SOCORRO, N.M. – New Mexico Tech officially honored and recognized the Class of 2020 during a ground-breaking cybernetic commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16.

In addition to conferring degrees and honoring the 387 members of the Class of 2020, and the announcement of various other awards, the Student Government Association offers four awards this year and the Graduate Student Association named two award winners. Although the awards presentation were not part of the webcast, SGA President Michelle Sherman and GSA President Henry Prager recorded a video presentation of the awards that was viewable via the electronic program online.

Sherman opened her talk by offering congratulations to the Class of 2020.

“This class has made it to the finish line of this chapter in our lives and we are now ready to start a new one,” she said. “We have finished our degree at NM Tech during the time of a reboot of the world. It is up to us to take on the task of reawakening the world with the skills and the knowledge we have to offer.

Sherman then announced the winners of the 2019-2020 Student Government Association Appreciation Awards for Outstanding Graduating Senior, Faculty, Staff and Administrator. The awardees were nominated by students and selected for their outstanding leadership, service and dedication to the Student Government Association and the student body.

Outstanding Senior Casey Aumack

Casey Aumack is a graduating senior receiving his degree today in Mechanical Engineering. Casey has so many strengths as a student and as a student worker for the SGA. He is dependable, honest, respected, always on time and always prepared.

Sherman said, “He set up and planned both student and university events. He was there hours before an event starts, to hours after it ends, helping set up and clean up. He received requests from various administrators, student clubs, and other interested parties, regarding what they wanted for an event.”

Aumack also provided the equipment needed for the annual student forums as well as previous graduations where he was directly receiving requests and answering questions from NMT President Wells.

Outstanding Faculty Member Dr. Mostafa Hassanalian

Dr. Mostafa Hassanalian is a professor of Mechanical Engineering. In the nomination for Dr. Hassanalian, he was mentioned as one of the best professors at NM Tech. He is willing to give students his time, his advice, and the mentorship needed for them to excel in their higher education.

Another student said that they feel their life and education has been enriched by Dr. Hassanalian’s mentoring and instruction. He keeps the students well engaged in his courses both in and out of the classroom through research opportunities. Dr. Hassanalian is a wonderful professor and I am pleased to present him with the SGA 2019-2020 Outstanding Faculty Member Award.

Outstanding Staff Member Vanessa Grain

Vanessa Grain is the Chief Executive Assistant to the President at New Mexico Tech and the special assistant to the Board of Regents. One student said that Vanessa has spent the past two years showing how worthy and dedicated she is in this position, but especially now during the pandemic.

Sherman said, “We thank her for the strength and willingness she has shown not only in her career, but in the past couple of months where she has assisted the university and the students during this difficult time. She is truly a courageous woman.

Outstanding Administrator of the Year Dr. Aly El-Osery

Dr. Aly El-Osery is the Dean of Graduate Studies at NM Tech, as well as a professor and chair of the Electrical Engineering Department. In the nomination for Dr. El-Osery, one student said that he has been one of the best advisors at NM Tech. He is always available to meet with you whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student. He is a busy professor and Dean, but he always has time for students. They are his priority.

Another student said that Dr. El-Osery encourages students to work with the community and to mentor students interested in pursuing tech degrees.

Graduate Student Association 

The Graduate Student Association named two annual award winners this year: one student and one faculty or staff member.

José Martínez-Claros, Student Appreciation Award Winner

Graduate student José Martínez-Claros on the Student Appreciation Award for his history of service and involvement with both the student government over the past three years. He has worked on various committees, including food, international students, GSA Constitution, student discipline, Title IX, diversity and inclusion, emailing list, data-driven, and campus culture.

GSA President Henry Prager said Martinez-Claros’ most significant contributions have been in reducing the required tuition credits for summer from 6 to 3, and computerization of the GSA volunteer point system.

Mikell Coleman, Employee Appreciation Award

The Employee Appreciation Award winner is Mikell Coleman, who was noted for her work as a Title IX Investigator in working on making campus safe and free of sexual violence, along with her own standards of excellence and ethics.

After working as Tech’s Student Conduct Coordinator and Title IX Investigator, Mikell Coleman accepted a new position with the Research Office to be the inaugural Director of Research Compliance in September 2019.

The new Office of Research Compliance will be consolidating various safety and compliance areas under her leadership. Coleman earned her bachelor's from Northern Arizona University and her juris doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

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