׉?ׁB!בCט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://5PYu6UE0eMGBo3Zi3at_ELKNuzo1L-RxgeM74RIvO-0 e`׉	 7cassandra://Vw6AERMM1M5v9eJD0QAbxVw956sHOvaI7nSn7UBiLMgr`s׉	 7cassandra://6TGAukZf1QCffwiqR0Z1wFaT-2bD69iGz5dzRVUqdbo*2` f]me̿ט   (u׈   }\  ׈Ef]me̭׉E The Bottom Line | College of Business
Shaping the Future
of BUSINESS
2023 Annual Report
BE BOLD. Shape the Future.®
New Mexico State University
׉	 7cassandra://6TGAukZf1QCffwiqR0Z1wFaT-2bD69iGz5dzRVUqdbo*2` f]me̮f]me̭(בCט   (u׉׉	 7cassandra://7rEkPnYwjVZERKtYiF3OHc-I3Lgw7zVjiwcmMAczh9I oS`iq׉	 7cassandra://k-vhs-m6eZeNjHzUenv4lccDSijBZQABiFTl3Iqk8jkc`׉	 7cassandra://hlqcZ6v0ZsRoS_Z5L7kocFTsPbBRbq00WvrHi8rwex8I` f]me׉EFROM THE DEAN
Journey to success continues
G
reetings from Las Cruces! 2023 was
an exciting year of growth and
engagement for the College of
Business, starting with the successful
extension of accreditation for our business
and accounting programs with the
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools
of Business for the next five years. The
AACSB is the world’s premier business
school accrediting body, with just under 6%
of worldwide business programs holding
this accreditation. Credit for this belongs to
the College of Business faculty, staff and
leadership team. Congrats to all!
We also finalized a set of strategic
initiatives to guide us through the next
few years. These initiatives will focus
upon external engagement, professional
development, curriculum improvement and
The AACSB is the
world’s premier
business school
accrediting body,
with just under
6% of worldwide
business
programs
holding this
accreditation.
our largest Hall of Fame dinner in years,
honoring COB alumni Angela Throneberry
(’87) and Brian Colón (’98) and our
Corporate Trader awardee, the Rocky
Mountain RIMS chapter. In November,
we helped honor COB alum Charlie
Rogers (’63) as he received the NMSU
Distinguished Alumni award.
2023 was also a year of internal
Dean Bryan Ashenbaum
research enhancement, and will propel
us on our journey to be the destination
business college in the Southwest
and Borderlands. In support of this
vision and these initiatives, we have
just launched the Center for Student
Professional Development, which will
provide programming to help students
build their book of “soft skills” that are
the hallmark of poised and confident
professionals.
This year, we engaged with our
alumni through multiple channels and
events and continued the successful
launch of the College of Business
Executive Speaker Series. In 2023, this
series brought Roy Trujillo (’89, COO,
Transperfect), Kevin Johnson (’81,
former CEO, Starbucks) and Emil Barr
(CEO, StepUp Social) to campus to
engage with students, faculty and the
community. In September, we held
changes. Dr. Kevin Melendrez returned as
the department head for Accounting and
Information Systems. He has been joined
on the leadership team by new department
heads: Dr. Winnie Lee (Economics, Applied
Statistics, International Business); Dr.
Rebecca Scott (Management); professor
Paula Groves (Finance, interim); and
effective Feb. 1, 2024, Dr. John Zhu
(Marketing). In July, we hired Lourdes
Alvarado-Salas as an assistant dean and
business director, and in the fall, Dr. Carlo
Mora-Monge assumed the role of associate
dean for research and graduate programs,
after eight years as Management department
head. Dr. Mora-Monge is profiled in the
following pages, and we hope to have all of
our leadership team “introduced” to you in
future installments.
I hope you enjoy the profiles of faculty,
students, programs and alumni in the pages
that follow, and as always, we hope to see
you in Las Cruces soon!
Bryan Ashenbaum
Dean, College of Business
Table of Contents
Teaching profile ..................................................1
Faculty profile ...................................................2
Endowed chair ...................................................3
Research profile ................................................4
Hall of Fame .......................................................5
Program profile
................................................6
Student profiles .................................................8
Scholarship profile ......................................... 10
Donor profile ..................................................... 11
Alumni profile ...................................................12
Business Advisory Council ............................13
PHOTO BY JOSH BACHMAN
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Erin Baca Blaugrund prioritizes mentorship
and student growth
by Elizabeth McCall
believer that if you set your sights on something, you can have it
without stepping on toes and do it in the right way. You just have
to want it enough and you have to be perseverant enough. I want to
instill that in my students, and I want them to know nothing comes
without hard work.”
Blaugrund teaches undergraduate courses in marketing principles,
retail management, consumer behavior, personal selling and social
media marketing, and teaches graduate courses in marketing
concepts and marketing management. She is also the director of the
Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate program and the Ethics
Boot Camp.
“Our goal and our initiative are to spread ethics throughout
business curriculums and the university,” she said. “What we’re
presenting is thought processes in terms of what it means to take
accountability for your actions or be transparent and get students to
understand principle-based ethics, and the relationship to business
and their everyday lives.”
When Blaugrund was an Aggie student, she was president of
NMSU’s American Marketing Association and competed in its case
competition. She is now the adviser for the organization.
“The organization itself is a support group from freshmen all the
Erin Baca Blaugrund, a marketing professor at NMSU’s College of Business, has
provided students with ethical and educational mentorship. She received her
bachelor’s and master’s degree in marketing from NMSU and a Ph.D. in marketing
from the University of Mississippi.
T
hrough her roles at NMSU, Erin Baca Blaugrund has
provided students with ethical and educational mentorship.
Since 2013, Blaugrund has been a marketing professor at
NMSU’s College of Business. She received her bachelor’s and master’s
degree in marketing from NMSU and a Ph.D. in marketing from the
University of Mississippi.
As an alum, Blaugrund always knew she wanted to return and
teach at NMSU. She directs multiple programs within the College
of Business and motivates students to get involved with marketing
because of the numerous benefits it presents.
“I had originally chosen my major as finance, and then I took a
marketing class and I didn’t know really anything about marketing, but
I just fell in love with it,” Blaugrund said. “Marketing is a very versatile
major, and there is a lot of different things you can do with it.”
Blaugrund will always be there for her students because she
knows from experience the difference it can make in student growth.
If it had not been for the encouragement from one of her previous
NMSU professors, Pookie Sautter, she would not have been inspired
to pursue her Ph.D.
“Mentorship is really important to me,” she said. “I am a big
way through senior year,” she said. “It creates like a family, and it’s
really good to see that part of it. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s difficult, and
it’s challenging. I just love my role as the director of these initiatives.”
Apart from these programs, Blaugrund said the College of Business
houses countless opportunities that provide an environment of positive
change and reinforcement for students to improve their outlook.
“I think that is one thing in the College of Business that we’re
really trying to facilitate with our students and trying to get them to
understand, we want the best for them, because they are a reflection
of us,” she said. “I think the College of Business is an amazing place
to be.”
What we’re presenting
is thought processes in
terms of what it means
to take accountability
for your actions or be
transparent...
New Mexico State University – College of Business | 2023 Annual Report – The Bottom Line 1
COURTESY PHOTO
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Commitment to
CHANGE
D
Carlo Mora-Monge builds
career by serving in new role at
College of Business
by Tatiana Favela
edicated to building a successful career at the College of
Business, Carlo Mora-Monge has been an important asset to
the college’s mission of helping students and faculty pursue
their highest potential for over 20 years.
Mora-Monge joined the college in 2003 as an assistant professor
of information systems, received his promotion to associate
professor with tenure in 2009, and was promoted to full professor
in 2016. Throughout his journey at NMSU, he has achieved several
milestones that carried him to his role as the head of the Department
of Management, which he has held since 2015. Additionally, he
received the outstanding junior faculty research award in the college
in 2006 and held the Wells Fargo and John Loveland distinguished
professor chairs from 2018–2020 and 2020–present, respectively.
As department head, Mora-Monge said his job is to serve
students, faculty, and other constituents to ensure they can deliver
high-quality education for students.
“In the Department of Management, we offer two undergraduate
majors (Management and General Business) and three highly
popular and sought-after concentrations (Project and Supply Chain
Management, Human Resource Management, and Small Business
Management and Entrepreneurship). We also offer a Ph.D. in Business
Administration (Management concentration) and play a pivotal role in
the MBA program. We serve several hundred students,” he explained.
“Furthermore, I ensure that the department’s strategic orientation
aligns with the college’s vision. I oversee the seamless operation of our
department, addressing a diverse array of issues that steer its strategic
course. This includes managing student concerns, scheduling, budgets,
and faculty-related matters, among others.”
Mora-Monge also serves as the co-director of the Ph.D. program
in business administration with a concentration in management. The
program was established about 30 years ago and is the only Ph.D. in
business administration offered in the state, one of the college’s most
proud accomplishments.
“We have graduated high-talented individuals who have gone on
to have very successful academic careers,” he said. “The continued
success of our doctoral program speaks volumes of the tremendous
faculty that have served in our department and their commitment to
our graduate students. I recently had the honor to be selected as the
college’s Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs.”
One of Mora-Monge’s primary goals in this new role will be to
promote funded research projects in the college.
“My goal will be to facilitate and provide venues for highly
talented faculty to conduct and embark on funded research,” he
said. “Another major task will be to provide strategic oversight to
the graduate programs in the college, including our Ph.D. programs
in Marketing and Management, our unique Doctoral program in
Economic Development, and our master’s programs. We are also very
excited about our new Ph.D. program in Applied Statistics, that will
launch in Fall 2024. I plan to continue to strive for excellence for
these programs.”
His research primarily investigates the link between technology
and business, specifically how technology enables companies to
engage in more effective business practices from a supply chain
perspective. He explained that his research is very applied and has
2 The Bottom Line – 2023 Annual Report | College of Business – New Mexico State University
PHOTO BY JOSH BACHMAN
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through activities and insights.
Mora-Monge’s career has also allowed him to travel and be
involved in professional development activities for other faculty
around the world, including Mexico, Chile, and Costa Rica. “That
has given me a unique perspective because it enhances my ability
to appreciate cultural differences and engage with colleagues from
different backgrounds.”
While looking back at all of his accomplishments, Mora-Monge
ENDOWED CHAIR PROFILE
Charlotte Gard seeks to support junior
faculty as Stan Fulton Chair
C
harlotte Gard knows mentorship
can play a critical role early in a
professor’s career — and that’s why
she’s determined to support junior faculty
members in her role as the Stan Fulton
Chair in Business.
Gard, a biostatistician and associate
professor in NMSU’s Department of
Economics, Applied Statistics, and
International Business, is the latest faculty
member to hold the endowed chair named
after Stan Fulton — one of NMSU’s most
generous donors. NMSU established the
chair in 2006 to enhance the university’s
leadership, reputation, academic programs,
outreach, and research across the fields and
disciplines represented in the College of
Business.
“Part of this endowed chair involves
serving as a mentor and role model for
junior faculty members, and that aspect
greatly appealed to me,” said Gard, who has
been the chairholder since 2021.
Gard will serve as the Stan Fulton chair
through 2025 and has since implemented
several initiatives to support and promote
research efforts among junior faculty
members. One of those initiatives involves
awarding grants to fund small-scale projects.
In February 2024, Gard expects to launch
a new research colloquium series featuring
recipients of Stan Fulton awards.
“I’ve had a fair amount of experience
with funded research,” said Gard, who
joined the College of Business in 2012.
“I’m trying to bring that experience to the
college. Through this chair, I’m hoping I can
do other things to support research among
faculty in the college, particularly among
junior faculty.”
Over her time at NMSU, Gard has
collaborated on several research projects with
investigators from NMSU’s Department of
Public Health Sciences. Those projects have
examined peripartum depression in Doña
Ana County, depression among students
during the COVID-19 pandemic, and
cesarean birth rates among Hispanic women
along the United States-Mexico border
region, among other areas.
Gard, who earned a Ph.D. in biostatistics
from the University of Washington, was the
NMSU lead on a pilot project supported by
NMSU’s Partnership for the Advancement
of Cancer Research. In this project, she
worked with investigators from the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Center to examine
the extent to which breast cancer risk
estimates are impacted by racial and ethnic
differences in the utilization of screening
mammography and biopsy. She also spent
several years updating and revising the
Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium Risk
Calculator — an interactive tool designed
by the consortium’s scientists to estimate a
woman’s five- and ten-year risk of developing
invasive breast cancer.
One of Gard’s other goals as the Stan
Fulton chair is to establish a writing group
for faculty in the College of Business. The
goal is to create a space for faculty to write
and receive feedback in a supportive and
shared that nothing beats the feeling of seeing the impact on the lives
of student’s success in the classroom and after graduation.
“Enhancing our students’ social mobility, making sure that they
have gone on to have successful careers, that would be at the top of
my list. Nothing makes me more proud than seeing first-generation
students succeed in the classroom and then taking those successes to
the business world,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud to be part of
NMSU and the College of Business. I love our students, and I am
deeply committed to the success of NMSU.”
Charlotte Gard, a biostatistician and associate
professor in NMSU’s Department of Economics,
Applied Statistics, and International Business, holds
the Stan Fulton Chair in Business.
comfortable atmosphere. She also is working
to create resources to help other researchers
with their grant proposals.
“These are some of the ideas I had in
mind when I applied for the chair,” she said.
Outside her responsibilities as the Stan
Fulton chair, Gard teaches several statistics
classes, mentors students in the Master of
Science in Applied Statistics and Master of
Data Analytics programs, and serves as the
NMSU biostatistician for the Mountain
West Clinical and Translational Research
Infrastructure Network. She also is a
consultant for the Breast Cancer Surveillance
Consortium.
New Mexico State University – College of Business | 2023 Annual Report – The Bottom Line 3
PHOTO BY JOSH BACHMAN
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Strategizing marketing
by Tatiana Favela
M
arketing can serve as a powerful
catalyst for building a business
or brand, but there’s a depth of
strategic intricacies beyond what initially
meets the eye. One faculty member in the
College of Business has been deep diving
within the field of strategic marketing,
thanks to his entrepreneurial background
and interest in strategic issues.
K.T. Manis, an assistant professor of
K.T. Manis focuses on innovative marketing research through strategy
several projects related to different areas of his research program.
“One project focuses on international capabilities, which extends
my work on capabilities-based research,” he explained. “This
project aims to provide a systematic review of the international
capabilities literature, which will be used to classify different types
of international capabilities and develop a comprehensive model of
antecedents, outcomes and moderators.”
He also is working on other projects that aim to uncover
K.T. Manis
marketing, has been with the College of
Business since 2022, but his research didn’t start there. “The role of
technology and innovation adds a unique dimension to my work –
a passion I’ve cultivated over the years.”
In 2018, Manis earned his Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration
and, in 2022, he earned a Ph.D. in Marketing, both from Texas
Tech University. Since joining NMSU, Manis was nominated and
elected to the Employee Council, where he serves as the website
coordinator on the executive committee. He’s been a frequent
presenter at national and international conferences, and some of his
work appears in the Journal of Business Research, Harvard Business
Review, Journal of Business Logistics, and Journal of Personal Selling &
Sales Management.
The heart of his research aligns with his background, which he
shared is an asset in shaping curriculum and enhancing students’
educational experience.
“Because most of my research is strategy oriented, I find it
easier to incorporate my research into the course MKTG 503:
Marketing Management,” he said. “For example, when discussing
the connection between consumer behavior and marketing strategy,
I incorporate the findings from my co-authored work in the
Journal of Macromarketing, ‘The Interplay between Advertising and
Society: An Historical Analysis.’ I also use my research program on
firm-level capabilities to introduce students to different types of
organizational capabilities and illustrate their importance.”
He added that while much of his work is less consumer oriented,
he’s incorporated his work on materialism and innovativeness into
his other marketing course, MKTG 311V: Consumer Behavior,
when discussing personality traits.
“Above all, across all my courses, I am dedicated to providing
students with essential research skills because a robust foundation
in research is indispensable for making well-informed business
decisions,” Manis shared.
While shaping future marketers and giving them a better
understanding of their potential roles and responsibilities, Manis leads
propositions regarding how artificial intelligence can enable
marketers at different organizational levels and their tasks.
“The other essay conceptualizes and operationalizes ‘technologyenabled
strategic marketing capability,’ then tests it as a key
mediator in a comprehensive model of antecedents, outcomes and
moderators,” he said.
While conducting innovative research may be bumpy at times, Manis
shared that NMSU provides many valuable opportunities and resources
for faculty and graduate students to engage in various endeavors.
“The Department of Marketing within the College of Business
has a fantastic behavioral lab that can be used to conduct behavioral
studies in a controlled environment,” he said. “Additionally, the
College of Business extends a rich array of databases and specialized
tools, tailored to diverse research interests. These resources serve as
crucial aids, offering a vast toolbox for researchers to delve deeper
into their specific areas of inquiry.”
NMSU not only provides tools to conduct successful research,
but also has funding opportunities to advance studies, such as the
Fulton Mini-Grant. “The Fulton Mini-Grant has been instrumental
in helping my colleagues and me undertake research using Nexus
Data Labs for text mining,” Manis shared. “In summary, the
resources and support provided by NMSU’s College of Business
help faculty uncover groundbreaking insights that push the
boundaries of business research.”
Manis added that the College of Business offers more than just
an education for students; it offers a dynamic research community
that provides cutting-edge knowledge, faculty expertise, practical
application and skill development.
“The coursework within the College of Business incorporates
real-world challenges and opportunities, allowing students to apply
their theoretical knowledge to solve business problems,” he said.
“This practical approach to learning not only enriches student
understanding but also hones their problem-solving skills.”
Overall, Manis shared that his overarching goal when conducting
research is to continue NMSU’s goal and mission by publishing in
leading business journals on topics that he, practitioners and other
scholars, find interesting, relevant, and useful.
4 The Bottom Line – 2023 Annual Report | College of Business – New Mexico State University
COURTESY PHOTO
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2023
Photos by Jack Diven
Two alumni from New Mexico State University’s
College of Business received recognition in
September 2023 for their impact in the business
community and career milestones as they were
inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame.
Angela Throneberry, former NMSU senior vice
president for administration and finance, and
former New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colón
were honored by the college at the annual Hall
of Fame ceremony. The college also gave its
Corporate Traders’ Award to the Rocky Mountain
Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management
Society.
NMSU’s College of Business takes pride in
recognizing outstanding alumni who have
distinguished themselves in their careers and
contribute their success to the education
received at the college. The annual Hall of Fame
Award honors those alumni and creates visibility
while highlighting a strong relationship with the
business community.
New Mexico State University – College of Business | 2023 Annual Report – The Bottom Line 5
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Center of Supply Chain Entrepreneurship
program sets up students for success
by Tatiana Favela
W
hether you’re shopping for groceries locally or ordering
products online, the process of supply chain
management impacts consumers daily. It’s important to
know the ropes of an effective and timely supply chain, and students
in the College of Business can get hands-on experience in this area
through the Center for Supply Chain Entrepreneurship program.
The program, initiated in 2021, aims to connect local, national
and international businesses to College of Business faculty and
students. The objective is to drive, create and enhance supply chain
entrepreneurial activity in the areas of supply chain management,
artificial intelligence and business
analytics solutions.
“We’re trying to establish NMSU
Victor Pimentel
as the regional school for supply
chain,” said Victor Pimentel,
assistant professor of supply chain/
business analytics and director of
CSCE program. “We’re fighting for
new classes. We’re fighting to get
more students in the major. We’re
working with students and taking
them on trips, competitions and trainings. Once they graduate
from our program, they end up doing great.”
Students who have participated in these competitions
have garnered attention from top business leaders and
innovators around the world, some of whom have visited
NMSU.
“Last fall, we took four of our undergraduate students to
the 2023 GM/WSU Case Competition, hosted by the Mike
Ilitch School of Business’ Global Supply Chain Management
department in Detroit for the ‘best supply chain programs in
the country,’ and we demolished the competition,” Pimentel said.
“They’re having those interactions with massive players. We had the
former CEO of Starbucks visit the college. I also had the CEO of
one of the largest real estate companies in Arizona, who’s worth $1
billion, come into my class, and he said he was impressed with our
kids. They’re rubbing shoulders with the right players and learning
from people who have done it.”
Some of Pimentel’s graduate students are working to boost their
research with local companies and have been publishing studies.
“We recently won a presidential award for one of our papers,
[title here],” he shared. “Our students are getting good jobs,
recognized, and also some come back to us with job opportunities
for current students. It’s been a lot of work, but we can see how it’s
been paying off.”
One of the most unique and beneficial aspects of studying in the
CSCE program is having access to one of the largest ports of entry
for supply chain at the United States-Mexico border.
“We have one place, which is Mexico, and the other, which
is the U.S., and just making that across can be a pain if you
don’t know how to do it properly,” Pimentel
6 The Bottom Line – 2023 Annual Report | College of Business – New Mexico State University
PHOTO BY JOSH BACHMAN
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Lear Corporation maquiladora in Juárez, Mexico, in early 2023, and
we sat with the global vice president of the company. We presented
our research, received a tour of the plant, and they spent two hours
just chatting.”
Pimentel shared that this kind of experience for students boosts
their drive to pursue their passions and motivates them to keep
going.
“They’re taking lessons not only from their professors, but from
people who have lived that life,” he shared. “As they interact with
these people, they understand that there’s no glass ceiling for them.
It’s very inspirational for us because they realize the potential they
have, and there’s nothing they can’t accomplish if they really want it.”
Many students have gone on to make the business world a better
place after graduation, and many have returned to the College of
Business to share their stories and help others climb that same ladder.
“There’s no greater joy for us involved in the program than to see
our students succeed,” Pimentel said. “When your former students
and come back and still want to pitch in or help the younger cubs
to grow and inspire them, that’s why we do what we do. For me
personally, that’s why I’m a professor. I want my students to succeed.”
Pimentel said it is inspiring to see where some of his students
started and where they were able to go with some of the expertise
they received during their time in the CSCE program.
“We have an alum from NASA who debriefs with us every
month, and they want to hire some of our students,” he shared. “I
have one student who used to work construction with her dad since
she was 4 years old. Last summer, she took her mom to Europe for
eight weeks. So, a little bit of change of pace, but that’s what we
want. You learn about their stories, what inspires them and what
their ambitions and goals are. It’s nice to be a part of their journey,
and it’s the reason why I’m at NMSU – to help the kids achieve their
dreams.”
As for the future of the program, Pimentel expressed that it will
continue to help students succeed, not only with their career
dreams, but life in general.
“It’s a very fun and fulfilling career that allows you to
travel, meet new people, and engage with several industries
at the same time. It’s well paid, well respected, and I
don’t see how a student who gets in the supply chain
field wouldn’t have a full life,” he said. “Geographically
speaking, we cannot be in a better place right now. It’s
only going to create more business and job opportunities
for our students. We’re very excited for what’s coming.”
There’s no
greater joy for
us involved in
the program
than to see
our students
succeed.
Designed by vectorjuice/Freepik
New Mexico State University – College of Business | 2023 Annual Report – The Bottom Line 7
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STUDENT PROFILES
Compiled by Tatiana Favela and Carlos Andres López
Jessica Beltran
Jessica Beltran was a student at Santa Teresa High
School when she found herself drawn to the creative
world of marketing. Eager to study the field in
college, Beltran made her way to NMSU,
where she found the ideal program that
suited her interests – and much more – in
the College of Business.
As an undergraduate student, Beltran
completed three bachelor’s degrees in
marketing, accounting and Spanish in under
four years. She is now pursuing a master’s degree
in business administration and working for NMSU’s
Marketing and Communications office as a student social
media content producer.
“I want a career in digital marketing or social media,”
she said. “Ideally, I want to work in the concert industry or
publishing, and I think my education and experiences at
NMSU are setting me up for success down that path.”
Beltran came into her role with NMSU’s Marketing
and Communications office by sharing TikTok videos with
the university’s official account. She saw an opportunity to
gain critical experience in social media and started creating
videos on a voluntary basis. A year later, she accepted a
paid position with the department’s social media team.
Since then, NMSU’s official TikTok account has more
than doubled its followers.
Beltran, who participated in NMSU’s chapter of the
American Marketing Association as an undergraduate
student, expects to complete her master’s degree in August
2024. At that time, she will have spent five years at NMSU.
“Being here so many years, I’ve come to enjoy the
community spirit,” she said. “I’ve become close with
faculty, staff and fellow students from the College of
Business – it’s such a close-knit college.”
Alex Duran
Already on a journey of professional growth in the College of
Business, Alex Duran has taken on many roles while working toward
his degree and future career in business.
“During my time, I have become the Business
Council president, an ASNMSU senator for the
College of Business, and a very knowledgeable
individual in the world of business,” he shared.
Duran, a junior pursuing his bachelor’s degree in
the professional golf management and marketing, said
the college has tremendously helped prepare him for the
world of business, get a sense of professionalism, and become
successful after he graduates. He and other students feel a sense of
belonging and welcome, he added
“The faculty that you find in the COB is beyond amazing,
especially when you take time out of your day to go speak to them,”
he said. “It really is amazing to know the knowledge and experience
of what the professors have at NMSU. The students are also second
to none when it comes to culture.”
As Duran continues down his path of success, he encourages all
students to take advantage of all the opportunities offered in the
college and at NMSU, including seeking lifelong friendships.
“At the end of the day, when we leave the doors of NMSU and go
into our lives, our friendships that we create today are all part of life’s
good story that we all get one chance at,” he said.
8 The Bottom Line – 2023 Annual Report | College of Business – New Mexico State University
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the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Case Competition.
To utilize her emphasis in marketing, she also works for
the college in collaboration with NMSU’s Marketing
and Communications office to manage its social media
platforms.
“The faculty and staff members go above and beyond
to be accessible not just in the classroom, but for outside
mentorship and encouragement to help students,”
Hendricks said. “For me, the close-knit relationships that
I have made within the college has been a tremendous
blessing and continues to help guide me with my college
journey.”
After college, Hendricks hopes to travel, volunteer for
different causes, freelance with her digital marketing skills
to work for both small and large companies and pursue
entrepreneurial endeavors. She also dreams of pursuing
her minor in dance by working for a nonprofit dance
program.
Bailey Perkins
The ideal day for Bailey Perkins involves
nothing more than working with numbers,
spreadsheets and contracts – which are like
pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to Perkins, who
came to NMSU in 2019 to study finance
in the College of Business.
“I truly enjoy and love working with
finance and accounting and doing all of the
numbers for Excel and spreadsheeting,” Perkins
said. “I know a lot of people that hate it, but my dream
day is getting to spend hours on Excel.”
Originally from Farmington, New Mexico, Perkins
channeled those interests into school and earned a
bachelor’s degree in finance in May 2023. Soon after,
she began working as a financial specialist for NMSU’s
Division of Student Success, a role in which she helps
oversee finances for the Department of Student Life. She
Hannah Hendricks
As a third-year NMSU College of Business student, Hannah
Hendricks expressed her gratitude toward the college for its role in
her success and goals.
“Being a NMSU College of Business student has opened so many
doors for me that otherwise I would not have received,” Hendricks
said. “The networking experience with my peers as well
as professionals in the field has helped prepare me
for my career and has helped my professional
skills drastically improve.
Hendricks is a College of Business student
ambassador, has been the vice president
of philanthropy for the NMSU American
also started a master’s program in business administration with a
concentration in finance.
For Perkins, it was an easy decision to stay at NMSU for graduate
school.
“I’ve made a lot of good friends who are still going to school here,
so I felt continuing my education here would be a great opportunity
to build up the little community that I’d created,” she said.
As an undergraduate student, Perkins worked for the Associated
Students of NMSU and was a member of NMSU’s Financial Student
Association. “At NMSU, I think there’s a very much so a real-world
focus that’s in all of my classes that I’ve taken,” she said.
Perkins is working to complete her master’s degree by 2025 and
may apply to law school afterward.
New Mexico State University – College of Business | 2023 Annual Report – The Bottom Line 9
PHOTO BY JOSH BACHMAN
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Supporting future scholars
by Tatiana Favela
Michael Anaya starts Joe Anaya Memorial Scholarship
H
onoring his father’s legacy of
supporting higher education,
NMSU College of Business alumnus
Michael F. D. Anaya is giving back to
students in his own way by providing the Joe
Anaya Memorial Scholarship.
“My father was a true role model for me,
along with my mother, Grace Anaya,” he
shared. “They allowed me to attend NMSU
without the burden of debt. I wanted to
honor his memory by giving back to others
in my own way, even if it’s just a little.”
The scholarship, created in 2022,
supports undergraduate and graduate
students in the College of Business. In 2001,
Anaya graduated and received his bachelor’s
degree in business computer systems and
finance through the College of Business.
He’s also an active member of the Business
Advisory Council, and visits NMSU twice a
year for BAC meetings.
“I have strong ties to Las Cruces, as
I grew up there and have family in the
area. It’s a special place, and I always look
forward to visiting whenever
possible,” he said. “When
I do, I always bring my
immediate family, especially
my two eldest boys.”
Anaya believes
supporting students in
the College of Business is
essential because they are the
future of the business world
and can offer a unique
perspective and skillset that
can have a significant impact
on the workforce. So far,
the Joe Anaya Memorial
Scholarship has benefited
five students in the College
of Business in the 2023 –
2023 academic year.
“By investing in their education and
NMSU College of Business alumnus Michael F. D. Anaya is giving back to
students in his own way by providing the Joe Anaya Memorial Scholarship.
...we can
ensure they
are prepared
to face the
challenges of a
rapidly changing
economy.
providing resources to help them succeed,
we can ensure they are prepared to face the
challenges of a rapidly changing economy,”
he explained. “Additionally, supporting
COB students can lead to a more
diverse and inclusive business
community, which is crucial
for creating a sustainable and
equitable future.”
As for prospective students
and alums, Anaya reminds
them that they can achieve great
things, but it may not always be
an easy task. He said it is possible
to overcome obstacles with hard
work, perseverance and luck
while being well-aligned.
“Luck can take on many
forms. It can be the lead
applicants dropping out
of contention, resulting in
you getting a call to start
interviewing,” Anaya said. “It
can be missing your connection
in Dallas, resulting in a
conversation with the CFO of Palo Alto
Networks while they are awaiting their
flight, too. Every successful person I know
has benefitted from luck, though they may
not broadcast it. But the real key to success
isn’t just hard work, perseverance and luck;
it’s also being well-aligned.”
Anaya is currently the founder of
“decodingCyber.com” and the global director
of attribution at Palo Alto Networks. He
shared that the College of Business has
helped him explore what success looked and
felt like.
“My goal was challenging, especially as
my classes became more difficult,” he said.
“I learned that my hard work resulted in
my desired outcome, which made me want
more success in college and life. Eventually,
it would lead me to pursue a lifelong dream
of joining the FBI as a Special Agent, having
three beautiful boys, and starting my own
company.”
Anaya also urged students to not be
afraid of failure. “For failure is not the end
but rather an opportunity to learn and
grow,” he said.
10 The Bottom Line – 2023 Annual Report | College of Business – New Mexico State University
COURTESY PHOTO
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Giving back globally
by Tatiana Favela
F
or over a decade, College of Business
alumna Margaret Hardin has kept
her family’s tradition of giving back
to NMSU students by broadening their
horizons to pursue opportunities around the
globe.
In 2013, she established the Stephen
Hardin Endowed International Travel
scholarship, an award that supports one or
more students in support of international
business travel or study abroad experience
approved by the College of Business. This
came after her family established the Stephen
Hardin Memorial Endowed Scholarship
in 2011, which supports undergraduate or
graduate students with a declared major in
civil engineering or engineering technologycivil.
“My
mother created a scholarship in
memory of my father, who graduated from
the College of Engineering. Then, I created a
scholarship inside the College of Business to
help students
pursue
international
Margaret Hardin
opportunities,”
Hardin said. “At
the start of
COVID, I was
looking how to
continue giving
to the university
and
Margaret Hardin seeks to help students gain worldwide experience
simultaneously started learning about
transformative philanthropy via the Center
for Effective Philanthropy. The main insight
was that non-restrictive giving could be used
by the university to achieve their most
important goals. My current pledge is
non-restricted funds to the College of
Business to help the dean support students
as they look for internships and full-time job
opportunities.”
Hardin earned her bachelor’s degree in
economics and business computer systems
at NMSU in 1994. During her academic
journey, she shared that she had the privilege
of being a student grader for Sherry Mills,
a former professor of accounting, which
transformed her career path. However,
Mills wasn’t the only one who helped pave
Hardin’s way.
“Dr. Mills was one of several professors
who were key advocates and mentors for
me and helped set me on my career path,”
Hardin shared. “Dr. Wayne Headrick
helped me get an internship at IBM. Dr.
James Peach in the economics department
taught my absolutely favorite course:
macro-economics. Realizing how much I
enjoyed economics is what set me in motion
to attend the Chicago Booth School of
Business, which ultimately led to a career at
Procter & Gamble, followed by executive
roles at Munchkin and Ergobaby.”
“For me, seeing positive outcomes is
incredibly rewarding,” Hardin shared.
“When the NMSU Foundation and
the colleges started sending letters from
the students receiving scholarships, that
increased the connection my family felt to
the university. In addition, a true moment
of joy and gratitude happened recently when
I attended the 1888 Society Luncheon and
the featured speaker was Nayla Salinas, a
student from the College of Engineering.
Nayla is a recipient of one of our family
scholarships and her speech brought the
room to their feet. To be a very small part of
her journey is a dream.”
Hardin is a member of the College’s
Business Advisory Council and is a native
of Las Cruces. She currently resides in Los
Angeles and serves as a board director and
advisor for public and private companies.
She shared that it’s important for her to
support College of Business students as it
fully aligns with her philanthropic values of
creating transformational opportunities for
under-served people.
“NMSU is an incredible university
with a strong mission of supporting firstgeneration
college admits as well as a diverse
population,” she said. “It’s an easy yes.”
She highly encourages alumni to start
giving back as early as possible in any
amount possible, so that the money can
be put to use today to help NMSU and its
students.
New Mexico State University – College of Business | 2023 Annual Report – The Bottom Line 11
COURTESY PHOTO
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Alumnus devotes career to helping others
preserve and grow their finances
by Carlos Andres López
hanks to the strength of world equity markets, the wealth
management sector in the United States has experienced
unprecedented gains in recent years. In 2023, assets under
management in this burgeoning market topped $58 billion in the
U.S., and federal labor statistics show wealth management jobs
growing by 13% over the next decade.
Wealth management professionals like New Mexico State
University alumnus C.J. Dennis devote their careers to helping
others preserve and grow their finances. Dennis, a Las Cruces native
who has a bachelor’s degree in finance from NMSU’s College of
Business, spent 17 years working at Vanguard before becoming a
senior vice president at Wells Fargo Advisors.
Today, Dennis is a private wealth financial advisor, helping
both high-net worth clients and organizations with their financial
objectives.
“Moving to Wells Fargo has really allowed me the opportunity
to help clients in almost every facet of their financial needs,” Dennis
said. “From planning to insurance to liability management. It feels
great to be that vital resource for clients.”
After graduating from NMSU, Dennis relocated to Scottsdale,
Arizona, to work as an investment consultant. Among his
C.J. Dennis
T
responsibilities, he assisted new investors
with a minimum of $1 million in assets.
He eventually became a portfolio
manager and worked with large
institutions throughout the western U.S.
His areas of focus included endowments,
foundations and nonprofit organizations
where collectively he managed
approximately $2 billion.
Dennis said he learned to effectively
manage institutional assets through
From planning
to insurance
to liability
management.
It feels great
to be that vital
resource for
clients.
his experience as a senior investment analyst. In this role, he was
instrumental in assisting institutions with ad-hoc analytics, portfolio
analysis and presentation development. He also credits courses he
took at NMSU that focused on financial analysis to prepare him for
the role.
In 2016, Dennis became a chartered financial analyst charter
holder after completing a robust certification program through
the CFA Institute. CFA requirements include 4,000 hours of work
experience over three sequential years and demonstrated skills in
leadership, teamwork, business communications, critical thinking,
time management and other areas. CFA candidates must also pass
the rigorous three-part exam, where historical pass rates range from
35-50%.
Dennis most recently served as the president of the CFA Society
of Phoenix, which represents more than 500 portfolio managers,
securities analysts, registered investment advisors, economists,
pension plan sponsors, educators and other investment professionals
in the greater Phoenix area. He currently serves on the group’s board
of directors and was instrumental in growing the CFA Society of
Phoenix’s Global Research Challenge. This marquee event hosts
students from area universities, where they compete analyze a
publicly traded company to gain real-world experience on what
financial analysts do daily. Dennis championed the society to expand
outside of Arizona and include both NMSU and UNM students to
participate in this challenge.
“It has been a real honor to coach and advocate for NMSU. I owe
the university so much and feels great to pay it forward,” he said.
In addition to his degree from NMSU, Dennis completed a
management program through Wharton Executive Education at the
University of Pennsylvania.
12 The Bottom Line – 2023 Annual Report | College of Business – New Mexico State University
COURTESY PHOTO
׉	 7cassandra://SFtZekCSiY7FYpwwlW0S6_Ep9G6uZa8Xv5E1BK1cOxE?` f]me̻׉EBUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL
Michael Anaya
Global Director of Attribution
Palo Alto Neteworks
Adrian Brito
Tax Shareholder
Lauterbach Borschow & Co.
Kathy Brook
NMSU Emeritus – Associate Dean
Craig Buchanan
Market President
US Bank
Laura Conniff
Associate Broker
BHGRE-Steinborn & Associates
John Cordova
CEO
Objective Marketing Advisors, LLC
Bradrick Cripe
Presidential Teaching Professor
Northern Illinois University COB
Christopher “C.J.” Dennis, II
Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo
Julie Dill
Corporate Director
Rayonier Advanced Materials
Marcelino Gomez
Retired Law
Juan Griego
Energy Engineer
US General Services Administration
Margaret Hardin
CEO/CFO Independent Director
Hardin Partners LLC
Cyndi Maestas-Henry
Tax Partner
Lauterbach Borschow & Co.
Shawn Gustafson
Senior VP
Risk Strategies
Jerean Hutchinson
VP and Manager
Las Posta de Mesilla, Inc.
Gabriel “Gabe” Jensen
CEO
Bosque Brewing Co., LLC
Judy Johnson
C.P.A. Retired
Joseph Christian
CEO President
Nusenda Credit Union
Roy King
Retired
Shell Oil Co.
Robert “Bobby” Lutz
Owner
GL Seaman & Company
Ross McCallister
Owner
MC Companies
Travis Melham
Director, Sanford Health
Charles “Charlie” Rogers
Michael “Mike” Rogers
President - CEO
True Influence
Lorenzo Moreno
Owner
SEI School Equipment, Inc.
Victor Pacheco
Retired
UTEP
Blas Pina
Senior Fuels Trader
Entergy
Karen Waterman
Enterprise Risk Director
Nusenda Credit Union
James “Jim” Wetherbe
Richard Schulze Distinguished
Professor Rawls College of
Business–Texas Tech
Brett Winward
Program Accounting Supervisor
Phillips 66
Trevas Younger
Owner/Administator
The Heritage Assisted Living
Kenneth “Ken” Miyagishima
District Manager
Farmers Insurance
Lucinda Romero
Business Management Professional
Sandia National Labs
Jason Wyatt
President
Western Commerce Bank,
Western Bank Clovis
Tim Vilter
CFO
First Light Credit Union
New Mexico State University – College of Business | 2023 Annual Report – The Bottom Line 13
f]me̼f]me̻(בCט   (u׉׉	 7cassandra://7xmbZZhgnyEX2W-oP1fN9Yo9ygImJs7ym0q0166s44M `׉	 7cassandra://zPgbaw94PxMbhioii7dWJp8WsbJHLG1P01UcaCwoi4I|r`s׉	 7cassandra://PnTAkSLU-89O7l0Bs2pF1Kg5aE-2h1JXl4SUCBCHSoY%` f]me׉E	College of Business
MSC 3AD
New Mexico State University
P.O. Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
QUICK FACTS ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-2023
Enrollment by gender
Undergraduate
Men ..........................................................785
Women ....................................................785
Enrollment by ethnicity
Undergraduate
Hispanic .................................................. 931
White .......................................................433
Black or African American .....................42
Non-resident ............................................52
American Indian ......................................45
Two or more races ...................................42
Asian ...........................................................18
Unknown .....................................................9
Native Hawaiian/Other
Pacific Islander ..........................................4
Graduation Data
Bachelor’s degrees
Accounting ...............................................35
Economics .................................................. 8
Finance ..................................................... 40
General business ...................................... 74
Information systems .................................. 8
International business ...............................6
Management .............................................52
Marketing ..................................................65
Graduate
Men ...........................................................137
Women ......................................................92
Graduate
Hispanic ....................................................96
White .........................................................67
Non-resident ............................................43
American Indian ........................................4
Black or African American ....................... 7
Two or more races ..................................... 8
Unknown ..................................................... 3
Native Hawaiian/Other
Pacific Islander ...........................................1
Master’s degrees
Accounting ............................................... 14
Applied statistics ....................................... 7
Business administration............................ 8
Economics ..................................................6
Graduate certificates
Public Utility Regulation
and Economics ......................................... 10
Doctorate degrees
Business administration............................ 3
AZ/4-24/1278705974
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