Dear colleagues,

New Mexico State University's recognition as an R1 research institution is a historic milestone. This designation, granted to a select group of top-tier research universities in the United States, is a testament to our faculty excellence, and to our commitment to addressing local and global challenges.

Achieving R1 status is not the end of our journey, it is just the beginning. With this distinction comes the responsibility to be strategic in managing resources and fostering collaboration. As a university, we must make deliberate, informed decisions that continue to expand our research enterprise. Our faculty and staff must be supported in their pursuits of innovation and discovery. Maintaining and building upon our R1 designation requires collective efforts to ensure we remain forward-thinking, data-informed, and dedicated to shaping the future of our institution and the communities we serve.

Excellence in research does not come at the expense of our mission’s other core components – teaching and service. In fact, our strong research focus enhances learning at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, while our R1 designation helps attract top-tier students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scholars. Likewise, our service efforts through outreach and community engagement are strengthened by our research expertise, such as the challenges faced by our communities shape our research priorities. In other words, achieving R1 status not only reflects our research excellence but also reinforces our commitment to teaching and service – integral components of our mission – while further elevating our dedication to these areas.

Consider these examples of outreach and community engagement from a few of our colleges. The latest Impact Report from the College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation highlights numerous programs that have supported the local community, including one that provided over 1,400 hours of mental health services and another that has reached 5,000 youth through its “Youth on the Move” program to promote physical activity.

The College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences extends its impact through practical, research-based knowledge and programs that improve the quality of life for New Mexicans. With staff presence in 33 counties and many tribal areas across the state, ACES collaborates with over 1,000 organizations, state and federal agencies, and a network of approximately 10,000 volunteers. ACES’s Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems is an example of the synergy between research and outreach. CESFAS brings together interdisciplinary researchers from animal, plant, food, and social sciences in collaboration with industry and community stakeholders to generate new knowledge, technologies, and opportunities for New Mexico.

I sincerely thank our staff, faculty, department heads, deans, and our vice president for research, Luis Cifuentes, and his team for their vision and contributions toward achieving our R1 designation. Every one of us on campus has an important role in the overall fulfillment of our mission of the university. We are NMSU.

Lakshmi N. Reddi
Interim Provost
New Mexico State University