'New Mexico Highlands University' ('NMHU') is a
university located in
Las Vegas,
New Mexico. Dr. James A. Fries is the president.
NMHU is notable for enrolling a majority
Hispanic student body.
History
The university was first established as 'New Mexico Normal School' in 1893, with the prominent
archaeologist Edgar Lee Hewett serving as its first president. The institution became 'New Mexico Normal University' in 1902, and then New Mexico Highlands University in 1941, as it expanded its role beyond teacher education. Today, NMHU offers graduate and undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, education, and social work.
Located in the heart of
Las Vegas, a city with a population of about 18,000, Highlands’ main campus is close to recreational and wilderness areas, and within an hour's drive of Santa Fe and 2 hours from Albuquerque.
The majority of the school's approximately 3,500 students are from
New Mexico and are
Hispanic. Highlands’ programs focus on its multi-ethnic student body, especially the
Hispanic and
Native American cultures distinctive of
New Mexico.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. NMHU also has specialty accreditations. The School of Education is accredited by the
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The School of Business is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (
ACBSP). The School of Social Work
is accredited by the
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Educational Opportunities
'Undergraduate Degrees'
★ Anthropology
★ Art
★ Art Pre-Professional
★ Biology
★ Business Administration
★ Chemistry
★ Computer Science
★ Criminal Justice Studies
★ Design Studies
★ Early Childhood Education
★ Elementary Education
★ English
★ Environmental Geology
★ Exercise and Sport Science
★ Forestry
★ General Science for Secondary School Teachers
★ Health
★ History
★ Indo-Hispano Cultural Studies
★ Mass Communications
★ Math and Computer Science for Elementary School Teachers
★ Math and Computer Science for Secondary School Teachers
★ Mathematics
★ Music
★ Physics
★ Political Science
★ Psychology
★ Social Studies
★ Social Work
★ Sociology
★ Software Development
★ Spanish Heritage
★ Special Education
★ Visual Communication Design
★ Watershed Management
'Graduate Degrees'
★ Applied Chemistry
★ Business Administration
★ Education
★ English
★ Human Performance and Sport
★ Life Science
★ Media Arts and Computer Science
★ Psychology
★ Public Affairs
★ Social Work
★ Southwest Studies
Athletics
NMHU's athletic teams are nicknamed the 'Cowboys' and compete in the
NCAA's Division II's
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Ten varsity athletics programs are offered included track, volleyball, basketball, and
college football. Former WWE Champion
Eddie Guerrero wrestled there on an athletic scholarship.
Branch Campuses
In the 1997-1998 academic year New Mexico Highlands University established an extended learning center in
Rio Rancho which began offering upper division undergraduate and graduate courses in business, accounting, education, and social work. The center continues with classes in those areas and has added studies in criminal justice, public affairs administration, computer science and general and school counseling.
There are also many other branch campuses, including in
Santa Fe,
Farmington,
Taos,
Raton and
Espanola.
Miscellany
The campus can be seen in the movie ''
Red Dawn'' as the town of Las Vegas substituted for a fictional community of
Calumet,
Colorado. Also can be seen in the
John Carpenter film "
Vampires".
External links
★
NMHU Homepage
★
Donnelly Library