SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering has initiated an expansion of its Aggie Innovation Space and the establishment of the New Mexico Mutual Metal Additive Manufacturing Center. This development was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on campus.

The expansion, in partnership with New Mexico Mutual, aims to advance the university's capabilities in metal 3D printing. The Aggie Innovation Space serves as a student-managed makerspace that provides resources for creating prototypes and fostering innovation.

Key figures from the university, industry partners, faculty, and students gathered to celebrate this milestone. The project will provide enhanced resources for developing manufacturing technologies.

“This is a transformative moment for our college and for NMSU as a whole,” stated Gabe Garcia, associate dean of academics at the College of Engineering. He emphasized that the addition positions NMSU as a leader in advanced manufacturing fields.

The new center will offer industry-grade machines for applications across various sectors such as aerospace and biomedical engineering. Funding from New Mexico Mutual facilitated this project after their leadership was inspired during a 2022 visit.

“The energy and momentum within the College of Engineering during our visit were truly inspiring,” said Kellie Mixon, CEO of New Mexico Mutual. She highlighted their commitment to education and economic growth in New Mexico through investing in students' futures.

The facility promises expanded opportunities for interdisciplinary projects, collaboration with industry partners, and practical experience with modern technologies. Faculty members view it as vital for attracting talent to NMSU.

David Jáuregui, interim dean of engineering at NMSU stated: “This is an investment not just in our students but in the future of innovation in New Mexico.”

This initiative is part of ongoing infrastructure enhancements within the College of Engineering and broader developments across NMSU’s campus.

For potential partnerships with NMSU’s College of Engineering on future projects, contact Patrick Knapp at pknapp2@nmsu.edu.