1888 Leadership Initiative
The 1888 Leadership Initiative is open to all first-time freshmen at the NMSU Las Cruces campus. The program begins with move-in day and kickoff activities on Friday, August 15, and concludes on Sunday, August 17.
On the evening of August 15, students will participate in activities such as icebreakers and receive an overview of the weekend’s events.
The registration deadline is Friday, August 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
Apply to The 1888 Leadership Initiative
Exclusively for First-Year Students
Become one of NMSU's Future Leaders.
Apply Here!|
Friday, August 15, 2025 |
|
| 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | Move In (Residential Campus Students) |
| Garcia Residence Hall Lobby | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| Corbett Center Student Union Taos | |
| 1:00-2:30 PM | Residential Hall Room Set-Up |
| Assigned Residence Hall | |
| 2:30 PM | Check In (All Students) |
| 3:00 PM | NMSU Welcome/Program Overview |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| President Valerio Ferme | |
| Dean Phame Camarena | |
| 3:30 PM | Introduction to Advocate |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Natalie Thomas, Student Program Coordinator | |
| 4:30 PM | Introduction to Grit |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Amanda Adler, Associate Director | |
| Amanda Glendenning, Recruitment Specialist | |
| 5:30 PM | Advocate and Grit Panel |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Elected and Business Leaders: | |
| Marci Dickerson, Owner Dickerson Group | |
| Johana Bencomo, Las Cruces Mayor Pro Tem and District 4 City Councilor | |
| Senator William Soules, New Mexico State Senator District 37 | |
| 6:30 PM | Social Networking Meal with NMSU Personnel |
| Corbett Center Student Union-East Ballroom | |
| 7:30 PM | Exploring NMSU: It's Your New Frontier |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Gabriela Lozano | |
| 9:00 PM | Free Time |
| Assigned Residence Hall/Home |
|
Saturday, August 16, 2025 |
|
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| Corbett Center Student Union-Taos | |
| 9:00 AM | Introduction to Gratitude |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Amanda Taylor, Student Transition Coordinator | |
| Victoria Banuelos, Associate Director | |
| 10:00 AM | Aggie Traditions |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Dean Ann Goodman | |
| 11:00 AM | Introduction to Integrity |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Dr. Winnie Lee, Department Head | |
| 11:55 AM | NMSU Athletics and Leadership |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Dr. Amber Burdge, Acting Director | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| Corbett Center Student Union-Taos | |
| 1:00 PM | Aggie Volleyball Crimson vs White Scrimmage |
| Pan American Center | |
| 3:00 PM | Gratitude and Integrity Panel |
| Alumni and Industry Leaders: | |
| Pan American Center-Barbara Hubbard Room | |
| Dino Cervantes, CEO Cervantes Enterprises | |
| Dr. Merranda Marin, Professor and Licensed Psychologist/Family Therapist | |
| Gerardo Sanchez, Chief Engineer, USAF 586th Test Squadron | |
| 4:00 PM | Break |
| NMSU Campus/Residence Halls | |
| 6:00 PM | Aggie Manners Etiquette Dinner |
| Corbett Center Student Union-East Ballroom | |
| Dr. Kelly Cleary Coffeen, College Professor | |
| 8:00 PM | Free Time |
| Assigned Residence Hall/Home |
|
Sunday, August 17, 2025 |
|
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| Corbett Center Student Union-Taos | |
| 9:00 AM | Introduction to Execute and Services |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Gabrielle Martinez, Associate Registrar | |
| Morgan Brown, Athletics Eligibility Specialist | |
| 10:00 AM | Execute and Service Panel |
| Student Regents and Leaders: | |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Marisol Olivas, NMSU Student Regent | |
| Luke Sanchez, Former NMSU Student Regent | |
| Mackenzie Dybvik, Honors Ambassador | |
| William Whitworth, ASNMSU Associate Justice | |
| Isaid Lopez-Duran, Chief Elections Officer | |
| 11:00 AM | 1888 Leadership Initiative Reflection Activity |
| Corbett Center Student Union-West Ballroom | |
| Dean Phame Camarena | |
| 11:30 AM | 1888 Leadership Lunch Celebration |
| Corbett Center Student Union-East Ballroom | |
| 1:00 PM | NMSU Housing and Residential Life-Crimson Quest |
| International Mall | |
| 2:00 PM | Break |
| 4:30 PM | Freshman Convocation |
| Recognition of Program Graduates/Aggie Traditions | |
| Pan American Center |