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Welcome to the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation

The College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation was established in 2021 to serve students, faculty, and staff whose efforts are aimed at improving individual, societal, and policy outcomes. The college was formed by combining the previous College of Education and College of Health and Social Services, as well as the Department of Sociology from the College of Arts & Sciences.

A Message from Interim Dean Pichon

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Dr. Henrietta Pichon, Interim Dean 

For the first time since 1979, NMSU has created a new college. Welcome to the College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation (HEST)!

HEST is the new college that brings together the former College of Education, the former College of Health and Social Services, and the Sociology Department. We offer stackable credentials, certificates, and degrees in the following areas: Communication disorders; counseling and educational psychology; kinesiology; nursing; public health; social work; sociology; and teacher preparation, administration, and leadership. 

This will be an exciting time for all of us in HEST as we seek to remain committed to the institution's land grant mission to "serve the diverse need of the state through comprehensive programs of education, research, extension and outreach, and public service." Over the next year, we will work with students, faculty, staff, and other constituencies to develop new mission and vision statements to contribute to the overall institution's mission taking into consideration the three missions coming together.... (read more)

New College Facts

What is the purpose of the new college?

The College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation will be a high-profile academic home for work in the fields of health, education, and the social sciences. It will also support students, faculty, and staff whose efforts are aimed at improving individual, societal, and policy outcomes within these disciplines.

How will current programs be impacted?

The combining of these three units will not impact currently offered programs, pre-existing authorizations or accreditation of programs, enrollments and other programs of study, faculty hiring or promotion and tenure standards.

How will the cost savings be used?

Salary savings will be invested into growing the new college by creating new faculty positions within the new college, and to provide additional resources for research and potential new academic degrees.

How does this support NMSU's strategic goals?

The college supports each of NMSU's Leads 2025 strategic goals, which include enhancing student success and social mobility, elevating research and creative activity, amplifying extension and outreach, and building a robust university system.

What is social transformation?

The college will serve as a regional leader for identifying gaps that lead to disparities in health, education, and socio-economic outcomes. The college's faculty can work with community partners to design and provide research and academic programs to education future leaders in policy making through evidence-based practices.

Who will lead the new college?

Dr. Henrietta Pichon will step into the role of interim dean as a search committee begins work to find a permanent dean. The new college will merge three units currently under interim leadership — the College of Education, College of Health and Social Services and the Department of Sociology — and therefore reduce some administrative positions and provide a cost savings to the university.

What went into this decision?

Provost Carol Parker and the academic leadership of the units involved hosted a number of listening sessions, town halls and focus groups with faculty and staff, and ranked-choice survey that included several options for realignment were presented to those units. The proposal was tailored in response to input received. The Board of Regents made the ultimate decision to proceed with the administrative merger. An advisory committee of students, faculty, and staff will provide input during implementation.
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