As the world’s demand for semiconductors grows, Intel is making a major investment in New Mexico and New Mexico State University, strengthening both the state’s economy and the future of NMSU’s engineering students. Intel established endowed scholarships at five New Mexico institutions, including NMSU, and committed to a three-year funding initiative to advance NMSU’s curriculum with courses grounded in real-world applications and modern methods. 

“New Mexico is full of talented, hardworking students eager to pursue STEM,” says Frank Gallegos ’94, ’97, New Mexico community relations director at Intel Corporation, which has invested more than $800,000 in NMSU since 2021. “We’re proud to offer resources that build skills and confidence for lifelong learning, career success, and societal contributions.” 

Students like Emily Rivera ’23, from Canjilon, New Mexico, have found careers at Intel’s Rio Rancho facilities, where she works on advanced 3D packaging technology as an industrial designer. “I felt this was the next generation of innovation and wanted to be a part of it. It was also a great opportunity to stay close to home,” she says. Emily’s first interview with Intel was in the same NMSU Engineering building where she spent countless hours studying, meeting her now-manager  — also an Aggie.

Intel’s presence in New Mexico is extensive, employing more than 3,000 people, and since 1995, 61 percent of new hires at Rio Rancho have been New Mexicans. Beyond jobs, Intel employees have dedicated more than 51,000 volunteer hours in New Mexico over the past five years and donated $6.8 million to support local nonprofits and schools since 2019. 

During her time at NMSU, Emily earned prestigious awards like the College of Engineering Scholarship, the Industrial Engineering Department Scholarship, and the Louis Rosen Scholarship. “Every day is an opportunity to improve, to learn, and to make something better — even our mistakes become learning opportunities,” Emily says. 

Reflecting on her journey, she adds, “With the right support, we can uplift our communities through education and workforce development. I love Intel’s commitment to New Mexico.”