Jerry D. Wallace

Jerry D. Wallace is a Professor in the Department of History at New Mexico State University, where he contributes to the College of Arts and Sciences with a strong focus on Borderlands History, Environmental History, and Public History. His scholarship bridges academic and community engagement, particularly in southern New Mexico.

Education:

• B.A. in History and Government, New Mexico State University
• M.A. in History, New Mexico State University
• Ph.D. in History, University of New Mexico

His research explores the cultural and environmental dynamics of the U.S. West, especially in the US-Mexico borderlands. Key interests include historic preservation, urban development, human-animal relationships, and the role of public memory in shaping regional identity. He investigates how architecture, neighborhoods, and everyday spaces reflect broader historical narratives.

His recent and forthcoming publications reveal a thematic focus on architectural heritage, environmental ethics, and the cultural afterlives of abandoned places. These works span disciplines such as cultural history, urban studies, and environmental humanities, often centered on New Mexico and the Southwest.

Scientific Awards:

• Lansing B. Bloom Award (2023)
• Mellon Faculty Fellow (2020, 2023)

Professor Wallace actively mentors students through graduate seminars in Public History and Historic Preservation. He has secured research funding through the Mellon Fellowship and contributes to academic service as Chair of the Historic Preservation Committee in Las Cruces and member of the Editorial Board for the New Mexico Historical Review. He is deeply involved in community-based projects such as The Murals of Las Cruces and The Murals of El Paso.

He leads public history initiatives and serves on multiple advisory boards, including the Taylor-Mesilla Advisory Board and Imagining America Steering Committee. His work exemplifies engaged scholarship, connecting university resources with civic memory and cultural preservation.