Scholarships allowed this new NMSU grad to make the most of every opportunity at NMSU!

Khale Lucero ’25 knows all about hard work. From Blanco and Bloomfield, NM, Khale’s grandpa, father, uncles, and siblings all earned their living in the oil fields. It wasn’t easy, and Khale’s father and uncle had to take jobs 500 miles away, sometimes returning home a mere six days a month.

In high school, Khale only had time for studying, sports, and 4-H, and Khale excelled in all three. He was in the National Honor Society, played football (New Mexico First Team All-State Right Tackle in 2021), was a track and field thrower, and was on the trapshooting team.

Khale’s family thrived in a unique home life. For 12 years, they lived at a church in Blanco, residing in the priest’s quarters while caring for the cemetery and preparing the altar for services. Khale says of this community. “All these people were family, even though they weren’t blood.”

A different future

Growing up around livestock, Khale had always wanted to show a steer, and he and his family traded hay from the family farm to raise money for his first steer and cattle. “I raised that steer, showed him, loved him, and my passion for the work became my entire life,” says Khale. When the steer caught pneumonia, Khale took him to Dr. Jennifer Bracken at Animal Haven Clinic in Farmington. “She saved that steer’s life and saved my dream.”

The experience galvanized Khale’s passion for urgent animal care, especially large-animal care. He took a part-time job at the veterinary clinic and realized the extreme need: “Where I live, most people have to transport their animals to Colorado for treatment, which is financially out-of-reach for many, or rely on home remedies, which may not help the animal.” So, he decided to become a veterinarian.

Steering a course for success

NMSU was not Khale’s first choice; in fact, he had never heard of NMSU until he began researching colleges. But, he says, “When I learned about the pre-veterinary program, that hooked me right there and then.”

Although confident in his choice, finding tuition money added to his stress. He knew that he would need to work and find scholarships so that his parents wouldn’t have to sacrifice more than necessary: “My family is my entire life. They got me here. College was my choice, so it was on me to be as financially mature and responsible as possible.” So, Khale worked through high school to fund his education and spent summers working at Animal Haven Veterinary Clinic.

Thriving through scholarships

At NMSU, Khale threw himself into college life, taking advantage of every opportunity, especially in the College of ACES. Khale worked in Dr. Craig Gifford’s laboratory and was a resident assistant in the Cervantes Village dormitory and the ACES Live & Learn community in Garcia Hall. He has been a leader in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, worked as an ACES student ambassador and a 4-H mentor, and served as vice president of the ACES council. Last, but not least, he was chosen as Mr. ACES in the 2023 ACES Week pageant.

Khale is quick to tell you he couldn’t have accomplished so much without scholarships. “It’s really humbling,” he says. “Asking for help is hard, but when you receive it, all of a sudden the stress is gone, and it changes your world.”

Khale’s NMSU scholarships included the Kyler Beaty Endowed Memorial Scholarship, the Adrian Berryhill Family Scholarship, the John Allen Carter Memorial Scholarship, the Clement Hendricks Memorial Scholarship, the Agriculture and Home Economics General College Scholarship, and the NM Hay Association Scholarship, plus he received many outside scholarships.

“I [did] my best to repay their generosity by being the good student they want to support,” Khale adds. “Thanks to scholarships, I didn’t need to work extra hours or get a second job. I’ve had so many experiences . . . that I couldn’t have had otherwise — memories don’t get paid for.”

Khale’s next steps

For Khale, success comes back to values. “What I’m proudest of is just being here at NMSU, surviving, and maintaining my character through challenges that landed in my path.” He continues, “Because of my devotion to improving the health of animals, people, and the planet, I make the most of every opportunity. My values, family, and lived experiences remind me of my purpose.”

And Khale plans to pay it forward. “Being a donor is something I hope to do when I am in the place financially to do so. I understand how stressful finances can be for students.”

Khale’s next stop? The Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo, Texas, where he’ll be a proud member of the class of 2029. Congratulations, Khale!

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