New Mexico Sun

News from April 2024


Finding a path to a health care career

The eighth annual University of New Mexico Health Professions Symposium (HPS) 2024 recently concluded, offering a plethora of workshops for students interested in pursuing health care professions. The event saw a record-breaking attendance of 750 individuals, with a diverse range of workshops covering various health care fields.The symposium was opened by Garnett Stokes, president of UNM, Douglas Ziedonis, executive vice president of UNM Health Sciences Center, and Eve Espey, professor and chair of UNM Health Sciences Department of Ob/Gyn and Family Planning Fellowship...


Notice of Possible Quorum 04-30-2024 Citizen Police Academy

The Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board has issued a notice regarding a possible quorum on April 30, 2024, at the Citizen Police Academy in Albuquerque, NM.According to the board, "A quorum of the Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board may be in attendance at the Albuquerque Police Academy, 5412 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107, regarding the Citizen Police Academy." The advisory board clarifies that "No board business will be discussed at the Citizen Police Academy training on April 30, 2024." The training session is scheduled to commence at 6:00 p.m. on...


UNM Professor Mala Htun Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences

A University of New Mexico professor, Mala Htun, has been elected as a member of The American Academy of Arts & Sciences, joining a prestigious group that includes historical figures like Alexander Hamilton and modern-day leaders like Madeleine K. Albright. Htun expressed her excitement and gratitude, stating, “I am honored and delighted to be elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. It’s a thrill for me to earn this recognition. I’m excited to have the opportunity to engage with the Academy’s community of scientists, artists, and public intellectuals.”The...


Sandoval County Clerk's office updates website and plans voter accuracy event

The Sandoval County Clerk's Office has launched an updated website aimed at enhancing the accessibility of information to the public. The office, in a statement on April 26, 2024, invited the public to interact with the new platform and provide feedback for further improvements.


Santa Fe County Urges Residents to Participate in Broadband Survey for Improved Infrastructure

Santa Fe, NM- The Santa Fe County Economic Development Division, in collaboration with the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division and the County’s Broadband Working Group, is urging all residents to take part in a broadband survey aimed at enhancing infrastructure and ensuring reliable access to high-speed internet for all County residents.In a statement, the Santa Fe County Economic Development Division expressed their commitment to understanding the community's internet needs, stating, "We aim to understand the speed and reliability of existing connections to...


NMSU Criminal Justice Department Partners with Tulsa Police Department

The Department of Criminal Justice at New Mexico State University has announced a partnership with the Tulsa Police Department (TPD) for a student internship program. The collaboration aims to provide students with hands-on law enforcement experience while they complete the final 15 credit hours required for their bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice.Marija Dimitrijevic, a criminal justice professor and coordinator of the partnership, emphasized the benefits of the program, stating, “Being in the criminal justice program and working for the agency gives students the...


Planting for the Future

The Parks & Recreation Department (PRD) celebrated National Arbor Day 2024 at Civic Plaza with a tree planting and giveaway as part of the “Let’s Plant Albuquerque” campaign. The City aims to plant at least 100,000 trees by 2030."The trees we plant today will flourish and be enjoyed by our community for generations," said Mayor Tim Keller. "As we continue the revitalization of our Downtown, trees enhance our shared spaces, providing beauty, shade, and fresh air, creating a greener city for our families."PRD’s Forestry Division planted eight new trees at Civic Plaza,...


OPINION: Virgin Galactic Grounded: How much did MLG gamble on SPCE?

In 2021, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham stated, “How Richard Branson and I feel about Virgin Galactic successfully going into space from Spaceport America in New Mexico.” And Virgin Galactic stock hit the stratosphere.


Santa Fe County Seeks Health Policy and Planning Commission (HPPC) Members

Santa Fe, NM- The Santa Fe County Community Services Department is currently in search of dedicated volunteers to join the Health Policy and Planning Commission (HPPC). The commission, comprised of nine members, aims to bring together individuals from various backgrounds to contribute to the improvement of healthcare services within the County.According to a recent announcement, the primary focus of the HPPC is to offer counsel and suggestions to the Community Services Department and the Board of County Commissioners regarding the delivery of health care services in Santa...


NMSU Celebrates Arab American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Communities

Celebrations are currently underway at New Mexico State University to honor the Arab American, Asian American, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. The university's Asian and Pacific Islander Program (APIP) has been actively involved in commemorating these heritage months.According to Sophia Sangwanthong, director of APIP, celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of API/AAPI individuals is crucial. She stated, "It is so important to celebrate and honor the accomplishments, culture, and contributions of our API/AAPI students, faculty, and staff to...


UNM Hospital’s Critical Care Tower Showcases Local Artists’ Work

The University of New Mexico Hospital's Critical Care Tower (CCT) is set to be adorned with over 100 unique pieces of artwork, thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the state of New Mexico's public art fund. Fabián Armijo, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UNM Hospital, emphasized the significance of art in New Mexico, stating, "Art is very important to New Mexicans, from the religious art of northern New Mexico to Native American jewelry."The selection process for the artwork in the CCT was meticulous and involved a committee that carefully curated...


NMSU Researchers Contribute to Understanding Flowering Plant 'Tree of Life'

Two New Mexico State University professors, Donovan Bailey and Zachary Rogers, have played a significant role in a global scientific endeavor that has contributed to a major breakthrough in plant science. Led by the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens in London, a group of 279 researchers, including Bailey and Rogers, utilized a breakthrough DNA-sequencing toolkit to decode DNA from samples of over 9,500 species of angiosperms, which are seed plants that produce flowers.The findings of this collaborative effort have been published in the journal “Nature” in an article titled...


UNM Anderson students excel in global sales competition

UNM Anderson students Eddie Acosta, Andrew Salazar, and AJ Dille showcased their sales talent by securing second, fourth, and fifth place, respectively, in the virtual RNMKRS international role-play sales competition. The competition, which took place on April 10-11, featured over 1,000 students from 47 universities, with Acosta scoring 9,589, Salazar scoring 9,571, and Dille scoring 9,542 out of a perfect score of 10,000.Associate Professor Dimitri Kapelianis, the director of the UNM Sales and Business Development Center, expressed his pride in the students'...


NMSU to host Aggie Remembrance Day May 1

New Mexico State University has announced that it will host the annual Aggie Remembrance Day on May 1 to honor NMSU students, employees, and alumni who passed away in the preceding year. The Aggie Memorial Ceremony is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the NMSU Spiritual Center.According to Michelle Grandjean, the associate director of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs at NMSU, the university initiated a tradition two years ago to pay tribute to deceased Aggies. Grandjean stated, "Every year, a rock representing each passed student will be...


NMSU Board of Regents to convene for special, regular meetings

The New Mexico State University Board of Regents is set to convene for both a special meeting and a regular meeting in the upcoming weeks, as announced on April 25, 2024.The special meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Monday, April 29, at the Regents Room of the Educational Services Center on NMSU’s Las Cruces campus. Following this, the Board of Regents will hold a regular meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, also at the Regents Room of the Educational Services Building on the same campus.Both of these important meetings will be livestreamed for public viewing,...


Aggie Legend, ‘A’ Mountain Award recipients celebrated on NMSU Founders Day

New Mexico State University celebrated its annual Founders Day on April 24 at Traders Plaza to honor the university's history and heritage. During the event, the prestigious “A” Mountain Staff Award and the Aggie Legend accolades were bestowed upon deserving recipients.Freddie Romero, an academic adviser at the Center for Academic Advising and Student Support, was awarded the “A” Mountain Staff Award for his unwavering dedication to student success. Romero expressed his gratitude by stating, "My colleagues and I in the advising center always take a holistic approach when...


Local Residents and UNM Community Invited to Join City Nature Challenge to Protect Biodiversity

Albuquerque locals are encouraged to participate in the City Nature Challenge organized by The University of New Mexico R.H. Mallory Center for Community Geography. The challenge, which runs from April 26 to April 29, aims to engage the community in documenting urban nature and collecting data on the biodiversity of the region.According to Laurel Ladwig, ABQ Backyard Refuge Program Director and City Nature Challenge planner, the event presents an opportunity for residents to connect with the natural world. Ladwig stated, "City Nature Challenge is an NM opportunity to pay...


NMSU Graduate Students Honored by Doña Ana County Commission

Students from New Mexico State University’s Graduate School were recognized earlier this week by the Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners with a proclamation that celebrates their remarkable achievements and engagement throughout the county. The proclamation highlights the impact of graduate students at NMSU and their diverse talents, perspective, and contribution to a dynamic and inclusive society."New Mexico State University stands as a beacon of higher education statewide, fostering innovation, research and intellectual growth," as stated in the proclamation....


Rail Trail Art & Technology Exhibition Showcases Local Artists' Innovative Work

The City of Albuquerque’s Public Art Program has announced an upcoming exhibition that will showcase the innovative work of local artists in the realm of technology and art. Set to take place at Gallery One, the exhibition will feature proposals and prototypes from 10 artists that could potentially be installed along the proposed Rail Trail.According to the City of Albuquerque’s Public Art Program, the exhibition is a result of a collaboration between the City’s Department of Technology & Innovation, CNM Ingenuity’s Internet of Things (IOT) program, and a Rapid...


NMSU Art Museum Showcases Student Talent in BFA Exhibition

New Mexico State University is proud to announce the upcoming 2024 BFA Exhibition, featuring the works of six talented undergraduate students. The exhibition, titled “Truly, Lovingly, Viciously,” will be held at the Mullennix Bridge Art Gallery in Devasthali Hall from April 25 to May 11.According to assistant professor of art Motoko Furuhashi, the exhibition is a culmination of the students' dedication and hard work throughout their time at NMSU. Furuhashi stated, “The BFA Exhibition reflects everything they have done throughout these years of their degree at NMSU. They...