Student Employee Directory
Brianna Bennett
Graduate Assistant, BizSprint
Brianna Bennett is a Graduate Assistant for BizSprint, where she leads marketing and coordinates communication for Sprint courses. She is pursuing an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology at NMSU, focusing on supporting diverse learning environments. Brianna brings strong organization and communication skills to her role and enjoys reading, hiking, and discovering local coffee shops when she's not supporting entrepreneurship or advancing her studies.
Rebecca Nordquist
Communications Assistant, Studio G and Fintech Lab
Rebecca Nordquist supports communications and outreach for Studio G and the Fintech Lab. She assists with social media content, advertising, event planning, and execution. Rebecca also co-hosts The Bold Business Breakdown podcast, where she helps spotlight entrepreneurs and program activities. Her work builds engagement across student communities and enhances visibility for key initiatives at Arrowhead Center.
Diego Sanchez
Graduate Assistant, Innovation Ecosystem Connect
Diego Sanchez supports the development of the Innovation Ecosystem Connect (IEC) platform at Arrowhead Center. A graduate student in experimental psychology at NMSU, Diego focuses on engineering psychology and user experience research. He holds a B.S. in Psychology, with a minor in Philosophy, from Western New Mexico University and applies human-centered design principles to improve platform usability and functionality for startup and innovation ecosystems.
Hashem Aliedeh
Graduate Assistant, AIBE
Hashem Aliedeh is a Graduate Assistant for the American Indian Business Enterprise (AIBE) Center, where he manages the Native American Agricultural Fund Grant. A final-year MBA student at NMSU, Hashem supports Native American farmers in developing value-added products through freeze-drying and expanding market access. His thesis focuses on healthcare technology adoption. He brings cultural awareness, business insight, and a passion for community impact to his role at Arrowhead Center.
Mario Serna
Student Graphic Designer, Arrowhead Center
Mario Serna is a Student Graphic Designer at Arrowhead Center and a returning student studying Digital Graphics Technology at DACC. With prior professional experience, Mario brings adaptability and creative problem-solving to his design work. His passion for continuous learning is reflected in his commitment to refining his skills and delivering high-quality visual content for Arrowhead’s programs and clients.
Liam Etue
Student Designer, Arrowhead Center
Liam Etue is a Student Designer at Arrowhead Center, where he supports the University Center’s social media and marketing efforts. He is pursuing a B.F.A., with a minor in Advertising, at NMSU. Liam has experience in branding, poster design, layout, and publication graphics. He brings creativity and a strong visual voice to digital storytelling. In his free time, he enjoys playing drums and skateboarding.
Damien DeRego
Graduate Research Assistant, Arrowhead Center
Damien DeRego is a Graduate Research Assistant at Arrowhead Center. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from New Mexico Highlands University, and is currently pursuing an Ed.S. in School Psychology at NMSU. His skills include literature review, thesis-writing, and data analysis. Damien supports research-driven projects and brings a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to his work. He enjoys hiking, movies, and gaming.
Zion Lopez
Social Media Designer, CERG and Space
Zion Lopez supports communications and design efforts for CERG and Space at Arrowhead Center. As Social Media Designer, Zion creates visual materials for programs, manages content across multiple platforms, and collaborates closely with the design and communications team to ensure cohesive branding. He assists with generating digital assets, coordinating posts, and highlighting program initiatives to engage audiences and expand visibility. By blending creative design skills with strategic communication, Zion helps promote CERG and Space projects, showcase student and faculty achievements, and strengthen outreach efforts that connect innovative ideas with the broader entrepreneurial community.
Jessica Mercado
Graphic Designer, IP Office
Jessica Mercado is an undergraduate at NMSU who supports the IP Office at Arrowhead Center. She assists with social media campaigns and contributes graphic design work, including social media graphics and flyers. Beyond the IP Office, Jessica also supports projects across Arrowhead Center, helping strengthen outreach and communications efforts for multiple programs.