Additive Nomenclature: NMSU Civil Engineering Department adopts new name reflecting environmental focus

Cover Photo Caption: Runwei Li, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, stands in his laboratory where he and his graduate students conduct environmental research.

New Mexico State University’s Department of Civil Engineering has officially changed its name to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, a move that reflects the department’s longstanding academic strengths, evolving research priorities and commitment to addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The name change was approved through the university’s academic governance process, and aligns the department’s identity with the degree programs it currently offers and the expertise it has developed over several decades.

Runwei Li, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, tests various samples from ongoing research that involve water used in chile pepper production.(NMSU Photo by Vladimir Avina)

“This change is about accurately representing who we already are and the work we have been doing for many years,” said department head Craig Newtson. “Environmental engineering has been a critical part of our teaching and research mission, and the updated name better communicates that to students, employers and our partners.”

While the department has deep roots in traditional civil engineering disciplines, its involvement in environmental engineering dates back to the late 1980s, when NMSU introduced a graduate program in environmental engineering in response to growing regulatory demands and societal needs.

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“From water quality and treatment to waste management and emerging technologies, our faculty have been actively engaged in environmental engineering research for decades,” said Runwei Li, assistant professor of environmental and civil engineering. “The new name highlights the breadth of expertise that already exists and reinforces environmental engineering as a core pillar of our program.”

Faculty who join Li in teaching environmental engineering courses include Pei Xu, PESCO Endowed Professor in Industrial Water Quality and Reclamation Research, and Yanyan Zhang, John Clark Associate Professor. 

Today, the department offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering, a master of engineering degree in civil engineering, and a master’s degree in environmental engineering. The updated name more accurately reflects this academic portfolio and underscores environmental engineering as an integral component of the department’s mission.

The Master of Science in Environmental Engineering program provides advanced educational and research opportunities in areas including water quality, aquatic chemistry, environmental microbiology, water and wastewater treatment, water reclamation and reuse, desalination, membrane processes, solid and hazardous waste management, groundwater remediation, contaminant fate and transport, air pollution control and emerging technologies such as nanotechnology applications in environmental systems. 

Courses emphasize both fundamental engineering principles and the design of environmental engineering processes, preparing graduates to address complex environmental challenges using engineering-based solutions.

Newtson said the name change is also expected to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration across campus.

“By formally incorporating environmental engineering into our department name, we are creating clearer pathways for collaboration with related disciplines while maintaining the engineering focus of our programs,” Newtson said.

The updated name enhances alignment with academic units such as plant and environmental sciences, geography and environmental studies and geological sciences, creating opportunities for complementary coursework, research partnerships and shared initiatives.

National trends further support the change. Many peer institutions have updated their civil engineering department names to include environmental engineering, recognizing the field’s growing importance. Both the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Institute of Technology have made similar changes. 

David Jáuregui, interim dean of the NMSU College of Engineering, said the change also aligns with NMSU’s research priorities and statewide initiatives focused on energy, environment and water.

“The transition to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering reflects not only the academic strengths of the program, but also the national-scale research leadership that supports NMSU’s R1 mission,” Jáuregui said. “Our environmental engineering faculty play central roles in major initiatives such as ReNUWIt, the National Alliance for Water Innovation and the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium. These efforts elevate NMSU’s research profile while advancing solutions in water reuse, desalination, and produced-water management that are essential to New Mexico, the southwest and the nation.”

From a professional standpoint, the new name more closely aligns with workforce classifications used by employers, licensing agencies and national organizations such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Graduates can be more clearly identified as civil engineers or environmental engineers, improving clarity in career pathways and professional recognition.

Newtson said he anticipates the name change will support efforts to attract a more diverse student population. National data show that environmental engineering programs tend to enroll more gender-diverse cohorts compared to traditional civil engineering programs.

“We see this as an opportunity to broaden interest in engineering while continuing our commitment to inclusive excellence,” Newtson said.

Beyond the name update, no structural or administrative changes will occur. The transition is intended to better communicate the department’s existing strengths, honor its history, and position it for continued growth, collaboration and impact at the local, state and national levels.