Monica Torres Chancellor of NMSU System Community Colleges | nmsu.edu
Monica Torres Chancellor of NMSU System Community Colleges | nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University's Aggies Without Limits (AWL) students, alongside members of the Pueblo of Tortugas, recently completed a project that involved installing a 900-foot waterline, planting 27 new trees, and fertilizing and grooming five older trees near a community baseball field. This effort, which concluded in late February, is one of four community-focused projects in Doña Ana County funded by State Senator William Soules in 2024 and 2025.
The Pueblo of Tortugas, a self-reliant community located near Las Cruces, is unique as it does not receive state or federal funding. Instead, the community finances its activities through events such as enchilada dinners and the annual Tortugas Pueblo Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which integrates Native traditions with Catholic influences.
“Giving back is the whole mission of Aggies Without Limits,” Civil Engineering student Taylor Aragon stated, highlighting the group's decision-making process for project selection. Tortugas Capitan de la Guerra Rudy Nevarez emphasized the collaborative nature of the planning stages stating, “Everyone puts in effort; we utilize all and work together.” Chemical Engineering major Estefania Sepulveda reflected on the project saying, “It changes your perspective on life.”
Emeritus Professor Kenny Stevens, founder of AWL, noted the significant contributions of project managers and students Taylor Aragon and Estefania Sepulveda, praising their dedication with more than 100 hours invested in the project.
Professor Cynthia Bejarano, who facilitated connections between AWL and the La Union and Tortugas communities, expressed gratitude for their efforts. “These projects are symbolic of NMSU’s efforts to give back to their neighbors,” she said. Bejarano, who works with the College Assistance Migrant Program, noted the involvement of engineering majors in these community service initiatives.
For further details on Pueblo of Tortugas, visit their website. Information about Aggies Without Limits can be found on their official page.
Alerts Sign-up