College of Engineering Surpasses Research Milestones, Prepares for New Era at NMSU

As the Fall 2025 semester begins, the College of Engineering (COE) at New Mexico State University is celebrating major accomplishments and preparing for exciting new changes—welcoming both new and returning Aggies with momentum and pride.

The COE continues to lead the university in research efforts, securing nearly $28 million in research awards for Fiscal Year 2025—an all-time high for the college. Research expenditures also saw a steady climb, reaching over $20 million for the year, a nearly 7% increase from FY24. Notably, these figures exceed the college’s original 2027 targets, which aimed for $26 million in new funding and $20 million in expenditures.

“These accomplishments are the result of the collective efforts of our department heads, faculty, staff, and the outstanding leadership of the Office of Engineering Research,” said Dr. David Jáuregui, interim dean of the College of Engineering. “I’m sincerely grateful for their hard work and dedication.”

Facility improvements are also on the rise. The demolition of the aging Thomas and Brown Hall is nearly complete, making way for new construction, including the New Mexico Mutual Metal Additive Manufacturing Center. These projects mark a significant investment in the future of engineering education at NMSU, creating state-of-the-art environments for hands-on and innovative learning experiences.

Beyond research and infrastructure, the college continues to shine through its students and programs. Recent highlights include:

• National Recognition in Food Innovation: Engineering and agriculture students earned first place and the Platinum Dairy Innovator Award at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting, impressing judges with their Latino-inspired snack pack creations in the Dairy Management Inc. New Product Contest.
• CREW Program Launches Careers in National Security: Zachary Donnelly, a student whose internship journey began with a single email, found his path through the Classified Ready Employee Workforce (CREW) program—an initiative led by the Physical Science Laboratory to prepare students for classified work supporting national security missions.
• Inspiration from NASA Veteran: NMSU alumnus Ron Williams, a former NASA contract manager, reflected on his career journey that began with a dream and a degree from NMSU. His story is a powerful reminder of how engineering education opens doors to space and beyond.
• Ph.D. Candidate Earns International Recognition: Hengameh Mirhajianmoghadam, a Ph.D. candidate in the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was selected to present her research at the prestigious IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Control.
• Building New Mexico’s Security Workforce: NMSU is helping strengthen the state’s national lab talent pipeline through the Plutonium Workforce Development Initiative, training students across disciplines to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in national security.
• Environmental Innovation Takes the Spotlight: The Electric Company Charitable Foundation and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium sponsored the WERC Environmental Design Contest at the Diamond level, helping empower future engineers to tackle real-world environmental challenges.

In addition to engineering-specific achievements, the broader NMSU community is also seeing growth and engagement. The fourth annual Gratitude Walk/Run, hosted by the Marketing and Communications department, is set for September 13 and welcomes participants of all ages to take part in a 5K or 1-mile fun run. Meanwhile, major facility upgrades are in motion with funding now approved for the reconstruction of the beloved Aggie Alumni Pond and critical renovations to the Aquatics Center.

As campus prepares to come alive with students once again, the College of Engineering stands at the forefront of innovation, leadership, and opportunity.

Go Aggies!