Bishop Cervantes (2024) 

Soon-to-be graduate Bishop Cervantes’ journey to earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from New Mexico Tech began when he was a high school student in Belen. “I originally wanted to go out of state for college, but in my sophomore year of high school, we went on a tour of Tech. I saw the Chemistry labs and the campus and loved it here. Coming here is the best decision I ever made.” He started at Tech as a dual credit senior in high school as a Chemical Engineering major. Not quite his cup of tea, he briefly swapped to a Computer Science degree. But it was in a Calculus 2 course where the then freshman found solace. “I was flourishing in that class so I switched to the Mathematics major and fell in love with the department.” 

Bishop’s persistence paid off and he is currently finishing his Mathematics B.S. with a minor in Secondary Education. He is also a published researcher, having worked with Mathematics Associate Professor Gilberto Gonzalez-Parra, PhD, and another student, Giulia Luebben, on a 2023 paper titled “Study of optimal vaccination strategies for early COVID-19 pandemic using an age-structured mathematical model: A case study of the USA.”

Bishop cites Dr. Gonzalez-Parra as one of the major influences on his college education: “He has helped me learn so much and guided my college process as a mathematician. He’s so kind and authentic. I look up to him a lot.” He also thanks Theresa Apodaca, his minor advisor, for her guidance. “I’ve taken her classes every semester since my sophomore year. She’s had such a positive impact on my education.” 

Outside of the classroom Bishop has worked as an audio and light engineer for the Macey Center, a front desk receptionist for the campus gym, and a tutor and Physical Education teacher at Cottonwood Valley Charter School. His favorite things about Tech? The academics, the community, and the unique opportunities: “The program has not been easy, but I have learned so much and feel like I’m ready to go out into the professional world. I feel confident in my abilities.” Bishop also loves the small-knit community feel of campus and the relationships he’s forged with faculty and staff like Dean of Students Jennifer Chapman and Assistant Director for Alumni Relations Sandi Lucero. A well-rounded student, Bishop has truly taken advantage of every opportunity Tech has to offer: “I’ve made so many incredible memories and done a lot of growing up here. Every semester I got to try something new, and when I graduate I won’t have any regrets.” He has been part of intramurals like Swim Club, volleyball, tennis, kickboxing, and basketball, as well as extracurriculars like Swing Dancing Club, painting, and yoga.

Of all the incredible achievements and contributions he has made to Tech, Bishop is most proud of helping to recolonize the Pi Tau Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. “We bring life to campus,” Bishop says with a smile. Since being rechartered in December of 2023, the brothers have already broken campus records with the highest number of volunteer hours and over $1000 in donations to the Military Heroes Campaign. Off-campus Bishop has given back to the Socorro community as well, working as a tutor in local schools, and as a summer school algebra, guitar, and kickboxing teacher for Upward Bound. 

When asked what he wants high school-aged students considering attending Tech to know, he says “It is going to be hard but it is so worth it for the experiences you get, the things you learn about yourself, and the people you meet. College pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best ways. You meet so many incredible people from all over the world. You learn so much about the world.”

When he is not taking campus by storm, Bishop is an avid guitarist - he has been playing Flamenco and Spanish Classical since high school - and loves the outdoors (especially hiking and backpacking), and video games.

After he completes his bachelor’s degree this Spring, Bishop is staying at NMT to pursue his Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics. After that, his dream job is working in the private sector in math modeling. “I’d love to work in Emergency Response or for the CDC.”

Bishop wants to thank his two roommates, Victor and Adrian, for their support these last four years. “We are brothers”, he says, “We made this journey together.” He also thanks his siblings, his Dad, and his Mom - “She is the reason I am who I am" - for their love and support. 

We are thrilled Bishop is staying on for another degree at Tech, and we know his future will be bright.