Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | New Mexico State University
Jay Gogue, Interim President of the NMSU System | New Mexico State University
For over thirty years, the New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation (NM AMP) program has been instrumental in enhancing the educational journey of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields. Based at New Mexico State University (NMSU), NM AMP provides various opportunities, including the Undergraduate Research Scholars program and the NM AMP STEM PREP program, which engage university students in research early in their academic careers.
Jose 'Leo' Bañuelos, an alumnus who participated from 2001 to 2004 and now holds a bachelor's and doctorate in physics from NMSU, shared his experience: “NM AMP has shaped where I place my priorities. It has taught me to value the human element of science, including fostering the relationships we forge in our professional networks.”
Since its inception in 1993, NM AMP has secured nearly $28 million from the National Science Foundation. This includes a recent $2.5 million grant that will support the program until May 2029. The funding will enhance collaboration among several institutions, including NMSU, University of New Mexico, and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Programs like SCCORE and professional development workshops help community college students transition to four-year universities.
Bañuelos also expressed gratitude for his mentors: “I appreciate the head start that I got on having real research experiences... I am grateful that I got to know my mentors on a personal level.”
Jeanne Garland, NM AMP Director, highlighted the program's impact on over 9,000 students: “The goal of NM AMP for years to come is to increase the quantity and quality of underrepresented minority students who complete STEM degrees and to prepare and encourage them to pursue graduate education.”
C.J. Quintana, an engineering physics junior at NMSU who joined NM AMP in 2023, described it as a "hidden gem." He participated in an NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates program at the University of Texas at Austin during summer 2024. Reflecting on his journey, Quintana said: “There’s just no limit on how much shine that you can have in research... these opportunities outside of the classroom make an impact on your future that’s really giving me confidence.”
This article originally appeared in Panorama's fall 2024 issue.
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