The New Mexico Higher Education Department has concluded its annual summer capital outlay tours and hearings, bringing together higher education leaders, state officials and members of the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee to evaluate critical infrastructure needs at colleges and universities across the state.
According to the NMHED, a combined $301.2 million was presented by public colleges, universities, tribal colleges and special schools during the hearings.
That state funding request proposed is for capital projects to support modern learning environments, improve campus infrastructure, expand capacity, address deferred maintenance and demolition of facilities across the state’s higher education system.
Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez and members of the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee, including Chairman Luis Campos, traveled throughout the state to tour completed capital projects and hear presentations on future infrastructure priorities.
Tours included Albuquerque, Crownpoint, Farmington, Gadsden, Gallup, Grants, Portales, Ruidoso and Shiprock, with hearings hosted by Central New Mexico Community College, Eastern New Mexico University, Navajo Technical University, New Mexico State University and San Juan College.
“These annual tours give us the opportunity to see firsthand how capital investments are transforming campuses and creating better learning environments for students across New Mexico,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. “Meeting directly with campus leaders and students allows us to better understand their long-term infrastructure needs and develop funding recommendations that will strengthen higher education for generations to come.”
The department will evaluate project requests and develop recommendations for consideration by the executive and legislative branches during the statewide capital outlay process.
Over the course of the statewide tour, committee members visited completed projects and met with institutional leaders to discuss future capital priorities, helping ensure funding recommendations reflect the diverse infrastructure needs of campuses across New Mexico.
“These hearings are a critical part of ensuring we make thoughtful, strategic investments in higher education infrastructure,” said Luis Campos, Chairman of the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee. “By hearing directly from our institutions and seeing their facilities firsthand, we can better prioritize projects that improve campus safety, enhance the student experience and support New Mexico’s long-term educational and workforce goals.”