Dear Colleagues,

I urge the campus community to subscribe to NMSU Hotline and keep track of events and timelines. This has become a well-organized mode of communication, and there is no need to use these Monday messages to duplicate the Hotline stories or events.

I was briefed on our budget last week. Faculty hires and start-up funding remain very high priorities. I addressed this during our leadership meeting and committed to collaborating with the team to prioritize our needs accordingly. Recognizing the necessarily for a long-term solution to address start-up requirements, we've initiated discussions on potential strategies. Before formalizing any plans for implementation, I intended to present these ideas to stakeholders for their input and consideration.

One of the most rewarding aspects of leading academic affairs at NMSU is the opportunity to witness the accomplishments across various disciplines. Last week, I had the privilege of being part of the committee reviewing the Conference USA Faculty Award nominees. I was impressed by the remarkable achievements showcased in their CVs. Congratulation to the nominees from each college.

Dr. Randall has been selected as NMSU's nominee and will represent NMSU in competition with nominees from the other C-USA Universities. Congratulations once again to all the nominees.

Furthermore, I had the privilege of attending the ACES Open House last Saturday, where I was thoroughly impressed by the breadth of research and educational initiatives on display. From digital agriculture to engaging Native American students through Indian Resources Development, the event highlighted the invaluable contributions of our faculty and students. It was evident that our university plays a pivotal role in understanding and serving the interconnected communities at the border. As the Honorable Mauricio Ibarra Ponce de Leon (Consul General de Mexico) noted during the inauguration of the Chihuahua Alumni Club at the Chihuahua Day Luncheon, NMSU is uniquely positioned to educate others about the intricacies of border communities and resources.

We take pride in being "Aggies Without Limits" and in our commitment to serving communities both near and far. We are the ones they look to for expertise on borderlands and ethnic studies. We are NMSU.