Top executives from General Motors traveled from Detroit to New Mexico State University in September to meet with students in the College of Business's supply chain program, offering rare insight into the global automotive industry and opening new career pathways for Aggies.

The visit stemmed from NMSU's success at a national case competition last year, when GM's executive director for supply chain, Dave Leich, contacted Victor Pimentel, director of NMSU's supply chain program. Impressed with the Aggie team's strong quantitative skills, Leich initiated a partnership that ultimately brought GM leadership to campus.

"To put this in real terms, bringing top executives from Detroit to New Mexico is no small thing," Pimentel said. "These are senior executives, and three days away from their roles represents a significant productivity investment for GM. For them to dedicate that time to us was an enormous compliment. Making it happen took almost a year of coordination – but it was absolutely worth the effort."

During their multi-day visit, GM leaders – including Miguel Rios, GM global vice president for supply chain; program purchasing manager John Foody; and assistant program purchasing manager Diana Reyes – engaged students through discussions, networking sessions and classroom visits, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in supply chain leadership at one of the world's largest automakers.

Many of the students in attendance described the visit as transformative. Eliana Gallegos, a project and supply chain major, said she was thrilled when she learned GM executives would be on campus.

"This was a great opportunity to combine my interests in supply chain and the automotive industry," she said. "It was great to hear about the industry from this point of view, learn more about internships, and ask important questions. We learned that it is a very competitive internship but with hard work and dedication, we can take the necessary steps to stand out. Not a lot of people get that opportunity, so we here at NMSU are very fortunate."

Other students echoed that excitement. "Getting the chance to talk with GM executives was truly a pleasure," said Kyle Parkins. "I was able to gain valuable industry insight into the field I want to make a difference in."

"It was inspiring to see people who've built their careers at GM share their insights with us," added Nancy Nartey. "It made the industry feel more approachable."

"It was an amazing opportunity seeing and hearing first-hand experiences from people who have started from the bottom to the top in supply chain!" said Ciara Quezada.

Rima Joukhadar, president of the Supply Chain Student Association, said the visit motivated her to think about her own career path. "Meeting with GM executives was an incredibly motivating experience," she said. "Hearing their journeys and insights not only broadened my understanding of supply chain management but also inspired me to continue striving toward leadership opportunities in the field."

Ashley Prieto agreed, calling the event "such a great opportunity." She added, "I'm really grateful to have been able to network with the GM representatives. It helped me learn more about the job market and how to network."

Pimentel emphasized the long-term impact of visits like this, which connect Aggies directly to six-figure careers in GM's prestigious Manager-in-Training program.

"These are life-changing opportunities for our students," he said. "When you secure a position with a company like GM, you are being adopted by a global organization that will mentor and develop you throughout your career. I have no doubt that within the next 10 years, we will see Aggies working globally for GM."

The visit also highlighted the program's growing strength and distinctive student leadership. Reyes noted her excitement at seeing NMSU's supply chain program led primarily by women, an uncommon yet inspiring dynamic in the field.

For Pimentel, the visit validated NMSU's reputation as a top-tier program. "GM is one of the top 50 companies in the world. For them to not only notice us, but to actively recruit our students, is an extraordinary compliment. It shows that GM views our program as competitive with the very best in the country."

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/general-motors-executives-visit-nmsu-college-of-business--highlight-supply-chain-program-s-rising-re/s/70577dfa-b45d-4ba6-a258-9ec34250ea0a