The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced Rosalie Otero, a figure in honors education, has received the 2023 National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Founders Award for her significant contributions to the University Honors Program at UNM and her noteworthy involvement with NCHC. The Founders Award is a recognition of individuals pivotal to the growth and progress of NCHC and its initiatives, according to a press release by UNM.
As UNM Honors Program Director, Rosalie Otero significantly expanded the curriculum. She introduced diverse options for first-year and senior students, including research theses and service-learning projects. She also restructured the initially part-time instructor-staffed program. Systematically, she integrated full-time faculty initially as instructors and later as tenured members. According to a press release by UNM, her proactive recruitment of distinguished visiting scholars enriched students' educational experiences. From 1991 to 1998 she served as chair of the Gender and Ethnicities Committee and later as NCHC president. In these roles, she contributed to establishing the council's permanent headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska.
“It has been my privilege and joy to have been involved in honors education for over 30 years. It has given me the opportunity to work with exceptional students, remarkable and talented colleagues both in my own institution across the country, and internationally. I treasure the many friendships I have made over the years am proud delighted with achievements our alumni gratified that had small role their many accomplishments,” said Otero according to a press release by UNM.
“Rosalie Otero was a force of nature constantly advocating for our students keeping our curriculum fresh our programs constantly evolving improving meet our students' needs not only worked tirelessly expand advance impact our honors program at UNM but also was forefront many changes honors education nationally through NCHC,” said Leslie Donovan professor interim dean UNM Honors College according to a press release by UNM.
