By: Salina Madrid

The associated students of New Mexico State University are continuing to strive for greatness.

ASNMSU is committed to serving the student body and enhancing the college experience as whole.

“My main goal within the ASNMSU community is to strengthen the universities connection not only with Las Cruces, but with each other as well,” said Kayla Hughley, the Director of Community Outreach at ASNMSU. “I want students to get involved because it strengthens our connection as students and as a university.”

They host many events, but one unparticular is Keep State Great. Hughley is in charge of this event and is proud of the success she has received from it.

Keep State Great took place on Saturday, September 24 and according to Hughley, was a huge success.

“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me saying that they really enjoyed the event and working for it,” said Hughley.

She started planning this event in the summer in hopes that they would have a higher participation rate than last year.

Hughley said it has taken a lot of preparation, but with the help and support of NMSU, it has made her job a lot easier.

“With my experience in this position, being that it is my first year doing it, everyone that I have talked to and worked with for Keep State Great have been really supportive and seemed to have liked it,” said Hughley.

One person that has been a big help to this event has been Ralph “Bud” Jones, The Head of the Grounds Department.

“They have made it really easy for us to work with them and they make sure to have a professional staff with the students during Keep State Great to make sure everyone stays safe,” said Hughley.

Jones has been managing Keep State Great at NMSU since 1999 and he says it keeps getting better every year.

“If it weren’t for the students none of us would be here. Student organizations such as Keep State Great help our department with enhancing the beauty of our campus. My staff gets to interact with the students and see their energy and enthusiasm,” said Jones.