JPTSJS Symposium History 2005 - 2026

History of the J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium

Brief Description

The J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium is an expression of NMSU's land grant mission, which each year is devoted to an issue of concern to the state and region. In 2005, the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University established the J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium (JPTSJS). The symposia are designed to build upon existing university and community partnerships through reciprocal education, outreach and strategizing as part of NMSU’s land-grant mission. Each year scholars, students, community stakeholders and policy makers gather from across the state and region to explore, learn, and work together on strategies for reform and justice. Each symposium has generated local, national and transnational attention addressing varied themes of social justice outlined below.

LIST OF PREVIOUS J. PAUL TAYLOR SOCIAL JUSTICE SYMPOSIA

2025-2026: Ni Una Más: Standing Together Against Feminicide and Gender-Based Violence

The 20th annual symposium came at a crucial time in this country’s history. The public discourse surrounding the utility of a college education has become increasingly hostile over recent years as universities have been painted as places of elitist and anti-exclusionary thinking. At NMSU, nothing could be further from the truth. As a Hispanic-Serving and Land Grant Institution, NMSU takes pride in serving the needs of our communities and constituents. As evidence of the good work that is done in the classroom and related to our research agendas, the symposium highlighted several disciplines within the college via a series of keynote talks by various professors, including Dr. Elba Serrano (Biology), Dr. Patricia MacGregor-Mendoza (Languages & Linguistics), Dr. Spencer R. Herrera (Languages & Linguistics), Prof. Larissa Lury (Theatre), Dr. Nicholas Natividad (Criminal Justice), and Dr. Phame Camarena (Dean of Honor’s College). The pursuit of knowledge via higher education is one of the pillars of our democracy and a strength of this nation. The work being done at NMSU is proof that the university system in the U.S. is a key to social mobility and upholding the values that we hold dearly in this country.

2024-2025: Justice for Knowledge

2023-2024: Transformational Leadership: Women, Gender Diversity and Social Justice

The 19th annual symposium commemorates 35 years of the academic program, Gender & Sexuality Studies as well as women's, feminist, and LGBTQ+ studies at NMSU and in local partner schools. The symposium highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership and the impact of collective voices in the work for social change. The day began with a blessing ceremony by members of the Tortugas Pueblo followed by a video welcome from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Local, state, and community leaders, and NMSU faculty and students served as panelists throughout the day, and community social justice award recipients were honored. The symposium ended with a keynote/closing dialogue between Chancellor Monica Torres and Chancellor Sherry Kollman.

2022-2023: Justice for Journalists

The 18th annual J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium’s theme of “Justice for Journalists” honors journalists for keeping us informed, providing an outlet for our voices, and functioning as a cornerstone of our democracy. Their work is essential to social justice, and we invite the community to learn more about journalism in the borderland region. Our keynote speaker will be Katherine Corcoran, former Associated Press Bureau Chief for Mexico and Central America. Ms. Corcoran led an award-winning team that broke major stories about cartel and state violence and abuse of authority in those regions. Her columns have appeared in The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, Time, and Univision Online, among others. She is the author of the new book, In the Mouth of the Wolf: A Murder, a Cover-Up, and the True Cost of Silencing the Press (Bloomsbury, 2022), (April 12-13, 2023).

2021-2022: Cultivando el Futuro: Celebrating 20 years of the NMSU College Assistance Migrant Program

The 17th annual J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium’s theme is “Cultivando el Futuro (Cultivating the Future): Celebrating 20 years of NMSU CAMP,” and will take place Friday and Saturday, April 1-2, 2022, during Farmworker Awareness Week. This symposium will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the New Mexico State University’s College Assistance Migrant Program (NMSU CAMP) which has served over 564 students since 2002. Former NMSU CAMP students, now professionals, who are living in New Mexico and across the U.S., will serve on a panel Friday evening to discuss their journeys from agricultural fields to their chosen professional fields and their time at NMSU. The Tortugas Pueblo will open our virtual symposium with a blessing, followed by the NMSU Government Department’s Social Justice Award recipient/s. Saturday’s keynote features a champion of farmworkers, Dolores Huerta, President and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and co-founder of the United Farmworkers of America.

2020-2021: Justice for Farmworkers

This year’s virtual 16th annual J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium will take place the week of March 28-April 2, 2021, during Farmworker Awareness Week. This year’s theme is ‘Justice for Farmworkers,’ which will center on questions of social justice pertaining to essential farmworkers in our border region, as they continue to sustain our communities with their labor. Scheduled for over six days, evening zoom sessions will include a wide range of scholars, legal experts, activists, educators, farmworkers, and farmworker advocates. Panelists will discuss important elements of the history of farm workers; the legal challenges they face; environmental and health disparities and food insecurities they endure; challenges with access to education; and other important topics. Opening ceremonies will be led by members of Tortugas Pueblo, and New Mexico Attorney Hector Balderas will offer a keynote presentation. The NMSU Government Department’s Social Justice Award and JPTSJS Community Award recipients will also be mentioned. The week-long events will end with the film, Hailing César by Eduardo Chávez, grandson of César Chávez, and a discussion with the filmmaker.

2019: Justice for Migrants

Named for a respected former state representative and educator, the J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium started in 2005 when Taylor suggested strategies for bringing resources of the university to address problems faced by underserved populations in the southwest. The goal of this symposium is to reflect on the philosophical values, public narratives and community organizing that go into the defense and promotion of human rights of immigrants, residents of border communities, DREAMers, asylum seekers and all migrants in Mexico and the US.

2018: Indivisible Justice Beyond Walls & Borders

"Indivisible Justice Beyond Walls & Borders” is the theme of the 2018 J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium. On Thursday, March 15, the symposium will include a full day of discussions, films and events concerning borders, militarization, and the impact of border communities at the U.S.-Mexico border and Palestine. Named for a respected state representative and educator, the J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium started in 2005 when Taylor suggested strategies for bringing resources of the university to address problems faced by underserved populations in the southwest.

2017: Voices of the Invisible Majority: Social Justice and Mental Health

Since 2005, the College of Arts and Sciences has hosted an annual symposium related to a social justice issue on the main campus of New Mexico State University. Held in J. Paul Taylor’s name, the symposium honors the former teacher and state representative’s lifelong commitments to the people of our region and New Mexico. The symposium grew out of a conversation between then NMSU presidential candidate, Michael Martin and Mr. Taylor regarding strategies for bringing the scholarship, teaching, and other resources of the university to bear on the problems faced by the least privileged citizens of our region and the state.

2016: Social Justice for LGBTQ Identities in the Borderlands

The 12th annual Symposium, to be held at NMSU's Center for the Arts on March 22-23 2016, is
centered around the theme of "Social Justice for LGBTQ Identities in the Borderlands." This theme builds on the track record and experience of previous Symposiums, and specifically reflects guiding threads related to exploring the impact in New Mexico of research and scholarship regarding public policy and advocacy on immigrants, youth, women, and communities of color, which were highlighted through last year´s program and participants. This year will include examples of a diverse range of cultural expressions related to LGBTQ identities and issues.

2015: Justice for Migrant Youth and Children

Justice for Migrant Children and Youth is the focus of the 11th annual J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium beginning Saturday, March 14, followed by events on March 17-18. The three-day symposium, hosted by New Mexico State University’s College of Arts and Sciences, will include films, poets, panel discussions, and question-and-answer sessions with human rights advocates. The symposium is held each year to honor J. Paul Taylor for his lifelong commitment to the people of New Mexico as an educator, legislator and community leader.

2014: Justice for Native Peoples

This annual J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium focused on Native peoples and the variety of injustices they experience including poverty, lack of access to quality health care and education among many other issues. This year’s symposium is titled, “Justice for Native Peoples: Historical Trauma, Contemporary Images, and Human Rights” as it marks its 10th anniversary at New Mexico State University.”

2012/2013: Quality of Life Initiative of Dona Ana County

The 8th Annual J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium “aims to engage community members in establishing a shared understanding of what quality of life means for southern New Mexicans. Symposium participants will discuss quality of life issues in some of the most critical segments of the community: education, housing and community development, work and economic activity, family and community life, public safety and recreation and cultural activity.

2011: Justice for the Children of Detained and Incarcerated Parents

“This year's symposium will include a series of panels and discussions with 20 guest speakers from around the region who will address the impact on children with imprisoned or detained parents in New Mexico. In addition, youth from the J. Paul Taylor facility will be featured speakers and guests who will be reading or performing creative work on the first day. The event will culminate with working group sessions committed to a Children's Bill of Rights, which will target opportunities for organizing sustainable change in policy and practice on behalf of these children.”

2010: Service Learning and Social Justice

(Information unavailable)

2009: Justice for Youth

This year’s symposium focus is “Justice for Youth.” NMSU students will learn about juvenile justice system reform and best practices first-hand through their involvement with organizing the symposium including a provider fair and preparing a documentary on incarcerated youth. The film project gives students the opportunity to work closely with incarcerated youth to learn about the impact of statewide reforms on their experience. This is an excellent example of the land grant mission of NMSU - integrating teaching and service to the state," Lisa Bond-Maupin said.

2008: Justice for Immigrants

The 4th Annual J. Paul Taylor Justice Symposium was held April 2 to 4 at New Mexico State University. This year's symposium is titled "Justice for Immigrants." Panel discussions were held to discuss several issues about immigration, justice and the border. Other events across campus included the "Seven-String Barbed-Wire Fence: The Many Faces of Latino Immigration in the United States" by photographer, Diana Molina.

2007: Environmental Justice

"Environmental Justice: Unifying Research and Activism" is the focus of this year's J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium at New Mexico State University March 29 through 31. The symposium includes several guest speakers and panel discussions, a tree planting ceremony, and a visit to Sunland Park to discuss a landfill and other environmental justice issues. “Environmental justice is about uniting our thoughts and actions to create more equitable and healthier communities," said Neil Harvey, one of the symposium organizers, director of the NMSU Center for Latin American and Border Studies and an associate professor of government. "We hope the symposium will stimulate debate about the kind of future we want for our region and our world and are looking forward to a lively and productive exchange of ideas and experiences from activists and researchers."

2006: Justice for Women of Juarez

The Justice for Women symposium took place March 29-31. It was one of the largest gatherings of individuals working to end femicides in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico, where at the time over 400 women and girls were killed. Over three days, experts and researchers from across the country and Mexico, including families of the murdered women and girls gave testimonials and important information on the topic. Forensic experts such as Oscar Maynez, former forensic chief of the Chihuahua state police, and Mercedes Doretti, of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, were among the participants.

2005: Justice for Youth

This founding J. Paul Taylor Social Justice symposium brought together a cross-section of participants from NMSU and the surrounding community. Then NMSU President Michael V. Martin placed emphasis on issues of social justice and highlighted their importance as part of the university's character during his inaugural address. The symposium was a direct outgrowth of a conversation between Martin and Taylor, a former educator, state legislator and leader in the field of social justice. Its intent is to critically examine the university's role in society and to work toward social justice in partnership with the community. The founding Chair for this symposium was incarcerated youth advocate and Criminal Justice Professor, Lisa Bond-Maupin.