A grateful farewell, and a call to action

Last Friday marked my final day as President of New Mexico Tech. While my time in this role was shorter than I had hoped, it has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my professional life—thanks not only to the extraordinary faculty, staff, students, and my colleagues in the leadership cabinet at NMT, but also to the warm, generous people of Socorro and the surrounding communities.

Over the past fifteen months, we’ve worked to build a stronger bond between the university and the city—from partnering with the mayor’s office and Socorro Electric Co-op (SEC) to strengthening ties with Socorro County leaders. One of the efforts I’m most proud of was changing a long-standing university policy that prevented us from doing business with local vendors who had close family ties to NMT. In a small town, that policy effectively excluded many great businesses. Fixing it was not only the right thing to do—it brought our university closer to the community it serves.

We are working with Socorro High School to encourage more local students to take college-level courses. New Mexico Tech only looks intimidating from afar, but when you get to know us, you’ll see that we’re a home for all types of students. We strive to make everyone feel welcome—in our classes, in our dorms, and at our events.

But there is more we can do together. New Mexico Tech’s researchers and students aren’t just pushing the boundaries of science and engineering—they’re also tackling real-world problems, from water conservation and energy resilience to rural broadband and small business innovation. Imagine what we could accomplish if more of those talents were directed toward local needs.

I’ve been heartened by the growing connection between NMT and the broader Socorro community, and I trust that spirit of partnership will continue to deepen in ways that reflect the needs and creativity of both. Whether it’s student projects, faculty outreach, or community events, I look forward to seeing the many ways NMT and Socorro can continue to support one another.

In a letter to the editor last August, I wrote, “Town-gown relations are as invaluable as family relations.” And in a January column, I invited the community to connect more deeply with the university, saying: “NMT is much more than your average college; it’s a place where we make imagination real and shape the future. But we can’t do it alone.”

That message still holds true.

As I reflect on my time at NMT, I’m incredibly proud of what our campus community has accomplished—and equally proud of the people in Socorro who work every day to make this a resilient and vibrant place to live. We face challenges, yes, but also immense potential.

So today, I ask once more: stay engaged. Visit the campus. Take one of our community classes. Attend a lecture or performance. Suggest a project where our students can make a difference. Invite our faculty to speak at local forums. Let’s imagine new ways we can collaborate—because NMT’s success and Socorro’s vitality are deeply intertwined.

Although I’m stepping down from the presidency, I’ll remain at NMT as a faculty member in the Departments of Management and Mathematics. I look forward to continuing to contribute, not only as a professor, but as a member of this community.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve—and for making Socorro feel like home.

Mahyar Amouzegar is a former President of New Mexico Tech and an author. His forthcoming novel is “Tomorrow Brings Joy: Elysium.”