Beyond Borders:

The implementation of a supported community of practice is a relatively new concept at NMSU, developed through convening and discussions started in Fall 2017 and continuing throughout the Fall 2019 semester. The creation of the community of practice, Beyond Borders, will provide 1) member mentorship, 2) support for project incubation, and 3) convening, coalescing, communication, and clearinghouse functions for work that focuses on international, hemispheric, and border regions.

Established by former Provost Carol Parker in alignment with the LEADS 2025 Global Challenge, “Healthy Borders,” the Beyond Borders Community of Practice supports faculty and staff who are interested in building and supporting community around applied research and creative works exploring a broad range of border issues, interdisciplinary internationalization of the curriculum, and community engagement and extension. 

Beyond Borders receives programming and logistical support from the Provost’s Office and the Office of the Vice President for Research, and will work with the research office to secure externally funded contracts and grants to facilitate and incubate initiatives, with the goal of these initiatives becoming financially self-sustainable. 

To lead the initiative, Dr. Christopher Brown has been selected as the inaugural Faculty Fellow for the Beyond Borders Community of Practice. Brown became interested in U.S.-Mexico border issues while doing his Ph.D. research in the early 1990s. He has been actively involved in studying binational water resource issues on the U.S.-Mexico border. Brown’s specific areas of interest include binational water resource policy and water quality and supply in U.S.-Mexico border twin city regions. Of special interest to NMSU’s Beyond Borders Community of Practice effort, Brown has worked to develop metrics by which the quality of life of U.S.-Mexico border residents can be measured, specifically developing a human development index for Doña Ana County. Brown has also provided leadership to the Good Neighbor Environment Board, the Association of Borderland Studies, the Western Social Science Association and the Ocotillo Institute for Social Justice.