Santa Fe New Mexican 2025

In one of the most dramatic transformations in decades, higher education in the U.S. is grappling with declining enrollment and financial instability. Dozens of colleges have been forced to close or merge, and many others are scrambling to stay afloat. Since 2021, more than 70 colleges and universities have either shut down or merged, and even mid-sized and large institutions, once thought to be insulated, must make drastic cuts.

El Defensor Chieftain, 2025

I find myself at the helm of another premier institution that, sadly, is often called a “hidden gem” — a compliment, but one that implies we’re somehow out of reach or too elusive. So, in this column, I hope to spark your curiosity and invite deeper conversations about who we are at New Mexico Tech (NMT) and what we represent, even if you think you already know.