With a significant emphasis on student retention and social mobility opportunities, New Mexico State University has earned improved standings in multiple national rankings.
NMSU President John Floros praises the university’s faculty and staff for focusing on student success initiatives.
“We have made significant progress, and credit should go to the tireless efforts from our faculty and staff, department heads, deans and all of our university leaders who have supported our LEADS 2025 strategic goals,” he said.
Two of NMSU’s improved rankings were Forbes’ America’s Top Colleges and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges. Following a review of its ranking systems to focus on student outcomes, Forbes ranked NMSU at 313, the highest-ranking institution in New Mexico. Additionally, NMSU has ranked as a top tier university on the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges National Universities rankings for nine of the last 10 years, and this year NMSU jumped 14 spots to 227.
“Even as we make progress on LEADS 2025 and in national rankings, we will not rest,” Floros said. “NMSU occupies a special place in higher education as a public, research, land-grant university, and a Hispanic and Minority-Serving Institution. We have much work to do to improve graduation rates and tackle the equity gap.”
Two of the student success initiatives implemented in the fall 2021 semester include the Aggie Launch Pad and Aggie Accelerate programs. Aggie Launch Pad provided 2,200 first-year students at NMSU’s Las Cruces campus with an iPad bundle and digital literacy training. Non-freshmen at NMSU have an opportunity to purchase iPad bundles using their financial aid packages.
Aggie Accelerate was created to help students adjust to NMSU’s campus with a co-curricular and residential-based experience prior to the fall 2021 semester. NMSU hosted 40 incoming first-year students and helped them prepare for college-level English and mathematics. Co-curricular activities included leadership development, financial wellness, college life and academic success skills that are designed for student success.
NMSU also offers peer mentoring to students. NMSU’s TRIO Student Support Services recently was awarded recertification for the College Reading and Learning Association International Peer Educator Training Program. It is now certified for the next five years at level three, which is the highest level possible. NMSU’s peer mentors provide students with academic motivation and encouragement and knowledge about campus and community resources.
