Author Archives: Mario Sanchez

WNMU Designated as Military Friendly

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Once again, WNMU has been designated as a "Military Friendly School" for 2024-2025. Using information made available through public sources, university data and from veterans themselves, the Military Friendly advisory council has awarded WNMU the silver designation, reflective of the university's continued commitment to ensuring those who served find opportunities following military...
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WNMU Top in Open Enrollment

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Western New Mexico University has been named as one of the top 2024 open enrollment institutions in the nation for students attending online by EDsmart. The university's open enrollment status makes education accessible and possible for students from every background and stage in life, while online education provides the flexibility many need to balance education, work and...
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WNMU Wins Top Marks for Online Programs

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Recently Intelligent.com ranked Western New Mexico University as having one of the best online education programs in the state. Citing research that includes the cost of tuition, student retention and graduation rates as well as the institution's reputation and online resources available for students, WNMU received top marks across the...
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WNMU Wins $5 Million Grant to Implement Regional Urban Forestry Project

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The Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Division of External Affairs was awarded a $5 million five-year grant project that plans, designs, plants, and maintains a set of urban forests across southwestern New Mexico. The project supports expanded and ecologically sound urban forests in the communities of Silver City, Santa Clara, Bayard, Hurley, Deming, and Lordsburg. “We are pleased to help support the fulfillment of WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard’s vision of 1,000 trees planted in the region through a grant-funded project that simultaneously supports our Provost Dr. William Crocker’s focus on offering accelerated, competency-based degrees that fast-track students to in-demand and higher-paying jobs regionally and beyond,” says Dr. Magdaleno Manzanárez, Vice President for External Affairs. “This is a critical breakthrough step for WNMU and our efforts to offer experiential learning opportunities that lead to immediate jobs connected to our environment that open up...
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Board of Regents Approve New Programs, Top Marks to President Shepard

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Members the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents presented their evaluation of university president Dr. Joseph Shepard for the ’23 fiscal year and rated his performance as excellent, meeting the conditions of a retention bonus stipulated in President Shepard’s contract, Friday. “We as a board recognized outstanding performances in all areas,” said Regent Dal Moellenberg with Regent Vice President Lyndon Haviland adding, “We have concluded that President Shepard has had an excellent year.” Noting the evaluation of the university’s president each year is tied to the strategic plan, the board also passed a new set of goals and objectives tied to the university’s new strategic plan, created through a process that included university-wide collaboration and input from the public. In his report, President Shepard provided fall enrollment projections remarking the university’s 4K Initiative continues to move forward. “The university continues to...
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MSW Awarded Top Honor

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EDUMed recently awarded top honors to the WNMU Master of Social Work program in evaluating more than 7,000 like programs nationwide. In comparing affordability, student support and outcomes and academic rigor, the fully online MSW program ranked first in the nation for 2024.  The program prepares culturally competent generalists ready to enter a competitive...
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Continuing to Turn the Page in the Digital Age

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Since its founding in 1893, the students, employees and surrounding community have looked to the university library for knowledge, enrichment and research guidance. But as the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology to provide information, WNMU has an eye on how the J. Cloyd Miller Library’s physical space can best be used in the digital age while ensuring the preservation of the printed knowledge housed within its walls. As part of the draft of the university’s Master Plan, WNMU expects to add new study spaces, areas for public events and access to dining as part of the expansion and remodel of Miller Library, among other changes. This planned transformation will continue modernization efforts made over the years such as the installation of a new computer lab, study and quiet spaces and areas that feature works of art. “As educators, parents and citizens, we recognize the need to assure continued access and preservation of printed materials while creating...
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WNMU Ranked Top Online MBA

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Online Master's Degrees has ranked WNMU as a top school of its online MBA program for 2023. Citing the program's overall quality, affordability and commitment to student success as compared to more than 7,000 other accredited programs from throughout the nation, the ranking also credited the university's work to ensure costs remain low across the board for WNMU...
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Mental Health Care with Holistic Flair

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Mustangs now have access to counseling services with the arrival of WNMU Mental Health Therapist Orlando Zapata, who is focused on not only providing access to quality mental health services for students but creating opportunities for academic advancement and opportunity. Arriving from Austin, TX, Zapata began his career in 2008 working in domestic violence and sexual assault centers, eventually working in group practice settings prior to his arrival to WNMU. With a focus on the student population, Zapata will provide one-on-one counseling, work to reestablish the Counseling Mental Health Center, which has been dormant for six years, as well as taking on the role of the university’s on-call mental health therapist. Eventually, Zapata would like to see the creation of a telemental health service for students attending classes online, providing greater access to counseling beyond the immediate campus boundaries. Also part of his long-term plan would see the university’s...
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WNMU Board of Regents Meet at State Capitol

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The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents received updates from state leaders, accepted the FY ’22 Audit Report and second quarter Financial Certification and a revision of the Capital Project Transmittal for the Deming Learning Center during their meeting last Thursday. The meeting followed Grant County Day at the state Legislature, a time when local representatives from the public and private sectors meet with state leaders and include highlights such as a packed house performance of Mariachi Plata de WNMU in the rotunda of the Roundhouse. Along with a trio of $15 million asks to develop a workforce training facility in the mining district, continue the work of making the university carbon neutral by 2025, and the construction of a facility to house the newly designated New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education, WNMU is also seeking funding for on-campus solar charging, the continued work to bring back NCAA baseball and establishing a women’s...
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