Learn more about the dedicated team behind our LGBT+ programs. Meet our passionate staff members who are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the community. Discover their roles, expertise, and contributions as they work tirelessly to support and advocate for LGBT+ individuals.

Lore Falls (they/them) is the Program Specialist for LGBT+ Programs. They are a queer nonbinary scholar and activist whose background is in medical and visual anthropology. They are originally from the village of Tijeras, NM (so they are always surprised when people describe Las Cruces as “small”). Lore has been part of LGBT+ Programs at NMSU since 2019, first as a student, then as a student leader, then as a student employee, and now as professional staff. You may recognize them as the former Student Program Coordinator of LGBT+ Programs and as DJ Falls at our annual Fall and Spring Drag Shows. Lore is passionate about supporting ALL NMSU students, faculty, and staff in their academic and nonacademic endeavors; creating genuinely collaborative and intersectional programming and spaces; advocating for our LGBT+ and ally students, staff, faculty, and community members; and connecting NMSU and NMSU students to the broader queer community (and community organizations) of Las Cruces. You can find Lore at events in and outside of LGBT+ Programs and the Office of LEAP, tabling and doing outreach at orientations and fairs across campus and the community, facilitating SafeZone trainings, or in LGBT+ Programs (Corbett 208)!

Fun Fact: Lore was forklift certified while working in the Garden Center at Lowe’s. They were also in a dance and experimental film concert on the mainstage at Eastern New Mexico University as an undergraduate there.

Emily Burr is the temporary Administrative Assistant to NMSU's LGBT+ Programs, American Indian Program, and Asian and Pacific Islander Program. Before stepping into this role, Emily could be found in the LGBT+ Programs office serving as an undergrad student aide and official bibrarian. She has also previously worked in county government, and she recently graduated with her bachelor's degree in English from NMSU.

Fun Fact: Emily sings in a local choir, and she enjoys visiting the local library to browse the seasonal displays and play mahjong. She wants you to know that all of the five OLGIM programs have lending libraries in their offices available to students, staff, and faculty.

Sara Hipps (she, her) is a master's level social work student and President of the Graduate Student Social Work Association. Her experience as a McNair Scholar supported her research in STEM student identity with Dr. Vincent-Ruz and prepared her for graduate school and beyond. Sara plans to be a school social worker after graduation and is focusing on enhancing her school-based practice skills to help students strengthen their sense of identity, develop self-efficacy, and build the foundation for both academic and life-long success.

Fun Fact: Sara has worked professionally as a custom cake baker and designer before switching careers to social work.

STUDENT INTERN