New Mexico Highlands University

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New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) is a university located in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

NMHU is notable for enrolling a majority Hispanic student body.

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[edit] 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 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.

[edit] 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).

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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, Nate Bryant attends this campus. 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.

[edit] Miscellany

The campus can be seen in the movie Red Dawn as the town of Las Vegas substituted for the fictional community of Calumet, Colorado. Also can be seen in the John Carpenter film "Vampires (film)".

[edit] External links