12 Notable alumni of New Mexico Highlands University
Updated: June 13, 2026 EliteDegrees
New Mexico Highlands University is ranked #3,622 in the world and #952 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 12 notable alumni from New Mexico Highlands University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with New Mexico Highlands University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Mari-Luci Jaramillo
1928-2019 (aged 91)
diplomat
educator
Mari-Luci Jaramillo was an American educator and diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Honduras from 1977 to 1980. Upon her confirmation, Jaramillo became the first Mexican-American woman to serve as an American ambassador.
+ show more
2. Thomas McClelland
1942-. (aged 84)
military officer
Thomas McClelland is a decorated U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
3. Hector Balderas
1973-. (aged 53)
politician
Hector Hugo Balderas Jr. is an American lawyer, executive leader, and public servant currently serving as the President of Northern New Mexico College. He previously served as New Mexico Attorney General from 2015–2022, New Mexico State Auditor from 2007–2014, and in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 2005-2006.
+ show more
4. John A. Gordon
1946-2020 (aged 74)
military officer
John Alexander Gordon was an American air force general who served as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He also served as the President's Homeland Security advisor from 2003 to 2004.
+ show more
5. Ben Ray Luján
1972-. (aged 54)
politician
Ben Ray Luján is an American politician who has served as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since 2021. He served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2021 and as assistant speaker from 2019 to 2021. He served as a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission from 2005 to...
+ show more
6. Nick Rolovich
1979-. (aged 47)
American football player
Nicholas Robert Rolovich is an American football coach and former player who is currently the quarterbacks and assistant head coach at California.
7. Chris Newsome
1990-. (aged 36)
basketball player
Christopher Elijah Duque Newsome is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
+ show more
8. Darrin Chiaverini
1977-. (aged 49)
American football player
Darrin Earl Chiaverini is an American college football coach and former wide receiver. He is the head football coach for Northeastern State University, a position he has held since 2024. He played college football at Colorado. He was drafted in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 1999 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
+ show more
9. Eddie Guerrero
1967-2005 (aged 38)
professional wrestler
Eduardo Gory Guerrero Llanes was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his tenures in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) / World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), along with his appearances in Mexico and Japan. A prominent member of the Guerrero wrestling family, being the son of first-generation wrestler Gory Guerrero, and brother of Chavo...
+ show more
10. Keith Jardine
1975-. (aged 51)
mixed martial arts fighter
actor
Keith Jardine is an American actor and retired mixed martial artist who most notably competed in the UFC and Strikeforce.
11. Georgia Lee Lusk
1893-1971 (aged 78)
teacher
supervisor
educator
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
director
Georgia Lee Witt Lusk was the first female U.S. Congressional representative from New Mexico, an educator, and a devoted public servant.
12. Antonio M. Fernández
1902-1956 (aged 54)
court stenographer
lawyer
politician
Antonio Manuel Fernández was a United States representative from New Mexico, elected to seven consecutive terms from 1942 to 1956.