New Mexico State University

What is the history of New Mexico State University-Main Campus?

New Mexico State University-Main Campus, a public, land-grant, research university, was founded in 1888 as Las Cruces College, the first institution of higher learning in New Mexico. The college was re-established as an agricultural and mechanical engineering institution in 1889 after receiving a federal land-grant for an agricultural experiment station. Initially focused on agriculture, the curriculum expanded to include engineering, home economics, and liberal arts. In 1898, it was designated a land-grant college and renamed New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The college continued to grow, and in 1960, it received its present name, New Mexico State University.

Today, New Mexico State University-Main Campus offers a wide range of programs and awards associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through its main campus and four community colleges. The university is renowned for its courses in animation and game design, as well as animal sciences and conservation. It is the only institution in the state to offer a degree in professional golf management.

New Mexico State University-Main Campus is known as a Hispanic-serving institution, with a student population that is 45 per cent Hispanic. The university has a progressive approach towards diversity and first admitted an African-American woman to its student body in 1928, when many other universities in the US were several years away from doing the same.

The university has four campuses, a satellite learning center in Albuquerque, cooperative extension offices located in each of New Mexico's 33 counties, and 12 agriculture research and science centers. Distance education programs give students maximum flexibility. The Cooperative Extension Service provides practical, research-based knowledge throughout New Mexico and beyond, delivering 4-H programs, conducting trainings, and sharing research-based information about livestock, nutrition, horticulture, and many other topics.

New Mexico State University-Main Campus is classified as having "high research activity" among doctoral universities and is particularly noted for its graduate programs in education, engineering, business, and nursing. The university is the chief space grant college in New Mexico and leads one of 52 national consortia dedicated to space.

The main 900-acre campus is located in the Mesilla Valley, close to major geographical landmarks such as the Organ Mountains and the White Sands National Monument, the world's largest dune field. The university is home to the first Honors College in New Mexico and is a NASA Space-Grant College.

Five of the university's buildings were designed by the pioneering southwestern architect, Henry C Trost, in the early part of the 20th Century.

What are the faculties and departments at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?

New Mexico State University-Main Campus provides a wide array of faculties and departments for students to explore. The institution comprises several colleges and schools, such as the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, and the College of Health and Social Services. Additionally, the university features a Graduate School and an Honors College.

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences offers programs in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and environmental sciences. Students interested in arts, humanities, and sciences can find relevant programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Business provides programs in accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing, while the College of Education focuses on education and counseling programs. The College of Engineering offers programs in engineering and computer science, and the College of Health and Social Services provides programs in nursing, public health, social work, and communication disorders.

At New Mexico State University-Main Campus, students have the opportunity to pursue over 80 different bachelor's degrees, including accounting, animal science, biology, community health, education, engineering, English, horticulture, management, music, philosophy, range land resources, soil science, theater arts, and wildlife science. Additionally, the university offers more than 50 master's degrees in areas such as agriculture, anthropology, education, English, criminal justice, agronomy, geology, engineering, astronomy, and family and consumer studies, among others.

Besides the faculties and departments, New Mexico State University-Main Campus also houses several research centers and institutes, including the Arrowhead Center, the Chile Pepper Institute, and the Southwest Institute for Health Disparities Research. These centers and institutes offer students the chance to engage in research and gain hands-on experience in their chosen field of study.

What is the location of New Mexico State University-Main Campus?

New Mexico State University-Main Campus is situated in the city of Las Cruces, in the western region of the United States. The campus encompasses 900 acres and is surrounded by a desert landscape and greenhouses, providing a unique environment for students. It is conveniently located adjacent to Interstate 25 and bordered by Interstate 10, the primary east-west interstate highway across the southern part of the country. This makes it easily accessible for students traveling from various parts of the U.S. and abroad.

The university attracts over 14,000 students from across the nation and 89 foreign countries, making it a diverse and vibrant community.

What is the mission and vision of New Mexico State University-Main Campus?

New Mexico State University-Main Campus is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of the state through a wide range of educational, research, extension, and outreach programs. The university's mission is to provide accessible and affordable education to a diverse student population, preparing them for success in their chosen careers. Its vision is to become a premier research institution, recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and outreach.

As a comprehensive research, land-grant university, New Mexico State University-Main Campus excels in various fields, offering over 180 degree programs. These programs include 28 doctoral, 58 master's, and 96 baccalaureate degrees. The university is particularly renowned for its graduate programs in education, engineering, business, and nursing. It is classified as having "high research activity" among doctoral universities.

New Mexico State University-Main Campus is committed to fostering learning, inquiry, diversity, and inclusion, as well as social mobility and service to the broader community. The university aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. It also places great importance on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing the value of a diverse student body, faculty, and staff, and striving to create a welcoming environment for all.

As a NASA Space-Grant College, New Mexico State University-Main Campus leads one of 52 national consortia dedicated to space. Additionally, the university's Cooperative Extension Service provides practical, research-based knowledge throughout New Mexico and beyond. Extension staff, located in all 33 counties and tribal offices, deliver 4-H programs, conduct trainings, and share research-based information about livestock, nutrition, horticulture, and many other topics.

What is the accreditation of New Mexico State University-Main Campus?

New Mexico State University-Main Campus holds regional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. This accreditation ensures that the university's programs adhere to the rigorous standards set by the accrediting agencies, providing students with a quality education. Furthermore, the university has obtained specialized accreditations for specific programs, including dietetics, nursing, counseling psychology, and engineering. These specialized accreditations demonstrate that the university's programs in these fields have undergone a thorough evaluation process to ensure their quality and effectiveness in preparing students for their future careers. Additionally, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Education has accredited the university's programs in nutrition and dietetics, further emphasizing the institution's commitment to providing high-quality education in these areas.