New Mexico State University biology professor Kathryn Hanley was selected as the 2026 Professor of the Year by Conference USA, an NCAA Division I athletic conference. CUSA is made up of universities primarily located in the Southern and Western United States that compete at the highest level of college sports.

The 2026 CUSA Professor of the Year was voted on by the member institution’s provosts. The award comes with plaque and $15,000 to be presented in the fall at an athletic event chosen by NMSU.

“All of the CUSA nominees are amazing,” Hanley said. “I am pleased to be honored, but anyone on that list could have been the winner. I think when students look at a university, having award-winning professors makes a difference when they make choices. That’s their gateway into knowing the professor better and knowing what they can learn from them. It also gives them a sense of confidence in the quality of the professors.”