Dr. Ronald W. Maestas – Top Latinos
Las Vegas, NM /LWW/ Dr. Ronald W. Maestas, Former Dean & Professor at New Mexico Highlands University has been recognized by the Top Latinos in the 2026 edition.
Dr. Ronald W. Maestas is a distinguished educator, accomplished author, celebrated coach, and renowned genealogist whose career spans over five decades. As a former Dean and Professor at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU), Dr. Maestas dedicated 45 years to shaping the institution and its students. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from Adams State College and his Ed.D. from Arizona State University. Furthering his expertise, he completed post-doctoral work in Management Information Systems at the University of Minnesota and Indiana University. Throughout his career, Dr. Maestas demonstrated a profound commitment to education, mentoring over 100 students who went on to earn their doctoral degrees. He also worked tirelessly to support Native American and Hispanic communities, securing funding and developing programs to promote education and professional development for underrepresented groups. He is a member of the Association of Computing Machinery and the Data Processing Management Association.
Dr. Maestas is a proud member of the Maestas Case, a landmark legal battle that took place in 1905. His ancestor, Francisco Maestas, moved his family from La Madera, New Mexico, to Alamosa, Colorado, where he worked for the railroad. When Francisco attempted to enroll his son Miguel Antonio in school, the superintendent insisted the boy attend the segregated Mexican school rather than the American school. With the support of a Catholic priest and the SPMDTU, a fraternal organization, Francisco filed a lawsuit. The State Court ruled in favor of the Maestas family, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against educational segregation. This case preceded other landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and Mendez v. Westminster. To honor the Maestas family, a bronze statue now resides in the Alamosa Judicial Complex, and the Maestas Committee is working to establish a scholarship for students in Colorado and New Mexico. Dr. Maestas has generously donated an extensive collection of Indian jewelry, retablos, and bultos to support this scholarship.
In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Maestas made a significant impact in athletics. As the head coach of NMHU’s cross-country teams, he led them to national prominence in the NAIA, achieving multiple top-ten finishes, including a runner-up position in 1987. His coaching excellence extended to the international stage when he was selected to coach the Swaziland Distance Team at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. His dedication to sports and his athletes earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame, the New Mexico Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Prominent Hispanic Coaches Hall of Fame, and the NMHU H-Club Hall of Honor. Beyond coaching, Dr. Maestas served as a referee and umpire for basketball, baseball, and softball for over 43 years, officiating numerous district, regional, and state tournaments.
Dr. Maestas is also a prolific author and technology advocate. He co-authored 39 computer textbooks, including 13 on Microsoft Windows, covering versions from Windows 3.0 to Windows 2000, as well as Microsoft Office. His publications include Understanding and Using Microsoft Windows 98 (with Emily Ketcham and Bruce Baumgartner), Understanding and Using Microsoft Windows 95 (with Stevan C. Ross), West Essentials of Windows 95 (with Stevan C. Ross), Understanding and Using Windows 3.1 (with Stevan C. Ross), and Essentials of Microsoft Windows 3.1 (with Stevan C. Ross). His expertise in technology earned him recognition as a Beta Tester for Microsoft, and his contributions were celebrated with his portrait being prominently displayed on the Times Square Billboard in New York City. Beyond technology, Dr. Maestas authored a monumental three-volume work, La Fe de Mis Amigos, Vecinos Parientes y Mis Padres, a 2,500-page series that showcases the rich tradition of Hispanic Colonial Art in New Mexico and southern Colorado. This work highlights the artistry of skilled Santeros and Santeras, preserving an important aspect of Hispanic heritage. He has also published a major book on Our Lady of Guadalupe, which has been accepted into the Vatican Library in Rome. Dr. Maestas had the honor of a private meeting with Saint John Paul II and attended the canonization of San Juan Diego in Mexico City.
A passionate genealogist for over 50 years, Dr. Maestas has published more than 180 volumes on prominent families in New Mexico and Colorado, tracing lineages spanning 600 years. His comprehensive genealogy database includes over 155,000 names. He has donated 180 fully documented genealogies to the University of Colorado and has been recognized with awards such as the Primeras Familias Certificate from the New Mexico Genealogy Society. Dr. Maestas has served as a State Historian for New Mexico and is a Life Member of the Fray Angelico Chavez Genealogical Society. He is a life member of the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America, an editor for Webtrees’ Hispanic Genealogical Research, and a member of the Colorado Hispanic Genealogy society, the Colorado Genealogy Association, and the New Mexico Genealogical Society. He is also an honorary member of Los Californianos, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Juan Bautista de Anza, for which he has served as a translation reviewer. His genealogical research has been featured in journals and conferences across Colorado and New Mexico, further cementing his reputation as a leading figure in the field.
Dr. Maestas’ contributions have been widely recognized with numerous honors and accolades. He has been awarded The Order of the Crown of Charlemagne (as a life member with Gateway Ancestor Juan Montes Vigil), The Order of The Crusaders (Alfonso J. Henriques), the Medagorian Dynasty (Mejovigorian Dynasty), and the Knights Templar. He has been nominated for La Orden de Isabella La Catholica, the highest honor given by King Juan Carlos of Spain to individuals residing in the United States. Dr. Maestas has traced his genealogy to Asturias and Olvidio, Spain, and was invited to speak at Granada, Alhambra, where Queen Isabella provided financial support to Christopher Columbus for his voyage to the Americas.
On a personal level, Dr. Maestas is married to Monica Muniz Maestas, and together they have three accomplished children: Lisa Renee, a CPA and attorney; Raymond, an attorney; and Dominic Ron, a professional engineer with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. In his spare time, Dr. Maestas enjoys being a jewelry gold/silversmith, racquetball, and officiating high school sports including basketball, baseball, softball, and wrestling. He is a member of the United States Racquetball Association. As a racquetball player, he has won national titles, including the National Singles 60+ C and National Doubles 55+ C championships.
Dr. Ronald W. Maestas’ life is a testament to his unwavering dedication to education, athletics, cultural preservation, and community service. His legacy continues to inspire and impact generations across diverse fields, leaving an indelible mark on academia, sports, and the preservation of Hispanic heritage.
Top Latinos is a prestigious New York publication dedicated to honoring the achievements of the Latino community. They meticulously identify and honor outstanding Latino professionals nationwide who have reached impressive levels of success in their respective fields. By showcasing their accomplishments, they aim to foster growth and appreciation of the Latino industry and culture. Since their establishment in 2010, Top Latinos has been wholeheartedly committed to fulfilling their mission of bringing awareness to the exceptional contributions made by the Latino professional and executive community.