New Mexico State University

Dan Arvizu, Chancellor, New Mexico State University

On May 21 of this year, Dan Arvizu, mechanical engineering alum, became chancellor at NMSU. He went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University, also in mechanical engineering, before launching a highly successful career in advanced energy research and development, materials and process sciences, and technology commercialization.

Arvizu began his career in 1973 at Bell Laboratories, and after four years transferred to Sandia National Laboratories where he spent the next 21 years, 14 years in executive roles. In 1998 he joined CH2M Hill Companies for six years, his last two years as CTO. In 2005 he was appointed the eighth director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. He retired in 2015, and is presently director emeritus.

Following retirement, he became senior adviser to the Emerson Elemental practice of Emerson Collective. He previously served as CTO and STEM adviser. Emerson Elemental’s mission is to restore and strengthen the symbiosis, humanity and nature. He also currently serves as a Precourt Institute Energy Scholar and adjunct professor at Stanford University.

Arvizu serves on a number of boards, panels and advisory committees. In 2004 he was appointed by President George W. Bush, and subsequently in 2010 reappointed by President Barack Obama (twice confirmed by the full Senate), to serve six-year terms on the National Science Board. He was twice elected as chairperson by his peers.

“This is such an exciting time for our great university,” said NMSU Board of Regents Chair Debra Hicks at the inauguration of Arvizu and President John Floros in Nov. “The future of higher education requires leaders with forward thinking, leaders who can prepare this university for the challenges we face today and in the future.”