Brendajulissa Diaz

Masters of Science for Teachers

Advisor

Dr. Megha Khandelwal

Brendajulissa Diaz

Master of Science for Teachers (MST) Graduate, Brendajulissa Diaz, was involved in research on Dr. Nikolai Kalugan's NSF proposal "ExpandQISE: Track 1: Light-controlled magnetism in Floquet-Bloch systems". Based on this research experience she designing quantum-teaching classes and laboratory works for high-school students and fellow teachers. Through MST program Ms. Diaz gained the necessary knowledge and skills to develop and implement a strategically-important multidisciplinary direction of science and technology of quantum science, technology, and quantum information.

In collaboration with the MST program staff, Ms. Diaz presented a seminar entitled "From Classroom to Competition: Strategies for Teacher Support in STEM Competitions" at the NM MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement) conference in Albuquerque, NM on August 29, 2024. Her presentation focused on effective strategies to prepare teachers to support students in various STEM competitions, such as Science Fair Competitions, Future City Competitions, robotics competitions, and more. Ms. Diaz stated: "My presentation will cover my enriching journey towards earning a Master of Science for Teachers degree. Throughout this program, I honed various skills in STEM and incorporated the knowledge to develop effective science lesson plans. I will also share insights on how this degree can inspire and empower other teachers to elevate their teaching practices and make a greater impact on their students' learning experiences."

Ms. Diaz was born and raised on the enchanted island of Puerto Rico. From a young age, as a student, she developed a strong interest in science. Ms. Diaz actively participates in Science Fair competitions every school year, which fueled her passion for the subject. Ms. Diaz' academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Puerto Rico. Driven by a desire to expand her knowledge and skills, she also pursued and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. Understanding the importance of education, she later earned an Alternative Teacher Licensure from Highland University and a MST from New Mexico Tech. With over 9 years of teaching experience, she currently serves as a STEAM teacher at Colinas del Norte Elementary School in Rio Rancho, NM. In this role, she is passionate about sharing her expertise in science and mathematics with both colleagues and students, aiming to inspire and foster a love for these subjects.

Announcements

Graduate Student Stipend Increase

We are happy to announce an increase in graduate student stipends for TA/RA/GA. The new stipends are now posted on the Graduate Studies website. We are hoping to continue finding ways to better support our graduate students and ensure they can focus on their success.

DEADLINE APPROACHING - WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Time/Space to work on your thesis/dissertation

For those getting close to graduation and the deadline to finalize the completion paperwork for those graduating in the Spring is here!. We understand things can get too stressful. To help you through the last mile, the Office of Graduate Studies is making its conference room available for you to escape from your office/lab and advisor and just focus on writing your thesis/dissertation or independent study report. During this time you can have a quite time and you can ask questions as they come up whether about formatting, completion, copyright, plagiarism, etc. This is in addition to the services offered by the Writing & Communication Lab (WCL). If you are looking for writing support the WCL would be a much better resource. Please see below.

Regsiter for Summer & Fall

Please work with your advisor and register as soon as you can. This will ensure we have accurate representation of enrollment and that you need will remain on the schedule.

Writing & Communication Lab (WCL)

This is a tutoring resource committed to helping students become better writers and communicators through tailored and individual consultations. Tutors are experienced in STEM writing and offer consultations both in person and online, to undergraduate and graduate students. These resources are also available to our Distance Students as well so please take advantage.

Find the service's descriptions by visiting the following link

https://www.nmt.edu/academics/class/center.php

Past Events

Graduate Student Spring Picnic and Barbeque

A big thank you to all the graduate students, faculty, and staff who joined us at the Graduate Student Spring Picnic and Barbecue on April 3rd! We had an incredible time connecting, enjoying great food, and celebrating the spring season together (although a bit chilly!). Your participation made the event a success, and we truly appreciate everyone who took the time to join us.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers who helped with setup, grilling, and helping the event run smoothly. Your hard work and dedication allowed everyone to relax and enjoy the day.

As the semester continues to pick up pace, we hope that this picnic provided a much-needed break and a chance to recharge. We are grateful for the vibrant community of students and staff at New Mexico Tech, and we look forward to more opportunities to connect and support each other as we push through the rest of the semester.

Thank you again. Let’s keep the momentum going and finish the semester strong!

Important Dates

April 28th (updated date*)

Spring 2025 - Completion Paperwork

For Spring graduation to be eligible to participate in Commencement and have your degree conferred at the end of Spring semester in the month of May

The completed report of the advisory committee, iThenticate report from academic advisor, and ProQuest submission of the final thesis/dissertation must be submitted by April 28th, 2025 to the Center for Graduate Studies or one final copy of an accepted independent study paper must be submitted to the student’s advisor and advisory committee. Please refer to the Completion Guideline on the CGS website.

Must have submit your intent to graduate form prior to the beginning of the Spring 2025 semester.

Deadline to submit your Diploma and Intent to Walk has past. Please reach out to the Registrar for any further questions regarding Intent to Walk.

Student degrees are not complete until final materials have been approved by the Center for Graduate Studies and the student receives final acceptance via email from the ProQuest system. Students are encouraged to submit their thesis/dissertation drafts earlier to ensure that it will be accepted by the Registrar's deadline.

*If the updated deadline of April 28th affects your ability to submit the Spring completion paperwork, please reach out to us at graduate.dept@nmt.edu for assistance.

Scholarships and Other Opportunities

There are some Endowed scholarship opportunities open to graduate students, which are listed here on the Endowed Scholarship website. Native American graduate students should contact the Financial Aid Office for further information on additional scholarship opportunities (financial_aid@nmt.edu).

List of Scholarships from Outside Organizations

https://nmt.edu/finaid/outside_scholarships.php

NM Space Grant (https://nmspacegrant.nmsu.edu/)

- Student Competition Program: https://nmspacegrant.nmsu.edu/student-competition-program.html

- Student Travel Reimbursement: https://nmspacegrant.nmsu.edu/student-travel-grant.html

Explore a Career in Academia: NextProf Pathfinder 2025

October 5-7, 2025 | San Diego, CA

Deadline: May 22nd, 5PM EDT

The NextProf Pathfinder workshop is an excellent opportunity for rising 1st- and 2nd-year PhD students or those in a Master's program intending to apply for a PhD program. Sponsored by the University of Michigan, UC San Diego, and Georgia Tech, this workshop aims to strengthen and grow the next generation of academic leaders in engineering.

Held October 5-7, 2025, at UC San Diego, this workshop provides insights into navigating graduate school, building a competitive CV, selecting a research advisor, and preparing for a faculty career. Participants will engage with top faculty, deans, and recent Ph.D. graduates while exploring mentorship, outreach, and career development strategies.

All travel and lodging expenses are covered for accepted applicants. The application deadline is May 22, 2025, at 5 PM EDT. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a strong commitment to academic excellence and diversity.

For more details, visit:

https://nextprof.engin.umich.edu/nextprof-pathfinder/

2025 NextProf Pathfinder Application Form:

Apply to NextProf Pathfinder 2025