Colin Bell ’24 grew up playing the game of Monopoly with his family—and beating the pants off them all. Maybe that’s where he developed a taste for money management. A recent NMSU graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and a minor in risk management and insurance, Colin just finished a stint with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in Atlanta, Georgia. There, as a bank examiner, he helped financial institutions protect their depositors by evaluating their performance and auditing their records to make sure they didn’t fail.
FROM ALABAMA TO ALAMOGORDO
Originally from just outside Atlanta, Colin spent most of his childhood with his family on their farm in Eufaula, Alabama, or in Powder Springs, Georgia. But he suddenly found himself in Alamogordo, New Mexico, when his mother remarried during middle school and her husband got transferred to Holloman Airforce Base in Otero County. Colin finished high school there and fell in love with the Land of Enchantment, relishing the taste of green chiles and the beauty of his surroundings.
College was never in doubt, and Colin planned to follow in the footsteps of his parents. His mother received two degrees in education, and his father earned a degree in criminal justice. But finding his niche was another matter, as he struggled to find the field he wanted to enter post-graduation.
As his senior year approached, Colin researched the reputation of New Mexico State University’s College of Business, hoping to turn his knack for managing Monopoly money into a career. He was impressed by the faculty’s expertise and the college’s well-rounded programs. Choosing NMSU became an easy decision once he discovered the Opportunity Scholarship. Receiving the Dino & Heidi Camunez Family and Raquel Bone Endowed Scholarships—both funded by successful and dedicated College of Business alumni—solidified that NMSU was the right choice.
Being a military kid also paid off as he quickly made friends in his new surroundings. “I felt I could go into any room and make myself relatable to all the people I met, and I knew that was a valuable skill,” he says. He connected with his classmates, his professors, and student programs. “That was one of the first steps I learned in business school — the value of networking,” Colin remembers.
FINDING HIS CALLING
Colin’s first three years at NMSU were joyful. He loved going to football games and experiencing all the amenities of the NMSU campus. But while he enjoyed his classes and made great connections, Colin still felt nervous about taking the major steps that would solidify his career choice.
Two Christmases ago, his dad sat him down at the breakfast table and asked him if he was ready to face the world after graduation. “He said, ‘Son, stop procrastinating—life is on the way. Surround yourself with like-minded people, with people who want to see you win,” says Colin. “So, I did.”
He joined the Finance Student Association and the business fraternity, sought advice from College Professor Paula Groves and College Assistant Professor Kim Kerr, and connected with College of Business Dean Bryan Ashenbaum. “Colin exemplifies our Aggie values: hard work, embracing challenges, and maintaining a positive outlook,” says Groves. “His success not only stands on its own but also makes him an inspiring role model for other students.”
It was Professor Groves who talked Colin into applying for a summer internship at the OCC in Atlanta. “I applied for the internship, and to my surprise, I made it to the final round — that felt like a big pat on the back,” he recalls. “When I got the internship, everything clicked. I saw how what we learn in class connects to the real world.”
“At NMSU, the more I applied myself and the more I got involved, the clearer my path became,” says Colin. “The business school gives you lots of tools like job fairs and serving in the Finance Student Association. That helped me find my purpose, and now I’m doing what I was meant to do.”
OPEN TO POSSIBILITIES
While Colin is excited about life after graduation, he’s keeping an open mind about job prospects in Atlanta. “I’m a huge Braves fan, so I’m excited to start living my best life in the city, but I’m open to whatever comes my way,” he says, whether that means new career opportunities or a location change. “I’m pretty much ready for anything.”
He’s also considering going for his MBA, which he would do online through NMSU’s Global Campus. But one thing that won’t change for Colin is his passion for helping people manage their money safely and wisely — whether with major financial institutions or smaller banks.
“When I was a kid, it was always my plan to help pay for college because I know what student debt can do to your finances,” he says. “I want to help people feel confident that they’re managing their money wisely, whether they’re with a big bank or a small one. That’s something everyone can benefit from.”
In other words, Mr. Monopoly would be proud.