New Mexico State University will host the annual New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation (NM AMP) statewide student research conference on Friday, October 24, at Corbett Center Student Union. The event will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Paola Bandini, NM AMP director and civil engineering professor, said, “The conference focuses on providing the motivation and skills for students to set and achieve personal, academic and professional goals. It provides students the opportunity to meet and network with other students and to meet and learn from successful role models.”
Participants will include students, faculty, and staff from seven public colleges and universities in New Mexico that form the alliance. These institutions are New Mexico State University, University of New Mexico, Eastern New Mexico University, Highlands University, Northern New Mexico College, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and Western New Mexico University. More than 40 undergraduate students from these partner institutions will present research posters.
NMSU President Valerio Ferme and interim Provost Lakshmi Reddi will deliver welcome remarks at the start of the program. Marcy Litvak, NM AMP co-principal investigator, is scheduled as the keynote speaker.
Workshops during the conference will focus on practical learning experiences and professional development. Topics include science communication by Debbie Lee from UNM’s Accelerating Resilience Innovations in Drylands Institute; immersive learning using virtual reality by Melinda Cuilty from NMSU; and connections between fundamental research and STEAM engagement by Curtis O’Malley of New Mexico Tech. A faculty panel discussion moderated by Cecilia Contreras, NM AMP associate director, is also planned.
At lunch, New Mexico Rep. Nathan P. Small will give a keynote address about education opportunities in the state. U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is expected to speak about how higher education can improve lives in New Mexico.
An awards ceremony at the end of the conference will recognize outstanding poster presentations by undergraduates and community college students as well as mentor and institutional coordinator achievements.
Bandini said, “The program provides undergraduate research opportunities in STEM and professional development to university and community college students across the state. The goal is to increase the number of students who complete high quality STEM baccalaureate degrees and to prepare undergraduate students to enter the STEM workforce and or pursue graduate education.”
NM AMP was established 33 years ago as a statewide alliance led by NMSU. As of 2024, it has directly supported 9,258 students and indirectly supported another 3,456 across New Mexico for a total reach of 12,714 students.
More information about the conference can be found at https://nmampconf.nmsu.edu.
