Highlands Elevated:
A Bold New Vision for Our Future
Join us in transforming lives, communities, and the state of New Mexico through our first-ever comprehensive capital campaign.
Our Campaign: Highlands Elevated
Highlands Elevated is the most ambitious fundraising initiative in our university’s history. With a $10 million goal, this campaign empowers our mission through four pillars of impact:
- Forestry
- Athletics
- Endowment & Legacy Gifts
- Annual & Emerging Needs
Every gift helps us elevate opportunity, access, and excellence for Highlands students—and for New Mexico.
Forestry
Rooted in New Mexico. Leading the West
We are investing in one of Highlands’ proudest legacies—forestry education and environmental leadership. The campaign strengthens our programs in conservation, climate resilience, and field-based learning while positioning NMHU as a regional hub for ecological innovation. Out of the devastating Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon Fire and the floods that followed came a spotlight on our responsibility.
Athletics
Elevating the H
Our student-athletes represent Cowboy and Cowgirl pride at its boldest. Through support for facilities, travel, equipment, spirit initiatives like The Rowdies, and of course the H Club, we are building a championship-caliber student-athlete experience that brings our community together—on and off the field. We’re already seeing the fruits of expansion in things like extended on-campus periods this summer…and expect to see continued improvement as we elevate all of our programs with unprecedented resources.
Scholarships & Endowments
Opening Doors. Fueling Futures
Endowed and current-use scholarships ensure that every student—regardless of background—has access to a Highlands education. We are investing in the people who make our mission real by creating lasting pathways to opportunity. The goal is to increase the number of endowed scholarships from 106 to 130, while increasing the corpus of current endowed scholarships and increasing the availability of current-year scholarships. Additional endowment opportunities such as professorships and head coaches are also a focus.
Annual Fund & Current Use Resources
Meeting the Moment. Every Day
By and large, Highlands has not had a regular “annual fund” – recurring funds used for current-use operations. By establishing giving societies such as the President’s Circle, President’s Partners, the 1893 Society, SPURS, the Parents and Family Leadership Council, all of which constitute Project Purple, this corner of the campaign addresses the urgent needs of today—whether that’s supporting a student in crisis, funding academic innovation, or enhancing campus life. These gifts are flexible, fast, and impactful.
Create Your Legacy at Highlands
Honor a legacy, celebrate your family, or support a cause close to your heart. Naming opportunities are available for major gifts at every level:
Name a school
Name a building
Endow a professor or faculty chair
Endow a full-ride scholarship
Endow a head coach position
Name a campus room or space
Endow a student scholarship
Leave Your Mark at Highlands
This campaign is about more than dollars. It’s about connection, transformation, and future impact. Every gift, no matter the size, helps elevate Highlands and the lives it touches.