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Summit Attendees Discuss Higher Education Policies in New Mexico

Gregg Morgan
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Summit Attendees Discuss Higher Education Policies in New Mexico

New Mexico’s leaders and educators welcomed the state’s meaningful investments in higher education. The third annual Higher Education Technical Summit brought together officials and professionals. They shared their views on ongoing efforts to drive student success and economic opportunity through higher education institutions. 

More than 300 educators and policy professionals from colleges and universities in New Mexico attended the summit. This conference is the only one of its kind organized by the state in the country. New Mexico State University in Las Cruces hosted the gathering on March 23-24, 2026.

Guest speakers included New Mexico Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, state Sen. Bill Soules, House Speaker Javier Martinez, and state Rep. Nathan Small. Other speakers included Tom Harnisch of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, Jennifer Torres of Complete College America and representatives of the University of New Mexico Basic Needs Project.  

“Joining higher education leaders from across New Mexico at the 3rd Annual Technical Summit was an inspiring reminder of the powerful impact our colleges and universities have on communities in every corner of our state,” said Morales. 

“From expanding access and affordability to strengthening workforce pathways, this collective effort reflects a growing, statewide commitment to student success and economic opportunity. With strong collaboration among institutions, policymakers and partners, and under Secretary Rodriguez’s leadership, New Mexico continues to make meaningful investments in higher education that are uplifting families, supporting local economies and building a more prosperous future for all,” he added.

College as Pathway to Purpose

Harnisch said he was thrilled to join higher education leaders from across New Mexico at the event. “The summit highlighted strong collaboration among institutions and state leaders to ensure every student has access to high-quality, affordable college opportunities that prepare them for workforce success.”

He added that New Mexico is making tremendous strides in higher education. Bold investments and innovative policies will drive broad-based economic growth and prosperity for decades to come. 

Torres described college as more than a credential but a pathway to purpose. “It helps students discover who they are, what they value and how they can contribute to their communities and careers. When we center students in this work, we’re not just preparing them for jobs, we’re equipping them with the skills, confidence and sense of direction they need to lead meaningful, impactful lives.” 

During the summit, attendees discussed forward-looking policies on financial aid and national trends in state higher education funding. They also tackled strategic campus capital investments. Speakers presented topics on academic policy, institutional planning and research, adult education, and other emerging priorities influencing the future of higher education.  

Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez said the summit featured an exceptionally invigorating series of panels. “Higher education in New Mexico has garnered incredible momentum over these past eight years, and events like this one provide tremendous encouragement that the upward trend will continue in the years to come.” 

Man Sentence to Life Imprisonment and 60 Months for Kidnapping-for-Ransom

Ruben Reyes
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A federal judge sentenced Jose Ramirez, 47, to life in prison and 60 months after a federal jury convicted him on kidnapping charges from 2018 abduction, nearly seven years on the run from law enforcement. 

According to court documents and evidence that prosecutors presented at trial in 2018, just weeks after prison officials released him from prison for a felony firearm conviction that stemmed from a high-speed police chase, and while courts supervised him and he wore a GPS ankle monitor, Ramirez formulated a calculated violent kidnapping-for-ransom scheme targeting his former employer, a 68-year-old business owner who had fired him years before the theft.

Where It All Began

On July 25, 2018, the day before the crime, Ramirez met his co-defendants in Albuquerque and enlisted them in the scheme, which he described as a “revenge” plan against his former boss and “take him for all he had.”

One co-defendant recruited a third participant who acted as a primary enforcer during the attack.

The Crime Unfolding

In the early morning of July 26, Ramirez and his co-defendants traveled to the victim’s residence in Placitas after stealing a vehicle from a family member, cutting off his GPS monitor, and discarding his phone to cover his movements

At around 6 A.M., the defendants ambushed the victim as he exited his home. Ramirez restrained the victim in a chokehold and held a knife to his throat. During the struggle, the defendants pistol-whipped the victim multiple times before subduing him.

The defendants forced the victim into his own Ford Ranger and drove him to a remote location, where they robbed him of cash and a check, bound him, and transported him to a run-down shed in Albuquerque.

Ramirez held the victim captive for approximately 15 hours and beat him additionally. Throughout the captivity, he made multiple ransom calls to the victim’s daughter, demanding $9,600 and directing her to wire money to a bank account in Mexico.

Even though Ramirez discarded his phone to avoid tracks, he used his personal phone to make calls, which investigators traced, and he spoke directly to the victim’s daughter during a recorded call, further revealing himself.

How It Concludes

Ramirez fully revealed the scheme when he failed to provide the necessary banking information required to complete the international wire transfer. After obtaining only $600 from the victim, Ramirez abandoned the ransom attempt.

Later that evening, the victim was released in southwest Albuquerque and walked to a nearby gas station to call for help.

Ramirez attempted to profit further by using a stolen check with his fingerprint, which led to an additional bank fraud conviction for an associate, and he fled to New Mexico, traveled to California, lived under aliases, and continued engaging in criminal activity.

He evaded law enforcement for seven years before being caught in California.

Guilty on Multiple Charges

A federal jury convicted Ramirez on multiple charges, including conspiracy to kidnap and carjacking; carjacking, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to crime of violence, and extortion.

Due to his more than 30 years of criminal conduct, violent and calculated nature of crime, the government requested and the court imposed a sentence to life prison and additional 60 years.

There is no parole in federal system.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement.

Pipeline Blocked—But not Dead? Project Jupiter Faces a Reroute Dilemma in New Mexico

Juan Oliveros
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Pipeline Blocked—But not Dead? Project Jupiter Faces a Reroute Dilemma in New Mexico

The New Mexico State Land Office’s decision to block a crucial pipeline section has sparked a crucial question: Can Project Jupiter still proceed? Officials say the answer is yes. But not without changes.

“Applicants will need to find a route that does not include state trust lands,” Assistant Commissioner of Communications Joey Keefe said. Keefe’s statement signaled not the end for the proposed 17-mile pipeline tied to the data center project.

The 17.7-mile natural gas pipeline, dubbed the “Green Chile Project,” would fuel Project Jupiter, a massive data center. It will transport up to 400,000 dekatherms of natural gas everyday from El Paso, Texas, to southern New Mexico.

Most of the route crosses federal and private land. In X post, Criterion Research said the Dallas-based company has already filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

But a 0.63-mile segment that passes through state trust land in Doña Ana County has become a dilemma.

The State Land Office rejected the lease application on March 20. In her letter addressed to Transwestern Pipeline Company, Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard ruled that granting access is not in the best interest of the state’s trust. The decision blocks pipeline construction on that portion, but not the entire project.

Energy Transfer, the Dallas-based company, is behind the proposal. The company said the pipeline is still in the planning phase. It emphasized that they have yet to determine the final route.

“We are currently performing civil, environmental, and cultural surveys to determine the safest route with the least environmental impact,” said company spokesperson Vicki Granado. The final route will be determined after this work is completed, she added. FERC, which oversees interstate pipelines, will decide the project’s final route.

However, uncertainty looms over the timeline. The Dallas-based company had projected the construction could begin as early as April. This timeline follows the end of the public input period on April 15. The company plans to finish the project by August.

Environmental groups argued the State Land Office’s decision exposes deeper issues with the project. Kacey Hovden, a staff attorney of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, said the undefined path of the pipeline highlights broader concerns about Project Jupiter’s readiness.

She pointed out that the decision on air-quality permits for the gas-fired power plants the pipeline would serve has already been pushed back to July. These sequencing issues raised red flags for the project. The project, Hovden said, seems to be advancing infrastructure plans ahead of the needed environmental approvals.

Heading to Chimayó? Here’s What NMDOT is Doing — And What Pilgrims Should Remember

Juan Oliveros
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Heading to Chimayó? Here’s What NMDOT is Doing — And What Pilgrims Should Remember

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has stepped up safety measures along key pilgrimage routes as thousands prepare to walk to El Santuario de Chimayó this Good Friday.

Crews have been working for weeks ahead of the annual walk to El Santuario de Chimayó. They will begin 12-hour shifts starting Thursday evening through Saturday to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

What NMDOT is doing on the ground

To handle the rise in foot traffic, the agency has rolled out a wide set of safety interventions, namely:

  • Clearing and sweeping of roads, while cattle guards are being covered to make paths safer for pedestrians;
  • Installation of the more than 150 orange barrels and around 250 safety signs along major routes;
  • Pilgrims will have a guide in using on- and off-ramps between Santa Fe and Cuyamungue to avoid highways;
  • At the Cuyamungue interchange, agency crews will redirect walkers to an east frontage road to avoid risk from fast-moving vehicles;
  • Temporary stop signs will be installed at interchanges to allow safer pedestrian crossings;
  • Motorists will be alerted to heavy foot traffic with electronic message boards and additional signage along N.M. 76 and N.M. 503;
  • Portable lights will illuminate high-traffic areas, including the Pojoaque Wellness Center and major intersections; and
  • Trash bins will be available along routes to help keep the area clean during the pilgrimage.

Safety tips: What pilgrims should remember

NMDOT officials stressed that safety also depends on participants. The agency is reminding walkers to:

  • Remain in designated pedestrian paths and follow all installed signs;
  • Do not walk directly on roadways whenever possible;
  • Wearing light-colored or reflective clothing is a big help, especially at night or early morning;
  • To adjust to shifting temperatures, participants are advised to dress in layers;
  • Don’t forget to bring essentials like a flashlight, water, and snacks;
  • Be sure to walk in groups and inform someone of your route; and
  • Proper disposal of waste by using designated bins.

NMDOT also reminded all motorists to slow down and stay alert. The agency expects thousands of pilgrims to share the road in the days leading up to Good Friday.

13-Year-Old Shot Dead and Injured

Ruben Reyes
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Police arrested the 13-year-old suspect after he shot another teen at a home in Las Cruces. 

They said the victim was a 13-year-old and that medical personnel airlifted him to a hospital in University Medical Center of El Paso after the suspect shot him in the back of his head. They later detained the teen suspect and described him as a runaway who possessed firearms.

The shooting occurred just before 10:30 P.M. Monday, March 30, according to Las Cruces Police Department.

Responding officers en route to the scene and learned the parents of the shooting victim attempted to drive their son to the hospital while on the road.

Police then found the vehicle on Picacho Avenue, where officers and other first responders provided aid.

Officers found the suspect near Pichaco Middle School and detained him immediately. Police also located the firearm believed to be used in the crime.

He will face charges of negligent use of deadly weapon and illegal possession of firearm.

The suspect was placed in the Juvenile Probation Office.

No further updated on the injured teen given by the police since its news release.

NASA Astronaut, Engineer to Inspire NMSU Students and Las Cruces Community to “Reach Your Own Stars”

Gregg Morgan
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NASA Astronaut, Engineer to Inspire NMSU Students and Las Cruces Community to “Reach Your Own Stars”

What does leadership look like from space? A NASA astronaut is landing at New Mexico State University (NMSU) to share his perspective with the community. 

In August 2009, Jose M. Hernandez flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery as a flight engineer, turning a once-distant dream into reality. The NASA astronaut and engineer is coming to Las Cruces as the April speaker for the 1888 Leadership Series. The free event will run from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Corbett Center Student Union auditorium. It is open to NMSU and the Las Cruces community.

Hernandez’s Journey

He participated in the TRIO Upward Bound program and became a first-generation college student. Hernandez earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of the Pacific and master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

He spent a decade at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California. There, he helped develop the first full-field digital mammography imaging system. In 2001, he joined Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

“I’m honored to visit New Mexico State University and share my journey with the Aggie community. My hope is that students walk away inspired to dream big, work hard and realize that no matter where you start, with perseverance and purpose, you can reach your own stars,” Hernandez said.

In 2023, Amazon’s Prime Video released “A Million Miles Away,” a film depicting Hernandez’s path from farmworker to engineer and astronaut. The movie is based on his autobiography, “Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut.”

After retiring from NASA, Hernandez founded Tierra Luna Engineering, a consulting firm dedicated to providing an innovative approach on aerospace, advanced technologies, and education outreach. He also established Tierra Luna Cellars, a winery in Northern California.

Now, he is set to inspire students and the Las Cruces community through the 1888 Leadership Series.

Inside the 1888 Leadership Series

The 1888 Leadership Series invites local, state, regional, and national leaders to campus for workshops through the 1888 Leadership Initiative. One of NMSU President Valerio Ferme’s priorities, the program serves as one of the foundations of student success at NMSU. Initiative graduates take on leadership roles and make a positive impact on campus life.

“The 1888 Leadership Initiative team is honored to welcome Jose Hernandez to New Mexico State University and the Las Cruces community. We look forward to his presentation and invite our Aggies and Las Cruces community members to join us for this event,” Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Tony Marin said.

The 1888 Leadership Series welcomes all NMSU students. Monthly activities help students connect to student groups, academic leadership programs, and service opportunities. These experiences allow students to build a résumé of experience for future success.

Why New Mexico Is Losing People — and What the Data Reveals

Juan Oliveros
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Why New Mexico Is Losing People — and What the Data Reveals

Fresh demographic numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau paint a sobering picture for New Mexico. Data showed more counties are shrinking than growing, as deaths outpaced births and more people leave than arrive.

Covering the period between 2024 and 2025, data show that the majority of the state’s 33 counties recorded population declines, highlighting that a demographic shift has been quietly unfolding across the American Southwest.

Bernalillo County — home to Albuquerque — lies at the center of this trend. The county recorded the largest drop in absolute numbers. But it remains the state’s most populous county with 673,930 population.

Other counties, including Curry County, McKinley County, Santa Fe County, and Chaves County, also reported population declines. The recorded declines in these counties underscore that the trend cuts across both rural and semi-urban areas.

A slow-burning demographic shift

Behind the numbers, migration and natural change, like births and deaths, are reshaping the state’s population. Census data show that more people are moving out of New Mexico than moving in. This pattern is known as net domestic outmigration. At the same time, the state is experiencing a natural decrease — deaths exceed births.

Population loss is not unique to New Mexico. According to USAFacts, the state’s population declined by 1,300 between 2024 and 2025. New Mexico is one of five states to lose population. Its effects, however, are more pronounced in smaller states and rural regions, where even modest declines ripple through the local economies, particularly impacting school enrollments and labor supply.

Pockets of growth

Still, the data is not uniformly negative. For instance, San Juan County posted the largest population gain, while Valencia County saw the fastest percentage increase. But these gains remain uneven and not enough to offset broader losses across the state.

The latest numbers suggest that New Mexico is entering a period of demographic transition. Growth can no longer be assumed, and the balance between staying and leaving is tilting towards population decline.

Shooting in Silver City Caused a Teen Hospitalized

Ruben Reyes
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Silver City police reported that someone shot a teen in the head while the teen was travelling as a passenger just after midnight on Corbin Streets on Sunday, March 29.

Police said the teen was hospitalized at Gila Regional Medical Center and continues to receive medical treatment at a facility.

The Silver City Police Department identified several people as persons of interest.

With continuous investigation, authorities arrested and booked 26-year-old Espirideon Varela into the Grant County Detention Center, charging him with violating his probation and illegal possession of a firearm, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

According to the statement of probable cause filed in Grant County Magistrate Court, police executed a search warrant at 400 N. Corbin St. on Sunday as part of the shooting investigation.

During the search, police found several firearms and documents and discovered that Valera had previous felony convictions. Police also found substances such as methamphetamines in his home and vehicle, according to the report.

Valera made his first appearance in the magistrate court on Monday morning, and Grant County Detention Center is currently detaining him.

Police have not yet released other accomplices, and they remain at large. Police have asked anyone with information to contact Silver City Police at (575) 538-3723 or dispatch at (575) 388-8840.

Man Sentenced For Shooting at Albuquerque

Ruben Reyes
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A court sentenced Dorian McCuller, 42, previously charged with murdering 44-year-old Richard Cabell at the Copper Ridge Apartments on June 2023, to 20 years in prison.

Albuquerque Police Department said a behavioral health hospital in Texas called police about a patient who told staff he may have hurt someone in Albuquerque.

McCuller and Cabell are arguing over Cabell’s girlfriend at Copper Ridge Apartment and when things escalated, McCuller shot Cabell twice before he fled the scene.

McCuller thought Cabell had a gun, but APD did not find a gun on Cabell’s body. He also said he did not remember driving to Texas, did not know where his car was, and probably threw the gun out during the drive.

Police charged him with murder and tampering of evidence and detained him in Texas.

On November 2023, a jury found McCuller guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement. Authorities later arrested McCuller in Texas and then extradited him to New Mexico to face charges.

Judge Matthew Chavez announced the verdict today.

Water Supply Running Tight, MRGCD Tells Farmers: Think Twice Before Planting

Juan Oliveros
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Water Supply Running Tight, MRGCD Tells Farmers: Think Twice Before Planting

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District has cautioned farmers and irrigation users to think twice in planning their crops, warning that the water supply is running tight along the Middle Rio Grande early in the season.

“MRGCD urges all water users to proceed with caution when making farming decisions, carefully considering one’s own water needs and those of others,” the district said in an advisory.

MRGCD’s warning comes as river conditions do not follow a typical spring runoff pattern. The availability of water is already becoming limited across the system, it added.

In early March, irrigation deliveries began earlier than usual in some areas as low-elevation snowmelt caused a temporary increase in water flows. But the increase in water flow was short-lived. Water has since decreased to one-third of the early March water levels.

“For us, the first day of spring marked a turning point,” said Jason Casuga, CEO and chief engineer of the district. “Incoming flows were no longer sufficient to meet both diversion needs and required river bypass thresholds.”

Uncertain runoff

Authorities said it is not yet clear whether snowpack at higher elevations will produce a second wave of runoff in the coming weeks. Provided it does, the runoff impact may be limited by upstream factors beyond the district’s control.

Data from the Bureau of Reclamation showed that federal storage operations in the Rio Chama system for Pueblo lands and water diversions in Colorado have impacted water availability in New Mexico.

Water supply: what to expect

MRGCD said irrigation deliveries will remain on a rotating basis. Constraints in water supply will shape the operations in the coming weeks.

The agency said water users can expect, in the meantime, longer waiting times between deliveries, tighter schedule options, and fewer canals operating at any given time. Officials also advised farmers to take water when available, warning that future supply remains uncertain.

Despite the situation, Casuga emphasized the need for community action. “Although hydrologic conditions and upstream activities are outside our control, our collective response is not,” he said. “This season will require efficient use, strong cooperation, and a shared sense of responsibility from all of us.”

He said the district will continue to monitor conditions and issue advisories as more data on runoff and supply becomes available.

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