At NMSU, top academic students have two homes: their primary academic college and the NMSU Honors College. As the oldest such college in New Mexico, the NMSU Honors Colleges provide an academic community that challenges and supports diverse, talented students to aim higher and achieve more with their education. 

The mission of the NMSU Honors College is to serve the citizens and state of New Mexico by offering an enriching environment for motivated, academically gifted students. It fosters a vibrant community of scholars and mentors dedicated to personal growth, critical thinking, leadership, curiosity, and social responsibility. 

Through this supportive and rigorous environment, the Honors College empowers students to maximize their potential, gain a broad understanding of the world, and positively impact their communities and beyond. By championing excellence in undergraduate education, the Honors College strengthens NMSU’s reputation as New Mexico’s premier university of choice. 

For more information, contact:

Dan Hames

Dan Hames
Senior Director of Special Gifts

Office:  (575) 201-9929  | Email: Dan.hames@nmsufoundation.org

Dean Phame Camarena cropped

From the Dean

“Consistent with our Land Grant mission, I love that most of our NMSU Honors students describe their professional goals and life values in terms of doing ‘something more’ with their lives. Giving back to the communities that nurtured them or working to solve the problems of our world is so much more motivating than simply earning a degree, getting a job, or making more money. These aspirations also inspire all of us in Honors to do what we can to elevate these students’ success knowing that when we transform our students’ lives for good, they are better prepared to change the world for good.”

Dr. Phame Camarena

Giving Opportunities

Honors Dean’s Excellence Fund  

The Dean’s Excellence Fund for the Honors College at NMSU provides financial support for students to participate in enrichment activities. These activities include research, study abroad, and service-learning projects.

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Honors College Scholarship

NMSU Honors students have the opportunity to further their experience and knowledge through applying to one of our top two scholar programs: the Conroy Honors Scholars Program, or the PAE Leader Scholar Program.

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Trujillo_Honors College

Valerie Trujillo Torres Scholarship Fund

Established in 2019, the Valerie Torres Endowed Scholarship supports NMSU students in the Honors College. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, be classified as a Sophomore, Junior or Senior level student, county of legal residence is Doña Ana, and must have financial need.

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Your generous gifts really make a difference in our lives, and they help alleviate the financial burdens for students. The financial opportunities at NMSU made it possible for me to attend

Zaira Martin, ’21, ’23, Government, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Criminal Justice, and Spanish