Board approves NMSU Ph.D. in wildlife and fisheries ecology; staff say no fiscal impact to state

The State Board of Finance approved a doctoral program proposal from New Mexico State University that would create a Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology, university and higher-education officials said.

Dr. Martha Desmond, department head for fish, wildlife and conservation ecology at NMSU, told the board the program would require 66 credits, including 18 credits of doctoral dissertation, and allow students with master’s degrees to transfer up to 24 credits toward the Ph.D. She said the department has a waitlist and stakeholder support; “We currently have a waiting list of students to come into this program, and I’d say conservatively, 4 to 5 students,” Desmond said.

Dr. Casey Prigler and Dr. Desmond said existing faculty, external grants and stable grant support (presenters cited more than $31 million in active grants) would provide student assistantships and research funding; the department projected approximately $50,000 in tuition revenue annually after four years and stated it expects no additional state funding needs. Director Ashley Leach confirmed staff did not identify a fiscal impact to the state from the proposal.

Member Joseph Luhan moved approval; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call. Board members asked questions about student support from grants and graduation/placement expectations; presenters said students typically secure jobs in the field and the program would create a New Mexico pipeline of trained researchers.

The board recorded the motion and approved the program. Staff and university presenters said they will provide follow-up materials as requested by board members.