Biography

Ruth Palacios is a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student at New Mexico State University from Deming, New Mexico, and a 2022 graduate of Deming High School. From ages 12 to 15, Ruth worked in agricultural fields planting and harvesting chili, onions, and watermelon, as well as picking crops, to support herself and afford school supplies and necessities. She met the recruiter of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) in high school, who guided her through the college application and FAFSA process, helping her enroll at NMSU, an opportunity she credits as life-changing. During her early years in college, Ruth initially focused heavily on work due to financial pressure and limited awareness of campus resources, but later reconnected with CAMP, which provided support and student employment, allowing her to balance academics and work successfully. She is now actively involved in CAMP as a participant, tutor, and mentor; she also participated in Aggies Without Limits and is a member of the Mini Baja Club. Ruth is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Business Administration and hopes to pursue a hands-on engineering career in the aerospace or automotive industries, including organizations such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, or Porsche. A unique fact about Ruth is that she feels most alive in nature and is deeply curious about how things work, combining her passion for problem-solving with a desire to lead and inspire others.