New Mexico State University (NMSU) recently bestowed the "A" Mountain Staff Award upon academic adviser, Victoria Bañuelos, during the NMSU Employee Appreciation Picnic. In addition to her role as an academic adviser for physical sciences and engineering majors at NMSU, Bañuelos also holds positions as a pre-health professions adviser, director of the Osteopathic Medicine Pathway Program and staff adviser for the NMSU National Society of Collegiate Scholars student chapter.
The award aims to recognize staff members who epitomize the university's core values encompassing leadership, excellence, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. This information was confirmed in a press release by NMSU.
Bañuelos has been associated with NMSU since 2008 when she completed her undergraduate studies there earning a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Furthering her educational qualifications from the same institution in 2017, she acquired a Master's degree in Educational Administration. Presently serving as a voting member on the NMSU Employee Council is another feather in Bañuelos' cap.
"I was actually very surprised when I saw the email notifying me that I would be receiving the award", said Bañuelos. She further expressed how fulfilling it is to assist students succeed despite advisement often being an underappreciated job role. After devoting 15 years to NMSU and realizing that both nomination and selection for this acknowledgement were driven by peer recognition affirmed that her contributions make a difference.
Marissa Fowler, CAASS associate director lauded Banuelos saying “The CAASS team is so proud to have Vicky acknowledged for her years of support to NMSU students and her leadership within the advising community." Fowler further spoke highly about Banuelo’s dedication towards helping students continue their education journey until graduation. She mentioned how Banuelos' depth of knowledge and willingness to share it had earned her the nickname 'Vicky-pedia', making her an invaluable asset in their collective endeavor to support students.
