Victor Schiller
Graduate Spotlight: Victor Schiller
Master’s Student, Class of 2025
At New Mexico Tech, students aren’t just shaped by challenging coursework, they’re molded by community, resilience, and in some cases, a little bit of martial arts. Victor Schiller, who recently earned his master’s degree in Chemistry, embodies all of that and more.
Victor first arrived at Tech five years ago, a self-described "uptight" 18-year-old from Belen, New Mexico. Back then, college wasn’t a carefully plotted choice, it was more about following his friends, most of whom eventually transferred or moved on. But Victor stayed. He grew. And he thrived.
“Going through Tech made me a lot more confident, maybe even a little cocky,” Victor joked during his recent interview on the K-Tek Show with host David Koshkin. “But honestly, Tech helped me grow into an adult. It’s been a really positive experience.”
Victor’s journey wasn’t just about academics. While he admits grad school left him little free time, he made a deliberate effort early on to find fun and community at Tech, something he considers crucial to surviving the rigorous environment.
He helped revive and lead student organizations, notably expanding the Martial Arts Club from a small gathering to a thriving community. He also co-founded a fraternity during the COVID-19 shutdown, helping reestablish a sense of connection when the campus was nearly deserted. “We wanted to leave something better behind,” he said. “And I think we did.”
Victor's involvement went beyond clubs and community, too. He worked at the library during the pandemic , a time he described as “incredibly boring” due to the lack of students, meticulously shelf-reading thousands of books. Later, he contributed to student wellness by helping launch a peer support program through the Counseling Center, offering students a way to talk through everyday stress without formal therapy.
On the academic side, Victor's master's research tackled cutting-edge chemistry: repurposing herbicides for use in large-scale battery technologies, utilizing advanced spectro-electrochemistry techniques. His work is aimed at helping cities store energy more efficiently, a vital piece of the future energy landscape.
Despite the heavy workload, Victor maintained strong, personal relationships with Tech’s faculty. “At first, professors are skeptical you’ll even make it through. But by the end, you’re basically friends with them,” he said, fondly recalling conversations about movies with Chemistry Department Chair Dr. Piyasena and close mentorship from Dr. Holubowitch.
As for what’s next, Victor has been actively applying for jobs, especially at Pajarito Powder, a chemical manufacturing company he's particularly excited about. (For any Tech alumni reading, if you’re hiring a chemist with a knack for teamwork and big energy, Victor’s your guy!)
Reflecting back, Victor would tell his freshman self to "relax and be patient." He acknowledges he was too rigid in his early days, worried about every misstep. “It’s okay to mess up. You’ll bounce back.”
Victor Schiller leaves New Mexico Tech with much more than a degree, he leaves a lasting impact, a strengthened community, and a reminder that success often starts with simply sticking it out.
Congratulations, Victor — we can't wait to see where your journey leads next!