Dear colleagues,

Groups of new students walking on campus for their orientations remind me that fall is just around the corner. Students are the reason we are all here. We have this wonderful opportunity to work toward their success. I see faces filled with hope and enthusiasm, and these are the future leaders of tomorrow.

Last week, NMSU hosted a remarkable event, the “Strategic Water Supply: State of the Science Symposium,” in collaboration with the New Mexico Environment Department, New Mexico Tech, and the University of New Mexico. I congratulate Dr. Pei Xu and her team of researchers for their leadership in advancing technologies for produced water and the high-recovery of brackish groundwater within the State of New Mexico.

As we approach the beginning of a new fiscal year on July 1 and a new academic year on August 21, our support services will have to handle a high volume of hires, ready classroom facilities, and other infrastructure needs. Ms. Gabriela Cisneros has been assisting our academic units with special needs and issues that require extra attention. Please continue to work with her if you feel things are not progressing. Utilizing effective communication methods, such as phone calls over emails, can notably expedite our operations.

Common questions often raised include: Why is it taking so long? Whom should I contact for assistance? What do I need to do to get this through the system? Can I do this? Why do I need to provide this information?

When focusing on operational efficiencies, some important themes are evolving:

• Communication: Perhaps a quick phone call or a meeting is warranted instead of lengthy email exchanges.
• Follow-up: We should provide feedback to the faculty, staff, or student who initiated the inquiry or process, especially if the task requires more time than they might have expected.
• Follow-through: We should ensure the task is completed without assuming it will be done automatically.
• Prompt responses: It is evident that at times we are taking excessive amounts of time on even simple tasks. Prompt responses are essential.

Effective communication is crucial for our success as a university. It helps build strong relationships, enhances learning, facilitates collaboration, and resolves misunderstandings. Clear, open, and respectful communication is what creates a more inclusive, innovative, and supportive environment. We are NMSU.

Lakshmi N. Reddi
Interim Provost
New Mexico State University