Colin Bell ’24 grew up playing the game of Monopoly with his family – and beating the pants off them all.
Maybe that’s where he developed a taste for money management. Now a senior studying finance at
New Mexico State University, Colin will graduate in December 2024 and join the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in Atlanta, Georgia. There, he will become a bank examiner, helping
financial institutions protect their depositors by evaluating their performance and auditing their records
to make sure they don’t fail.
Originally from right outside Atlanta, Colin spent most of his childhood with his family on their farm in
Eufaula, Alabama, or in Powder Springs, Georgia. But he suddenly found himself in Alamogordo, New
Mexico when his mother remarried during middle school and her husband got transferred to Holloman
Airforce Base in Otero County. Colin finished high school there and fell in love with the Land of
Enchantment, relishing the taste of green chiles and the beauty of his surroundings.
College was never in doubt for Colin, and he planned to follow in the footsteps of his parents. His mother
received two degrees in education, and his father earned a degree in criminal justice. But finding his
niche was another matter, as he struggled to find the field he wanted to enter post-graduation.
As his senior year approached, Colin began to study the reputation of the College of Business at New
Mexico State University, hoping to turn his penchant for managing Monopoly money into a career. He
found the College of Business faculty to be highly qualified and the choice of majors to be well-rounded.
Choosing NMSU was easy once he learned he could apply for the opportunity scholarship. That, plus
earning the Dino & Heidi Camunez Family and Raquel Bone Endowed scholarships—both endowed by
successful and loyal College of Business graduates—made NMSU the right choice.
Being a military kid also paid off as he quickly made friends in his new surroundings. “I felt I could go into
any room and make myself relatable to all the people I met, and I knew that was a valuable skill,” he
says. He connected with his classmates, his professors, and Black Programs, serving as the inaugural
President of the NMSU NAACP College Chapter. “That was one of the first steps I learned in business
school – the value of networking,” Colin remembers.
Cecil Rose, Director of Black Programs in the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at NMSU, noticed
Colin’s drive the first time he met him. “Colin embodies my vision for Black Programs, showcasing
scholarship in the classroom, advocacy for his community, and leadership across multiple organizations,”
Rose says.
Colin’s first three years at NMSU were joyful. He loved going to football games and experiencing all the
amenities of the NMSU campus. But while he enjoyed his classes and made great connections, Colin still
felt nervous about taking the major steps that would solidify his career choice.
Last Christmas, his father sat him down at the breakfast table and asked him if he was ready to face the
world after graduation. “He said, ‘Son, stop procrastinating – life is on the way. Surround yourself with
like-minded people, with people who want to see you win,” says Colin. “So, I did.”
He joined the Finance Student Association and the business fraternity, sought advice from Professor
Paula Groves and Dr. Kim Kerr, and even connected with College of Business Dean Bryan Ashenbaum.
“Colin exemplifies our Aggie values: hard work, embracing challenges, and maintaining a positive
outlook,” says Groves. “His success not only stands on its own but also makes him an inspiring role
model for other students.”
It was Professor Groves who talked Colin into applying for his summer internship at the OCC in Atlanta. “I
applied for the internship, and to my surprise, I made it to the final round—it felt like a big pat on the
back,” he recalls. “When I got the internship, everything clicked—I saw how what we learn in class
connects to the real world.”
Colin will join the office full-time once he graduates in December. The OCC’s mission—ensuring that
national banks and FSAs operate safely and soundly, provide fair access to financial services, treat
customers fairly, and comply with applicable laws and regulations—fosters trust in banking and the OCC.
“The more I applied myself and the more I got involved, the quicker I found what I wanted to do,” says
Colin. “The business school gives you lots of tools. Job fairs got me interested in my future career
direction. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but by serving in the Finance Student Association – I found
my purpose.”
While Colin is excited about his new life in Atlanta after graduation, he’s keeping an open mind. “I’m a
huge Atlanta Braves fan, so I can’t wait to start living my best life in the city, but I’m open to whatever
comes my way,” he says—whether that means career opportunities or a location change. “I’m pretty
much ready for anything.”
He’s also considering going for his MBA, which he would do online through NMSU’s Global Campus. But
one thing that won’t change for Colin is his passion for helping people manage their money safely and
wisely—whether with major financial institutions or smaller banks.
“When I was a kid, it was always my plan to help pay for college because I know what student debt can
do to your finances,” he says. “I want to help people feel confident that they’re managing their money
wisely, whether they’re with a big bank or a small one. That’s something everyone can benefit from.”
In other words, Mr. Monopoly would be proud.
MSC 3AD
PO Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003