One of the oldest institutions of higher learning in New Mexico has secured just over $1 million in state funding for a variety of construction and renovation projects.
Located in Las Vegas, the New Mexico Highlands University was founded in 1893 and focuses on business administration, nursing, and social work education. With an enrollment of around 2,800 students, the school has been listed by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top institutions for economically disadvantaged students.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has now given her signature to half a dozen Highlands University projects that were earlier approved by state lawmakers.
The largest capital outlay is seeing $400,000 going for improvements to the school’s Gene Torres Golf Course, which is located at 1 Country Club Drive. The 173-acre course is owned and operated by NMHU and named in honor of Gene Torres, long-time professor of physical education at the school and a nationally known professional golfer.
The $400,000 will not only target upgrade work at the course, which includes a youth golf area, but also work on the course’s irrigation system.
Exactly $250,000 has been secured for renovation work on the Leveo and Patricia Sanchez Family Stadium at 878 Baca Avenue. The facility, home of the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys football team, is named in honor of the couple who served in the school’s leadership and faculty as well as offering financial support to the school.
The stadium work is set to include the design and building of new tracks and football and soccer fields. A smaller $185,000 will go for what are described as “zero net carbon campus improvements” that will see the building of electric vehicle charging stations as well as new solar infrastructure.
March 31, 2026
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of New Mexico Highlands University
