Many people choose to leave their estate to their children or other loved ones. For Kim Archuleta CNP ’95 ’02, however, the decision was clear. She recently designated her estate plans to support students in health and human services because she considers New Mexico State University family. “NMSU is my family,” Kim said. “They gave me my life, and I want to give back.”
Family, Purpose and Finding Her Path
Born in Española, New Mexico, and raised in Wagon Mound, Kim takes pride in her journey from a high school graduating class of just 15 students to the expansive campus of NMSU.
In a town of about 200 people, she knew nearly everyone, so attending an NMSU-sponsored program for outstanding sophomores and juniors was a turning point. “We learned all about NMSU, and it really planted the seed,” Kim said.
She arrived the following fall thinking she might pursue engineering and take chemistry courses, but quickly discovered her strength was in biology. Soon after, when a family member experienced a premature birth, Kim saw firsthand the challenges of caring for a fragile infant. That moment helped solidify her path, and she shifted her focus to nursing.
“NMSU changed me,” Kim said. “I came in unsure and left with a purpose.”
A Career Rooted in Compassion
After earning an associate degree in nursing from NMSU and becoming a registered nurse, Kim launched her nursing career in 1996 at The Hospitals of Providence in El Paso. By 1999, she had transitioned into labor and delivery at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, gaining hands-on experience caring for mothers and newborns.
In 2003, Kim moved to Albuquerque, where she joined Presbyterian Hospital and began pursuing her master’s degree in nursing at the University of New Mexico. She completed her degree in 2005 and, the following year, earned her APRN-CNP license with a focus in family practice. She continued to grow professionally, becoming a nurse practitioner with Presbyterian Health Care Services.
Today, Kim serves as a nurse practitioner in obstetrics and gynecology with Presbyterian Medical Group in Albuquerque, helping women across the region access quality healthcare.
“Kim embodies what it means to be an Aggie nurse. Her unwavering commitment to nursing, women’s health, and New Mexico State University has touched countless lives, and her extraordinary generosity will ensure that future generations of nursing and nurse practitioner students have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and improve the health of New Mexicans,” said Alexa Doig, Ph.D., R.N., director of the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation’s School of Nursing and recipient of the Elisa E. and Antonio H. Enriquez professorship.
Throughout her career, Kim has remained committed not only to patient care but also to mentoring the next generation. She has served for many years as a preceptor to nursing students and new nurses, guiding them as they transition into the profession and helping them build confidence in their skills. “Nursing is an art,” she said. “We can’t lose sight of the care behind it.”
Kim also credits much of her development to faculty who challenged her to grow, including NMSU’s Dr. Mary Sizemore, a former military nurse. “She was tough,” Kim said. “But she believed in me before I believed in myself.”
Her passion for NMSU is just as strong as her commitment to nursing. She has served on the NMSU Foundation alumni committee, remains active in the Albuquerque Alumni Network and supports NMSU athletics as a football and basketball season ticket holder.
“It’s my happy place,” Kim said. “Once I’m headed south, everything just feels right.”
Planning a Legacy of Impact
In 2025, after losing her father and seeing a close friend lose her former husband and the father of her children, Kim began thinking more intentionally about her future. With the guidance of Jeff Caha, associate director of philanthropy at the NMSU Foundation, she turned those intentions into a plan, including a bequest to the Health and Human Services Expectancy Fund.
“Jeff understood exactly what I wanted and guided me step by step,” Kim said. She encourages others to seek guidance from trusted professionals, such as an attorney and a financial planner, as they begin the planning process.
Kim’s commitment to NMSU extends far beyond her estate plans. She is an active member of the College of Health and Social Services Dean’s Advisory Council, traveling to Las Cruces regularly to stay engaged with the college.
Her giving is rooted in gratitude and a desire to pay it forward. “Someone believed in me,” Kim said. “You lend a hand, then help the next person. I want to be that hand.” In 2019, she established a current-use scholarship for nursing students, the Kimberly Archuleta Nursing Current Use Scholarship, becoming one of the youngest donors in the college to create a scholarship.
She encourages others to begin planning early. “Start sooner than you think,” Kim said. “Think about what matters most to you and talk to someone who can help you plan for it.”
In shaping her gift, Kim focused on the people her support will ultimately serve. “I went into nursing to help people,” she said. “If I can help students and professors go on to help others, that’s what matters.”
Take The First Step Today
August is National Make-A-Will Month, a reminder to create or update your estate plan. The NMSU Foundation can work with you and your attorney to provide sample language that helps ensure your intentions are clearly reflected in your plans. We can also develop a memorandum of understanding to guide how your gift will be used and stewarded by New Mexico State University.
If you have already included NMSU in your estate plans, we invite you to share that information with us so you can become a member of the 1888 Society. Doing so allows us to thank you for your generosity and make certain your wishes are clearly documented and honored as intended.
To learn more about including NMSU in your estate plans, contact Steven Covington, Executive Director, Estates and Gift Planning, at plannedgiving@nmsufoundation.org or call 575-201-9023.