New Mexico State University Alamogordo

Jay Lopez was selected from a pool of high achieving students for this award. They are majoring in Engineering Technology and have served in the Student Government as Secretary for 2022-23 and as President for 2023-24. They also served as Vice President for the STEM Club from 2022-23. They played an integral role in restoring the student government of NMSU-A and have taken the initiative to organize various campus-wide events that promote a welcoming atmosphere for students. These events include mental health awareness workshops, campus resource fairs, student mixers, community gardens, and initiatives related to food and water security on campus. Lopez also volunteers to set up and demonstrate STEM activities for high school students in the local school district when they visit the campus. Additionally, they work as peer mentors for students under the RC3 program, providing students with one-on-one assistance with applications, enrollment, registration, resources, financial aid, and more. Apart from their efforts on campus. Lopez is a passionate advocate for community outreach. Since January of 2023, they have been working with Many Hands - Alamogordo Public Land for Food to establish community gardens and other food security resources in all districts of Alamogordo.

RaNee was selected as a member of the ALL-New Mexico Academic Team for two-year colleges for the year 2024. She was nominated by the All-USA Academic Team Selection Committee co-chairs, James Gallagher, and Sonja de Vargas. The selection was based on academic excellence, campus and community service, and leadership abilities. RaNee is a Crimson Scholar named to the Dean's List. She is serving as the current interim President of Phi Theta Kappa. She is also involved in Student Government and the Art Club. RaNee works as the Mental and Behavior Mentor for NMSU-A's RC3 program and helped develop three safe zones on campus: one for studying and socializing, another as a therapeutic setting, and another, the Veteran's Lounge. She also oversees the self-care bins on campus; an initiative she worked on as a Student Assistant with RC3. In the community, RaNee is a member of 100% Otero and serves as the NMSU-A representative for the Otero County Community Health Center. As a winner of the award, RaNee received a medallion, and a certificate from Phi Theta Kappa. a proclamation of her achievement by the New Mexico State House and Senate, and a two-year tuition scholarship to NMSU. In addition, she is now eligible to compete for national honors as a potential All-USA team member.

By attending the NMSU-A Spring 2024 Eat and Complete event on March 6, 2024. You officially declared that you will finish out the Spring 2024 Semester. We want you to know how proud of you we are. Committing to this shows not only to others but to yourself why your academic career matters.