NMSU to award more than 2,100 degrees at spring 2026 commencement ceremonies

More than 2,100 students will graduate from New Mexico State University this weekend.  

NMSU will recognize spring 2026 graduates at three commencement ceremonies at the Pan American Center on the Las Cruces campus. University leaders will award a total of 2,148 degrees across its colleges. 

Commencement weekend kicks off Friday, May 15, with a graduate ceremony for students earning master’s and doctoral degrees, beginning at 6 p.m.  

It continues Saturday, May 16, with two undergraduate ceremonies. The first starts at 9 a.m. for students earning bachelor’s degrees from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the College of Business, and the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation. The second begins at 2 p.m. for students earning bachelor’s degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering.  

Graduates and guests traveling from the El Paso area to Las Cruces should plan accordingly, as Interstate 10 westbound lanes between Los Mochis Drive and Antonio Street will be fully closed between 3 p.m. May 16 and noon Sunday, May 17. 

Genesis Valenzo will be among the 1,582 students earning bachelor’s degrees.

Genesis Valenzo will graduate from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. (Courtesy) 

A first-generation college student who grew up in Mexico and El Paso, Valenzo said NMSU played a vital role in building her confidence. Soon after arriving in 2022 to study computer science, Valenzo found a strong community of support among her peers and professors in the College of Arts and Sciences and as a member of NMSU’s YWiC chapter, which aims to inspire future leaders in computing and artificial intelligence.

“Being a part of YWiC has been very rewarding, especially through our work bringing computer science to younger generations,” she said. “Being surrounded by so many amazing people has inspired me and helped me not to give up in my field.” 

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Last summer, Valenzo completed an internship with Bloomberg in New York City and has since accepted a full-time role with the company. She’ll begin working as a software engineer in the fall – a job she feels prepared to take on, she said, because of her time in YWiC, the Google Tech Exchange Program and the Netflix Formation Program 

Valenzo said participating in this week’s commencement ceremony is especially meaningful as a first-generation college student. 

“Being in college has opened so many doors for me,” she said. “I see how important it is, and walking on stage carries more than the completion of my degree. It’s taking a step for a new generation of education within my family.” 

Janessa Clark will also earn a bachelor’s degree this week. Clark, a public health sciences major, came to NMSU to take advantage of New Mexico’s Lottery Scholarship. 

Janessa Clark will graduate from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in public health. (Courtesy) 

“What started as me just giving it a shot turned into something much bigger,” said Clark, the Outstanding Graduate for the College of HEST. “Along the way, I found direction, discipline and a sense of purpose that I hadn’t fully stepped into before. It ended up being one of the most positive and rewarding experiences of my life.” 

Highlights of Clark’s time at NMSU include completing an internship with FYI+ and the LC3 Behavioral Health Collaborative and serving as a peer mental health advocate. 

“Becoming a peer mentor and mental health advocate was one of the most meaningful parts of my time at NMSU,” she said. “A lot of students are dealing with challenges that aren’t always visible, and navigating those within an academic system can be overwhelming. In that role, I worked with students facing everything from academic stress to serious health concerns. I helped them understand their options, connect with resources, and figure out how to move forward.” 

Clark plans to continue her education through NMSU Global and work toward a master’s in public health. Her long-term career goal is to become a chief health officer.  But first, she will take a moment to celebrate her recent achievements at commencement. 

“Walking at graduation is important to me because it’s a moment to recognize that process and what it required,” she said. “It’s also meaningful to share that experience with my family, especially my husband, who has supported me throughout this journey.” 

Atlee Musgrave channeled his passion for fashion into a successful academic career at NMSU. Musgrave, a New Mexico native from Placitas, will receive a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising and design.  

At NMSU, Musgrave made a name for himself as a standout student. He was active in many student organizations and served in various leadership roles for the College of ACES and Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.   

“The most enjoyable part of my time at NMSU was getting to dive headfirst into the fashion industry, an industry I love, while building a network of mentors who have helped guide me on my path and strengthening a support system of friends and family who cheer me on as I achieve my dreams,” he said.  

Musgrave was also highly involved with NMSU’s annual Sustainable Fashion Show, for which he designed original looks with recycled materials and supported marketing and production efforts. As a freshman, he joined the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, and later became an NRF ambassador, a role in which he worked to raise the NRF’s profile among his peers at NMSU.  

This summer, he’ll join Kohl’s corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, working full-time for the nation’s largest department store chain as an assistant buyer. 

For Musgrave, commencement isn’t just a celebration to recognize his achievements – it’s also a way to honor his biggest supporters.  

“Attending commencement is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to celebrate such a huge milestone with my family, friends and mentors,” he said. “It’s not just celebrating my graduation; in a way, it feels like a celebration of those who supported me along the way.” 

The Pan American Center will open to the public one hour before each commencement ceremony. Tickets are not required. Graduating students should also arrive one hour before the ceremonies start. The three ceremonies will also be livestreamed on NMSU’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit https://commencement.nmsu.edu.