Manny Mora ’83 has long been inspired by extraordinary journeys. From the bold ambition of the Apollo missions to watching Aggies travel deep into Nicaragua and Guatemala to improve lives, his outlook has been shaped by curiosity, courage and exploration.
With a deep respect for where he’s been, Mora is always looking ahead, seeking new perspectives and new ways to turn inspiration into impact. Together, he and his wife, Alexandra, have brought that vision to New Mexico State University through their support of the Mora Family Capstone Rooms in the new College of Engineering complex, spaces designed to prepare students for real-world challenges through hands-on, applied learning.
“A capstone is where people come together to build something,” Mora said. “In school, you often work individually, but in the real world, success depends on collaborating as part of a diverse team.”
The Mora Family Capstone Rooms reflect that philosophy, offering students an environment that mirrors professional engineering settings. These places empower students to innovate, collaborate and bring ideas from concept to completion.
“The Mora Family Capstone Rooms will provide students with spaces where technical knowledge is transformed into professional practice and prepare our graduates for successful engineering careers,” said Interim Dean David Jáuregui. “We are equally grateful for Manny’s leadership, industry perspective and commitment to advancing our programs. His support and dedication to student opportunities will help shape the college’s future and the success of generations of Aggie engineers.”
Early Love for New Horizons
That forward-looking mindset reflects Manny’s own journey. Inspired by the Apollo missions and the 1969 moon landing, he saw engineering not just as a profession, but as a way to explore the unknown and push boundaries.
“I grew up during the early years of the space program, when everyone watched rocket launches and returns,” he said. “I realized it was engineers who made that possible.”
The second of eight children, Manny grew up in El Paso after his parents immigrated from Mexico in 1959. His father, a carpenter, instilled in him the value of hard work and building something from the ground up. A high school math teacher helped point him toward engineering, and Manny chose NMSU for its strong, hands-on program.
Through the university’s cooperative education program with the U.S. Navy, Manny alternated semesters of coursework with professional experience in Newport, R.I., an opportunity that helped launch his career. Along the way, mentors like engineering professor Dr. George Lucky encouraged him to keep pushing forward “until the light bulb turned on.”
During this time, Manny and Alexandra, high school sweethearts from El Paso, built a life rooted in shared values. She grew up the daughter of a bakery owner, decorating cakes beginning at the age of 12 and learning early on the value of hard work and dedication to family and community. They married the year after his 1983 graduation.
Taking His Degree to New Heights
After earning his degree in electrical engineering, Manny joined Motorola, where his career quickly accelerated. At 27, he led a 120-member team on the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), becoming the company’s first Hispanic electrical engineering section manager.
While leadership didn’t come naturally, his ability to communicate clearly and bring people together did — skills shaped in part by working alongside his father in construction.
His work helping turn prototype systems into operational technology earned him Motorola’s prestigious Engineering Award, given to fewer than 2% of its engineers and scientists.
Over a 40-year career, Manny went on to hold senior leadership roles at General Dynamics Mission Systems and, in 2025, was named president and CEO of Kymeta. His work has spanned space exploration, GPS, satellite communications and intelligence systems, all fields that demand both technical expertise and bold thinking.
Paying it Forward
For the Moras, giving back is deeply personal. Their investment reflects what Manny valued most as a student: hands-on learning, mentorship and preparation for life beyond graduation, while also inviting others to support the future of engineering at NMSU.
An Aggie-at-heart, Alexandra has long supported NMSU and advocated for student-led initiatives, including Aggies Without Limits. This latest gift reflects the Mora family’s gratitude for the life-changing opportunities they found through the College of Engineering and their desire to create those same opportunities for future Aggies.
“If I were a student, I’d want to know someone believes in me enough to invest in these spaces,” Alexandra said. “It’s amazing to think a stranger believes in you so you can go out and change the world.”
Beyond the Classroom
Their generosity extends well beyond facilities. Committed to expanding access and opportunity, the Moras support Aggies Without Limits, a program that sends students abroad to design and build essential infrastructure in underserved communities.
In 2025, they further strengthened that commitment by establishing the Manuel and Alejandra Mora Bright Journeys Endowment, creating lasting support for students who need additional resources to pursue these transformative experiences.
“We do this because we want students to inspire change, to bring goodness into the world,” Alexandra said.
Together, their investments tell a unified story grounded in belief in human potential. Whether through modern learning spaces or programs that remove barriers, Manny and Alexandra Mora are helping students dream bigger, reach farther and build lives of purpose.
“NMSU changed the trajectory of my life,” Manny said. “I want other students to have that same opportunity, to see where hard work and someone believing in you can take them.”
In the Mora Family Capstone Rooms, that vision is already taking shape as students step into places designed to challenge, support and prepare them to lead.
Engineer the future. Invest in the new NMSU College of Engineering at alwaysanaggie.org/donate/thomas-and-brown.