SW New Mexico News

Lori Keleher, a philosophy professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU), has been part of the William Conroy Honors College for nearly 17 years. Recently appointed as the college's fellowship program director, Keleher has a long-standing connection with the institution, having been a student there herself.

Keleher obtained her bachelor's degree in philosophy from NMSU in 1997. She furthered her education with a master's degree from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Her career at NMSU began in 2008 when she joined the faculty.

In her role as director of the Fellowship Office, Keleher assists undergraduate students across various majors in applying for prestigious fellowships like Fulbright Scholars, the Payne Fellowship, and the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship. These opportunities often involve studying abroad. She helps students identify fellowships that align with their research and career goals, aids in writing personal essays, fosters mentoring relationships with faculty members, and supports them through recommendation letter requests and application processes.

"The fellowship opportunities we target are excellent resume builders that set any applicant apart from other students graduating with high GPAs and strong letters of recommendations," said Keleher. "They are also transformative experiences that forever enrich students’ lives." Born and raised in New Mexico, she added, "As a New Mexican and an NMSU alumna, I am grateful to work with our students as they apply for these amazing opportunities. It is my privilege to introduce our best students to the world."

The Honors College provides a one-credit class on Wednesdays from 3 to 4:15 p.m., aimed at highly motivated students interested in pursuing fellowships. The course numbers are HRNS 2111 or HRNS 315. Additional information about the Honors College Fellowship Office can be found at https://honors.nmsu.edu/scholarships/index.html.