New Mexico Highlands University officials gave a progress update to the Land Grant Interim Committee on campus programs, enrollment and community partnerships during a meeting in Las Vegas.

The university’s provost, Dan Brown, said Highlands is pursuing new workforce- and community-focused programs and expects a modest enrollment increase for fall after a 4% summer enrollment rise over 2024. “Now is the time, Las Vegas is the place and Highlands is the university,” Brown told committee members, describing initiatives meant to connect graduates to local jobs and graduate study.

The provost emphasized several near-term academic changes: a Sandbox graduate program in computer science that pairs about a year of classroom instruction with product development mentorship and exposure to venture capital; undergraduate and graduate certificates in supply chain management; and a Doctor of Nursing Practice planned for spring 2026. Brown said the DNP is intended to prepare nurses for advanced practice and leadership roles and to support rural health care access.

Brown also described Highlands’ forestry programs and applied research through the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute and related reforestation operations. He framed forestry work as regionally focused: students gain field experience while contributing to post-fire rehabilitation and watershed restoration in Northern New Mexico. On campus sustainability, Brown said Highlands aims to reduce its carbon footprint and lower energy costs; he pointed to existing solar panels on parking-structure surfaces and said longer-term renewable projects are under development.

Committee members asked about operational details. Sen. Liz Stefanik requested a timeline for the renewable-energy rollout; Brown said “it’s not an immediate… accomplishment” but noted visible solar installations and said the university is pursuing a mix of conservation and alternative sources. Representative Miguel Garcia asked about the DNP and current nursing offerings; Brown said Highlands currently offers RN-to-BSN and a newer family practice master’s program and that the DNP committees are still defining the program, which will emphasize leadership and advanced practice in rural settings.

Members also probed industry partnerships. Brown said Los Alamos National Laboratory has helped shape the supply chain certificate and that the university will recruit advisory council members from industry. On artificial intelligence, Brown acknowledged the field’s rapid change and offered to follow up with committee members after staff compile the university’s plans for incorporating AI into computer science instruction.

Brown listed other operational items: improved financial aid packaging for earlier offers to new students; residence halls projected near capacity; six new dual-enrollment agreements with regional high schools; participation in a Complete College America Accelerator project; and ongoing work toward designation as a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution. He told the committee Highlands will report back with additional details as programs mature.

The committee thanked Brown for the overview and asked staff to share follow-up materials requested during the discussion.