Community,” an exhibit curated by NMSU alumna Lauretta King at NMSU’s Branson Library. The exhibit chronicles the 50-year history of NMSU’s Black Programs. I’m so grateful for this curated collection, as it showcases a vast array of memorabilia, files and other records from student groups within Black Programs. Importantly, it chronicles the history of Black Programs and the experience of Black students at our university.

As a Minority-serving Institution, NMSU continues to emphasize the importance of equity, inclusion and diversity. Our mission aligns with the focus of Juneteenth: continued advocacy for antiracism, justice, social mobility and service to the broader community.

As the day comes to a close, I am proud that our NMSU community is dedicated to supporting and celebrating Juneteenth. It’s a holiday that asks our communities to understand and recognize the important and complicated moment in history that ended the policy of the enslavement of African Americans. We also know that even while the policy of enslavement in the U.S. ended more than 150 years ago, we unfortunately still see incidents of racism, hate and violence. This is why remembering our history while also connecting and engaging with our communities to find support and to support one another is so very important.   

Let us honor Juneteenth. Let us celebrate all the progress we have made as a society. But let us not forget the struggles of our past and the struggles that many still experience to this day.

Picture from the celebration of Juneteenth, The image shows a woman outdoors, speaking into a microphone. She has long braided hair and is wearing a sleeveless brown top. Her right hand is raised, with her fingers splayed, as if emphasizing a point. She appears to be on the right side of the image, with her face in profile, looking to the left. On her left wrist, she wears several bracelets. Over her left arm drapes a white cloth with a printed image, possibly of a face, in red and black colors. The background features green, leafy trees and a stone wall with irregular shapes and varied shades of beige and brown.
Picture from the celebration of Juneteenth, The image portrays a casual outdoor gathering on a sunny day, possibly a picnic or community event in a park. In the foreground, three people are interacting. A woman with a headband and sunglasses, holding a plate of food, stands facing two men. The man in a navy blue polo shirt and sunglasses appears to be engaged in conversation with another man wearing a white T-shirt with a small multicolored logo on the back and a red bucket hat, who is gesturing with one hand. In the background, other people are scattered around the park, with some standing and others seated. A green canopy tent is set up to the left, alongside tables and chairs. In the mid-ground to the left, another table appears to display an informational banner with unclear text. The park is lush with green grass and has various trees and shrubbery around, with a stone wall and sidewalk in the distance. The sky above is bright and clear.
Picture from the celebration of Juneteenth, The image depicts an outdoor gathering with people interacting around a table set up on a grassy area. Two individuals, one in a light blue button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves and the other in a black T-shirt and shorts printed with "Political Justice" and a graphic design, stand engaged in conversation in the foreground. They appear to be in a casual, friendly discussion. In the background, a stone wall is visible, along with a few blue, red, and turquoise wheeled coolers staged on a concrete platform beside some recycling bins and trash cans. In the lower right corner, the back of a third participant’s head, who has dark hair tied back and headphones around their neck, is seen. A fourth person with long, wavy hair is partially visible, facing the two standing individuals. The setting appears to be a campus or community event with a relaxed and open atmosphere.


NATIONAL NEW MEXICO DAY


Image of a flyer stating "NATIONAL NEW MEXICO DAY Today we celebrate New Mexico, being New Mexican, and everything The Land of Enchantment! With cultural influences from indigenous peoples, Mexico, Spain, and much more, our state is a diverse blend of cultures, traditions, languages, cuisines, and identities. From trailblazing Buffalo Soldiers, including the first female Buffalo Soldier, to Dr. Roy Nakayama's innovative chile variations, the Black and Asian communities have a long history of invaluable contributions to our state. New Mexico is often named as a safe haven and a choice destination for LGBT+ individuals to live. From Dr. Fabian Garcia and our beloved New Mexico chiles and pecans to Tinkertown and the Balloon Fiesta, we really are proud of our amazing and diverse state.", The image is a colorful promotional poster celebrating National New Mexico Day. The top portion is yellow with a white horizontal banner across it. Inside the white banner, in bold black capital letters, it reads "NATIONAL NEW MEXICO DAY." Below the text, the background depicts a clear blue sky filled with colorful hot air balloons of various designs, including a large red balloon with heart patterns, a rainbow-striped balloon, and smaller balloons in yellow, red, and striped patterns. These balloons hover above a landscape featuring the snow-capped peaks of a mountain range, illustrated against the sky. The lower portion of the image contains text in black on a white background, detailing the celebration of New Mexico's diverse culture and history, including contributions from various communities. At the very bottom, there are five logos representing different New Mexico State University programs. From left to right, they are: the American Indian Program, Chicanx Programs, LGBT+ Programs, Black Programs, and the Asian Pacific Islander Programs.


PROGRAMS

AMERICAN INDIAN PROGRAMS

"The American Indian Program supports students in achieving post-secondary goals, providing personal and academic assistance. We connect students to resources, offer guidance, scholarships, and access to campus services. Our commitment is to nurture success through academic advising, employer connections, and a range of support services. Join us as we foster student success at NMSU."


LEARN MORE

Picture of American Indian Program

BLACK PROGRAMS

"Black Programs unites students of African-American, Caribbean, and African descent through educational, cultural, and social programs. Our mission fosters awareness and appreciation of Black history, providing a support network for academic exploration and success. We empower students with support and connections, realizing the full potential of each individual in their academic journey."


DISCOVER MORE

Picture of Black Program

LATIN AMERICAN PROGRAMS

"Latin American Programs, inclusive of all backgrounds, supports first-generation and low-income college students at NMSU. The term 'Chicano' encompasses Hispanic, Mexican-American, Latino, Puerto Rican, U.S. Cuban, etc. We specialize in guiding students through the university environment, fostering success through education, advocacy, and cultural literacy development. Latin American Programs is dedicated to promoting and empowering student success for all."


VIEW DETAILS

Picture of Latin American Programs

LGBT+ PROGRAMS

"LGBT+ Programs at NMSU fosters the wellness and success of students, faculty, and staff in their gender and sexuality expression. We offer advocacy, resources, and education, welcoming all to our inclusive facility with a computer lab, LGBT+ themed library, and lounge. Committed to meeting diverse needs, we strive to develop inclusive policies and strategies for the entire campus community, promoting diversity and inclusion at NMSU."


EXPLORE MORE

Picture of LGBT+ Programs

ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER PROGRAM

"Students for API Student Support at NMSU aims to establish a diversity program, addressing the lack of on-campus representation for Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The group advocates for resources, education, and community building to enhance the overall experience for this underrepresented demographic. Seeking university acknowledgment and support, they work towards providing mentorship, scholarships, and fostering an inclusive online presence. The group encourages awareness, urging the university to recognize and respond to the unique needs of API students."


SEE MORE

Picture of Asian and Pacific Islander Program

Important Dates

 

June 14
Deadline for June 14th Crimson Connection Event Forms-Time, Date, and Location || Black Student Association-Juneteenth: Emancipation Celebration
June 15
Black Programs/NAACP Juneteenth Gospel Showcase || NAACP Juneteenth Banquet
June 19
Launching of a Legacy: Black Programs and Community at NMSU


TESTIMONIALS OF STUDENTS

 

Picture of Student Amanda Esparza sharing her testimonial, The image showcases a person standing outdoors on a sunny day. The individual has long, curly brown hair and is wearing black-rimmed glasses and a black dress with fluttery sleeves. They are adorned with multiple cords and two stoles. The stoles are white with gold trim and feature embroidered designs. The person is smiling and standing with their hands clasped together. The background shows a green landscape with trees and a bit of a blue vehicle in the far left corner, partially out of frame. The lighting suggests it is either early morning or late afternoon.
I'm absolutely floored by the level of support the faculty have put into this program. I can't wait to put my degree to use and change the world!
Amanda Esparza — Biophysics Graduate, Class of 2023

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES AND RECOGNITION



We invite you to learn more about our department.

Programs About Us