Popular Links

Information For

NMSU System Economic Development Plan

I. INTRODUCTION

  1. New Mexico State University
    1. Mission: The mission of the New Mexico State University system is to serve the diverse needs of the state through comprehensive programs of education, research, extension and outreach, and public service. As the state’s land-grant and space-grant university, and as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, NMSU fosters learning, inquiry, diversity and inclusion, social mobility, and service to the broader community.

    2. Vision: By 2025, the NMSU system will excel in student success and social mobility for our diverse student populations, achieve the highest Carnegie research status (R1), and maintain our Carnegie Community Engagement classification.

    3. Values
      1. Leadership: Promoting and creating the ability for Aggies to shape the future
      2. Excellence: Providing the highest level of education, research, outreach, and service
      3. Access: Welcoming diverse populations to higher education and to the NMSU community
      4. Diversity & Inclusion: Embracing our differences as an asset and actively seeking to include wide-ranging perspectives
      5. Student-Centered: Supporting the education of our students through every aspect of our university, every day.

        These values are encapsulated as: BE BOLD. Shape the future.®

Download a PDF version of NMSU's Systemwide Economic Development Plan

Download the plan

B. NMSU LEADS 2025 STRATEGIC PLAN

Goal 1: Enhance Student Success & Social Mobility: Be a recognized leader in advancing student outcomes and career success. Student success across the NMSU system is driven by a commitment to learning, degree completion, and career attainment enriched by our research and outreach enterprise. Our students are served by our culture of inclusivity and educational delivery that meets student needs and includes online and hands-on learning. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds of students across the system, NMSU provides a supportive environment for students to become a part of, and contribute to, the campus community, the state, the country, and the world.

Goal 2: Elevate Research & Creativity: Attain Carnegie R1 research ranking by 2025. NMSU recognizes that all disciplines advance research, scholarship and creative activity, and along with the assets of the state of New Mexico, create a strong foundation for teaching, learning, education, training, innovation, and economic development.

Goal 3: Amplify Outreach & Extension: Be a recognized leader in economic and community development. NMSU outreach extends knowledge beyond the university, drives integration of activities, directly and indirectly, and supports student learning, experiences, and success. Our outreach activities include research, connections with communities and families, multigenerational engagement, economic development and entrepreneurship, and collaborative efforts with industry, corporations, and government entities.

Goal 4: Build A Robust University System: Be a recognized as a high performing, diverse, minority-serving, land-grant and space-grant institution. NMSU seeks to improve the university system, across the board, for faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, stakeholders, and prospective students and their families. Cooperation throughout the NMSU system will be exemplary for university systems across the nation through efficient, effective, and empowering operations that align with our strategic goals.

Proposed Goal 5: Build an Online Global Campus: This goal is currently being developed for consideration by the Board of Regents.

Proposed Goal 6: Build, Elevate and Strengthen Sustainable Systemwide EID Practices: This goal is currently being developed for consideration by the Board of Regents.

II. NMSU ECONOMIC DEVLOPMENT GOALS AND INDICATORS

As defined by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, economic development creates the conditions for economic growth and improved quality of life by expanding the capacity of individuals, firms, and communities to maximize the use of their talents and skills to support innovation, lower transaction costs, and responsibly produce and trade valuable goods and services.

  1. NMSU Economic Development Goals:

    NMSU has defined four goals for its economic development effort, all of which feed into its broader LEADS 2025 strategic goals, as outlined above.

    Economic Development Goal 1: Contribute to a stronger economic development ecosystem in our state and region.
    Economic Development Goal 2: Contribute to the diversification of the economic base of New Mexico
    Economic Development Goal 3: Advance collaborative efforts to strengthen communities in our region
    Economic Development Goal 4: Lead reimagined education and training for local, regional, and national workforce

  2. Leading Indicators:
    1. Health
    2. Education
    3. Community Resources
    4. Environment
    5. Infrastructure

  3. NMSU Strategic Areas of Contribution:
    1. Workforce Development
    2. Research
    3. Real Estate & Infrastructure Development
    4. Community & Relationship Development
    5. Technology Transformation
    6. Business & Entrepreneurship Acceleration

III. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

  1. State Economic Development Plan
    1. Collaborative New Mexico: Modernize NM’s economic development ecosystem by aligning stakeholders’ efforts, streamlining and simplifying rules and regulations, and strengthening business recruitment and retention.

    2. Dynamic New Mexico: Strengthen communities by increasing capacity for economic development projects and initiatives, redefining urban areas, and committing to the sustainability of rural and tribal communities.

    3. Skilled New Mexico: Reimagine education and training with industry engagement and institutional reform, aligning workforce development with industry needs, and preparing students for success.

    4. Inclusive New Mexico: Promote equity through economic justice by encouraging increased collaboration with tribal communities, expanding access to entrepreneurial resources for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and improving education and workforce outcomes for underserved populations.

    5. Innovative New Mexico: Enable high-quality homegrown innovation by building capacity among entrepreneurs, removing barriers to financial resources for entrepreneurs, sustaining an entrepreneur-friendly business environment, and connecting entrepreneurs and innovators to industry knowledge and resources.

    6. Resilient New Mexico: Diversify the economy, with emphases on:

      1. Aerospace
      2. Biosciences
      3. Cybersecurity
      4. Film and television
      5. Outdoor recreation/Tourism
      6. Sustainable and value-added agriculture
      7. Intelligent manufacturing
      8. Global trade
      9. Sustainable and green energy
      10. National Security (NMSU)

    7. Challenges
      1. Lack of collaboration between economic development stakeholders
      2. Difficulty attracting and retaining talent in urban, rural, and tribal communities
      3. Misalignment between higher education and industry
      4. Disengagement of socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in planning processes
      5. Public-sector dominance in New Mexico’s innovation ecosystem
      6. Concentration of economy in a few key industries

IV. KEY INDICATORS & UNIVERSITY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

NMSU’s impact on and contributions to economic development in the state and region come from all sectors and all disciplines. This ongoing work is seamlessly integrated into strategic planning at the college and unit level, as well as the institutional and systemwide level. The below table is not an exhaustive account of economic development activities led by NMSU. Instead, it highlights initiatives that have been identified by colleges and campus units as high-impact opportunities that can be achieved in the near-term to meaningfully accelerate our economic development engine.

University Contributions to Economic Development

University Contribution Key Performance Indicators Economic Development Goals Metrics Campus Unit or College
Workforce Development
Increase certification programs supporting regional industry

Education Income 

 1, 2, 3, 4 Number of programs; meetings with industry representatives Doña Ana Community College
Expand degree programs directly supporting NM Economic Development Priorities (Biosciences – Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology; Cybersecurity; CMI; Data Analytics; Geography and Environmental Sciences) Education 1 Number of graduates from each program increased by 5% Arts & Sciences
Develop new degree program directly supporting the needs of NM labs (Computer Engineering)

Education  

 1 New bachelor degree approved and achieve initial enrollment of 15 students Arts & Sciences
Expand current discipline-specific efforts in culturally responsive pedagogy professional development Education 2 Creation of one micro-credential per year on culturally responsive pedagogy in X Arts & Sciences
New Energy Economy (Navajo Agricultural Products Industry) Health, education, income, environment 1, 2, 3 Number of jobs by region Research, Creativity, and Strategic Initiatives
Plan, implement, assess, and redefine the development of high-demand, relevant career pathways/pilelines in health, education, and social services with its emphasis on social justice and equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) Health, education, income 1, 2, 3, 4 Number of students enrolling in and completing career pipeline programs Health, Education and Social Transformation

Increase strategic partnerships with defense industrial base companies, DoD agencies and DOE laboratories, with regional pressence (NM) to support co-op opportunities for NMSU students through the PSL Classified Ready Em- ployee Workforce (CREW) Program.

Income

1, 2, 3, 4

Number of CREW students in each annual cohort; Number of registered co-ops with DoD, DoE and defense industry companies

Physical Sci- ence Lab; Of- fice of Experi- ential Learning

Increase strategic partnerships with DoD agencies and DOE laboratories in NM and AZ to support co-op opportunities for NMSU students through the PSL Defense Civilian Training Corp Program.

Income

1, 2, 3, 4

Number of DCTC stu- dents in each annual cohort; Number of registered co-ops with DoD, DoE and defense industry companies

Physical Sci- ence Lab; Of- fice of Experi- ential Learning

Develop national security and defense acquisition primer courses that support the re-skill and up-skilling adult learners interested in careers in defense sector

Education Income

1, 2, 3

Number of students who register and com- plete courses

PSL; NMSU Global

Develop a short course designed to train economic development specialists. The course could be included as part of the NM EDGE program or as an NMSU Global Storefront course. The course could be structured similarly to the University of Minnesota Extension training.

Education

1, 2, 3, 4

Online version of the short course (course material) will be developed within the Canvas infrastructure by the end of 2023. Short course will be made available to economic development stakeholders via NMSU storefront my Mid-2024

ACES

Center for Public Utilities

Education Income Infrastructure

4

Number of registrants in prof development workshops and courses

Business

Center for Border Economic Development

Education Income

1, 4

Number of student placements through Center efforts and projects (i.e., how many later get jobs due to involvement in Center efforts)

Business, Arrowhead Center

Center for Supply Chain Entrepreneurship

Education Income

1, 4

Number of projects/en- gagements with clients

Number of student placements through Center efforts and projects (i.e., how many later get jobs due to involvement in Center efforts)

Business

Insurance & Financial Services Center

Education Income

1, 4

Number of projects/en- gagements with clients

Number of student placements through Center efforts and projects (i.e., how many later get jobs due to involvement in Center efforts)

Business

Doctor of Economic Development Program

Education Income

1, 2, 3, 4

Number of students graduating with DED

Number and types of roles landed by DED graduates

Business

Center for Public Utilities Education, income, infrastructure 4 Number of registrants in prof development workshops and courses Business
Center for Border Economic Development Education, income 1, 4

Number of projects/ engagements with clients

Number of student placements through Center efforts and projects (i.e., how many later get jobs due to involvement in Center efforts)

 Business
Center for Supply Chain Entrepreneurship Education, income 1, 4

Number of projects/ engagements with clients

Number of student placements through Center efforts and projects (i.e., how many later get jobs due to involvement in Center efforts)

 Business
Insurance & Financial Services Center Education, income 1, 4

Number of projects/engagements with clients

 

Number of student placements through Center efforts and projects (i.e., how many later get jobs due to involvement in Center efforts)

 Business
Doctor of Economic Development Program Education, income 1, 2, 3, 4

Number of students graduating with DED

Number and types of roles landed by DED graduates

 Business
Research

Increase use-inspired research projects in all disciplines

Education Income Health

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Research funding dol- lars; number of undergraduate and graduate students participating in research

All

Establish a National Security Testing and Evaluation Applied Research (NSTAR) Regional Working Group

Education Income

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Research funding dollars that is a direct result of convening; number of undergrad- uate and graduate students participating in research; number of papers, presentation, demonstrations

PSL

Real Estate & Infrastructure Development
Establish a senior retirement community at Aggie Uptown through public-private partnership Health, income, infrastructure 1, 2, 3, 4 Opening of the senior community; other milestones TBD Aggie Develop-ment
Establish a regional medical provider at Aggie Uptown Health, education 1, 2, 3, 4 Establishment of the provider/facility; other milestones TBD Aggie Develop-ment
Plan, implement, assess, and redefine the development of real estate and infrastructure that aligns with the mission of HEST at NMSU to integrate learning, research, outreach, and service promoting social transformation and social justice through engaging our students and various constituencies in education, health, and social sciences Health, education, income 1, 2, 3, 4 Number of real estate and infrastructure projects that have been aligned with HEST mission HEST

Develop a Creative Campus at Arrowhead Park

Education Income Infrastructure

1, 2, 3, 4

Opening of the DACC Creative Campus building;
Complete design work for CMI and KRWG buildings; other milestones TBD

Arrowhead Center

Community & Relationship Development
Develop an industry-govt relations research liaison role to directing traffic for potential economic development opportunities connected to research Income 1, 2 Establishment of a liaison role Research, Creativity, and Strategic Initiatives
Establish and activate the CIRCLE Research Center (Center for Integrative Rural Community & Leadership Engagement) Health, education 2 Establish structure, develop at least 2 community collaborations, submit 2 proposals Research, Creativity, and Strategic Initiatives
In-Land Transportation Hub at Santa Teresa Education, income, infrastructure 1, 2, 3 Number of companies that move to NM and number of jobs created Research, Creativity, and Strategic Initiatives
Plan, implement, assess, and redefine the development of multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral community-university partnerships to enhance transformative education, health, and social services/sciences programs and promote socio-economic mobility to elevate, uplift, and empower peoples, families, and communities Health, education, income 1, 2, 3, 4 Number of new and continuing partnerships HEST

Indian Resources Development (IRD) will conduct asset and needs assess- ment with specific departments at tribal nations in New Mexico to identify ways in which to support those nations in advancing their economic development goals in agriculture, natural resources, engineering, energy, business, workforce development, and education.

Education Income

1, 2, 3, 4

IRD will conduct three asset and needs as- sessments each year with specific depart- ments at tribal nations in NM to identify ways in which to support those nations in ad- vancing their economic development goals

ACES

Serve as a leader for K-12 entrepreneur- ship education in New Mexico

Education Income

1, 3

Number of NM coun- ties participating in entrepreneurship edu- cation

Number of K-12 student participating in entrepreneurship education

Arrowhead Center

Produce actionable business and eco- nomic research for stakeholders in New Mexico

Education Income Infrastructure

 

 

2, 3

 

Number of professional business or economic research projects com- pleted

Arrowhead Center, C-BED, Center for Supply Chain Entrepreneur- ship

Technology Transformation

Offer Regional I-Corps Programs to students and faculty with innovative research in New Mexico

Education Income

1, 2

Number of teams participating from New Mexico

Arrowhead Center

Develop a STTR training program for faculty members and graduate students in STEM areas Education, income 1

Develop and deploy 1 STTR training workshop per semester


Track number of STTR proposal submissions

 Arrowhead Center

Implement transformative technologies in our region

Example: Phase I SBIR contract at PSL with Corvid Technologies to develop a hypersonic antenna system that is deployable from the aft plate of a hyper- sonic boost glide vehicle.

Health, education, income, environment, infrastructure 1, 2, 3, 4

Number of jobs created; number of technology demonstrations/ implementations

Arrowhead Center, PSL, others

Provide access to Subject Matter Experts at NMSU through Technical Assistance programs

Income Infrastructure

2, 3

 

Number of technical assistance projects completed by NMSU subject matter experts

Arrowhead Center

Plan, implement, assess, and redefine the development of technology transformation to advance education, health, and social services/sciences programs with its emphasis on social justice and EID Health, education, income 1, 2, 3, 4

Number of health, education, and social sciences-related technology projects launched or supported

 Health, Education and Social Transformation

Further develop artificial intelligence/ machine learning electromagnetic signal processing technology developed by PSL inventors toward commercialization (OPEN VPX) P atent Pending

Income Infrastructure

4

Software licensing royalties; Number of jobs created; number of technology demonstrations/ implementations; number of coorperative agreements

PSL

nology for use in hypersonic research developed by PSL inventors toward commercialization

Income Infrastructure

4

 

Number of jobs created; number of technology demonstrations/ implementations; number of cooperative agreements; number and amount of industry contracts

PSL

Business/Entrepreneurship Acceleration
Expand Arrowhead programs, resources, and services to those areas and populations with the least access to such assets Education, income 1, 2, 3 Number of rural communities participating in Arrowhead business acceleration programs; percentage of Arrowhead clients from rural and tribal communities; ethnic/racial minorities, and women Arrowhead Center
Develop entrepreneurship extracurricular learning content for students in various disciplines Education, income 1, 4 Deliver entrepreneurship learning content to students in at least two colleges per academic semester Arrowhead Center

Serve as a leader for student entrepre- neurship in New Mexico

Education Income

1, 3

Number of Studio G Sites at colleges and universities in New Mexico; Number of New Mexico student

Arrowhead Center

Serve as a leader for Native American entrepreneurship in New Mexico

Education Income

1, 3

Number of tribal communities served by Native American entre- preneurship programs; Number of Native American entrepre- neurs participating in Studio G

Arrowhead Center

Plan, implement, assess, and redefine the development of collaborative innovation entrepreneurial incubators and accelerators in education, health, and social services/ sciences with its emphasis on social justice and EID Health, education, income 1, 2, 3, 4 Collaborate with Arrowhead Center on one or more incubator/accelerator project related to education, health, and social services/sciences Health, Education and Social Transformation
Amplify impact of research on society and the economy by accelerating technology and knowledge transfer as well as associated entrepreneurial activities Health, education, income, environment, infrastructure 1, 2, 3, 4

Formalize eight corporate partnerships that result in:

- Utilization of NMSU research results

- Direct funding for applied research

- External funding for technology maturation to turn research results into usable applications

 

Spin-out five companies from NMSU, engaged faculty as technology science advisors or founders.

- Licensing/royalty income

- Shareholder in company		 Research, Creativity, and Strategic Initiatives

Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems agricultural economists will conduct series of economic/business feasibility assessments for value-added food products and businesses.

Education Income

1, 2, 3

Two economic/business feasibility assessments will be conducted annually for three years.

ACES