Shannon Rivera, Executive Director of Early Childhood Programs at Western New Mexico University, was recently appointed by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez to the State Early Learning Advisory Council.
Rivera overseas the nationally recognized Early Childhood program which consists of five programs including the Child Development Center, a lab site on the main campus. Other programs include the Family Council Center, providing comprehensive family support; and La Familia Resource Center, a training and technical assistance program serving eight counties.
“This appointment means a lot for our program as we continue to be leaders of early childhood education in our state,” said Rivera. “This guarantees that WNMU and the southern part of the state will have a voice.”
Rivera’s previous experience includes serving as the Director of the PreK Program at WNMU, a faculty member for the Early Childhood Programs and a curriculum coach for teachers at the Child Development Center and Growing Tree. She was also a Kindergarten Teacher at Central Elementary School in Santa Clara, NM.
Dr. Barbara Taylor, Dean for the School of Education, was recently appointed by the Council of Educator Preparation (CAEP) to serve as a member of the Volunteer Corps Site Visitor. CAEP is the accreditation agency for educators. The agency’s goals are to raise the performance of candidates as practitioners in the nation’s P-12 schools.
Other Grant County residents including former art professor Fred Barraza, who was appointed to the New Mexico Arts Commission, were recognized by Governor Martinez.