New Mexico Sun

Ten talented students from The University of New Mexico Department of Music recently had the opportunity to showcase their skills at the Southwestern Regional Intercollegiate Band in Kansas City. Among them were saxophone players Daniel Slencsak, Alejandro Alva, Parker Head, and Taylor Gilman. UNM band director Emily Moss expressed pride in her students' performance, stating, “Our students did an exceptional job representing UNM in this Intercollegiate Honor Band. They performed at an extremely high level and gained valuable experience.”One of the undergraduate students,...

Sierra Club applauds New Mexico's new tax incentives for clean energy

Governor Lujan Grisham has signed a new tax package aimed at benefiting New Mexicans through various climate and family-related incentives.

Albuquerque Museum Showcases "Nuclear Communities of the Southwest" Exhibition

The Albuquerque Museum presents Nuclear Communities of the Southwest on view from March 23 to September 15, 2024. The exhibition aims to shed light on the historical significance of New Mexico in the development of nuclear technologies and the impact on local communities."New Mexico has played a significant role in U.S. history with regards to the development of what is now referred to as the nuclear age," said Andrew Connors, Albuquerque Museum director.The exhibition features a variety of artifacts and art pieces that highlight the connection between New Mexico and...

NM Department of Cultural Affairs Launches Ekphrastic Poetry Contest Inspired by Artwork in its Collections

In a bid to celebrate the intersection of art and poetry, the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) has initiated a statewide ekphrastic poetry contest, drawing inspiration from artwork displayed across the state."The artwork on display throughout the Department of Cultural Affairs reminds us that beauty and inspiration are all around us," stated NMDCA Director of Communications and Marketing, Daniel Zillmann.The contest, aimed at highlighting the artistic and cultural heritage of New Mexico, features 10 selected works of art from various NMDCA divisions,...

UNM and Partners Lead Expansion of Local Journalism in New Mexico

Local journalism in New Mexico is expanding with the introduction of Press Forward New Mexico, a new chapter that aims to revitalize and support the local news ecosystem in the state. The initiative, co-led by the Thornburg Foundation and the New Mexico Local News Fund at UNM, is part of a larger $500 million effort to boost local news across the U.S.Rashad Mahmood, Executive Director of the Local News Fund, expressed optimism about the impact of Press Forward in New Mexico, stating, “Bringing Press Forward to New Mexico will be transformative to our local news...

Coalition urges action after $200k allocated for indigenous women crisis

The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) is calling for prompt and transparent measures following the allocation of $200,000 in the New Mexico State budget aimed at addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women...

NMSU, DACC Faculty Members Appointed to EPA Committees

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has appointed three faculty members from New Mexico State University and Doña Ana Community College to serve on committees aimed at improving environmental health in the U.S.-Mexico border region.Christopher Brown, a professor of geography and environmental studies at NMSU, expressed his enthusiasm for rejoining the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, stating, “I am thrilled to once again join this prestigious committee and help improve our environment around the border area.” Brown, who has studied binational water...

APD Proactive Units Seize Large Quantities of Narcotics and Firearms Following Anti-Crime Operation

APD spokesperson stated, "The following items were seized: - Stolen Sig Sauer P365 Handgun- Tan Glock 19X with a switch (full auto) and silencer- 3, 245 Fentanyl pills- 685 grams of Methamphetamine (Total of 1.51017 pounds)- Syringe loaded with meth - 38 grams of brown Heroin- 31 grams of black tar heroin- 10 grams of Cocaine- 25 grams of pink and white crack cocaine- Plastic baggies for resale of narcotics- (32) 9mm cartridges-2 magazines loaded with (17) rounds and (150) rounds 9mm- (1) 40 caliber (1) 9mm cartridge- 5 bundles of cut and packaged Suboxone strips- (1)...

Undergrad pursues passion for political science in shared-credit program

When David Lopez Amaya took his first class with Associate Professor of Political Science Loren Collingwood at The University of New Mexico, it fired his enthusiasm for political science, particularly the topic of voting rights for minorities.“Growing up in a disadvantaged, minority community, I recognized the importance of political engagement and representation as means for our voices to be heard,” said Lopez Amaya.Lopez Amaya expressed that the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the contentious political climate of the 2020 presidential election reaffirmed his...

Unexpected collaboration will give UNM administrative policies a spring cleaning

The University of New Mexico's administrative policies are undergoing a thorough review and update thanks to an unexpected collaboration between the UNM Policy Office and the School of Law Library. Sherri Thomas, associate dean of Institutional Climate and Equity at the UNM School of Law, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, "We want to make sure that anyone who reads the UNM administrative policies, regardless of their reading level, is able to understand them."The collaboration was born out of the University Policy Equity and Inclusion Lens (PEIL)...

University of New Mexico to Host 68th Annual Research Lecture on Mammalian Paleoecology

The University of New Mexico is gearing up for its 68th Annual Research Lecture scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to UNM faculty, staff, students, postdocs, and alumni, with a focus on showcasing the achievements of distinguished professor Felisa Smith.Smith, an ARL awardee and a prominent figure in the UNM Department of Biology, specializes in mammalian paleoecology and evolutionary research. Her work delves into the impacts of current and historical climatic changes as well as biodiversity loss on mammals. According to Smith, "Mammalian...

Job Opportunity at the ABQ BioPark: Camp Teacher

The ABQ BioPark is currently seeking Camp Teachers for their upcoming programs. According to the announcement, all spring break camp teachers must be available to work from April 1-5, while summer teachers must attend training in May and be available for work from the week of June 3 to July 26. The positions are open for both full-time and part-time applicants.Applicants are required to have a minimum of two years of major coursework in science, education, or a related field, along with 3-6 months of teaching experience, formal or informal, preferably in the sciences....

APD Seizes Narcotics and Firearms in Anti-Crime Operation

Officers from the Gun Violence Suppression Unit and the University Proactive Response Team recently conducted an anti-crime operation within the University Area Command, leading to a significant arrest and seizure of illegal substances and weapons. Charles Casias, 44, was the focus of the operation when officers attempted to stop him on February 23, 2024, along Amherst. Casias's attempt to evade capture resulted in a collision with another vehicle near Rio Bravo.Casias faced immediate legal consequences following the incident, as stated by authorities: "Casias was...

Alamosa Neighborhood Association Celebrates Sonny Rivera Art Installation

Albuquerque – District 3 City Councilor Klarissa Peña and the Alamosa Neighborhood Association (ANA) recently celebrated the installation of artwork created for Alamosa Park by renowned New Mexican artist Reynaldo ‘Sonny’ Rivera. The artwork, titled "Stalking Her Prey," is a 3 feet tall, bronze mountain lion, a species often seen along the Rio Grande in the area."The Alamosa Neighborhood Association has been waiting for this day to come for over a year," expressed Councilor Klarissa Peña. She further highlighted the ANA's active involvement, stating, "The community’s...

Job Opportunity at the ABQ BioPark: Teen Volunteer Facilitator

The ABQ BioPark is currently seeking individuals to fill the position of Teen Volunteer Facilitator. The role involves overseeing the BioPark Nature Guides, teen volunteers aged 14 to 18, in collaboration with BioPark staff. According to the requirements listed, applicants must have a minimum of two years of major coursework in science, education, or a related field, as well as 3-6 months of teaching experience, preferably in the sciences. All applicants are also required to pass a background check.The selected facilitators will be responsible for developing and...

UNM VPR Ellen Fisher to present 2024 State of Research

UNM Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher is set to host the 3rd annual State of Research presentation next month. The event, scheduled for Monday, March 18 at 4 p.m., will feature a Q&A session and will be followed by a reception. All members of the UNM community, including students, staff, faculty, alumni, postdocs, and community members, are encouraged to attend.Speaking about the upcoming presentation, Ellen Fisher expressed her enthusiasm for the progress made in research at UNM, stating, "It’s been a very busy and productive year for all UNM researchers –...

NMSU Extension to Host Southwest Pregnancy Check Clinic in Deming March 12-14

New Mexico State University’s Hidalgo County Cooperative Extension Service, in collaboration with other county offices, will host the Southwest Pregnancy Check Clinic in Deming, New Mexico from March 12-14. The Catron, Luna, Otero, and Sandoval County Extension offices, along with the Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, will also be providing support at the clinic.According to the announcement, the clinic will take place at the Quality Inn on March 12, followed by sessions on March 13 and 14 at Blandford Farms. Savannah Daniels from NMSU...

NMSU Foundation receives $500,000 gift from Blue Cross Blue Shield to train nurses, social workers

The New Mexico State University Foundation has received a generous donation of $500,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico. The donation includes two separate gifts, one for $300,000 to fund a professor of practice in the NMSU School of Nursing for three years, and another for $200,000 to support students studying social work or nursing.The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Professor of Practice position aims to address the need for nurses and nurse practitioners in rural counties of New Mexico. This initiative will focus on community outreach to enhance...

Staff Spotlight: Kari Bellavita, Graduate School

On March 5, 2024, New Mexico State University's Graduate School shines a light on the dedicated and accomplished Kari Bellavita, who has been an integral part of the administrative team.Bellavita's journey at NMSU began in April 2019 as a temporary customer service representative, eventually progressing to the role of senior administrative assistant. Reflecting on her career growth, Bellavita shared, "In August 2019, I was hired as a full-time customer service representative, and in March 2021, I was promoted to senior administrative assistant as admin to former Dean Luis...

Photovoltaic Company Founded by UNM Engineering Faculty Member Secures Department of Energy Funding