Author Archives: Mario Sanchez

Western New Mexico University recently attained the designation of official “Tree Campus” by the Arbor Day Foundation higher education program that recognizes sustainability through the building and maintenance of university community forests. Established in 2008, the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus Higher Education initiative encourages colleges and universities across the nation to create an approach that would allow for institutions to grow community forests while working toward efficacy and conservation. “WNMU has made environmental sustainability part of its mission toward better serving our students and community by working toward creating a more beautiful and healthier campus for future generations,” said WNMU Horticulture Coordinator Chala Werber. “This designation is an important step toward the university’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2025 as well as our continued good stewardship and preservation of the Gila region, a goal we are collectively committed...

The Western New Mexico University Outdoor Program’s new manager is no stranger to seeking adventure in any terrain, and Will Tracy is keen on creating memorable experiences for students while keeping an eye toward expanding the program to include an eventual undergraduate degree in outdoor leadership and adventure education, the first of its kind in New Mexico. Growing up in urban Pennsylvania, Tracy discovered a love for being outside and the physical and mental challenges that come with navigating outdoor obstacles. “My childhood recreational activities mainly consisted of climbing cell phone towers, crawling through highway underpasses and exploring gaps in spaces throughout the city,” Tracy said. Bringing experience in higher education to WNMU, most recently Tracy comes to Silver City from the White Mountains of New Hampshire where he taught adventure education at Plymouth State University and acted as a member of the search and rescue team. “I started making trips to...

Last year the New Mexico state Legislature designated WNMU as the New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education, providing both recognition and funding avenues for WNMU to continue the work of creating meaningful solutions to the challenges of early childhood development and educator training in New Mexico. Best known for providing local residents with early childhood and family services for decades, the newly achieved legislative designation provides an opportunity for the center to expand its services and develop the standard for programs statewide. “In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognized the potentially negative impact the move to remote learning and community lockdowns would have on the development of young children and stability of families,” said Cindy Martinez, Ed.D., director of NM Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education. “We worked to develop tools and information for early childhood educators and parents who were having...

Western New Mexico University Adult Education Services is being revitalized and looking to become more responsive and adaptable to the local and regional workforce by Colton Bjerke, who is now steering the programs. Historically known for providing free high school equivalency exam preparation, WNMU Adult Education Services also offers English as a second language classes and digital literacy instruction for free. And, Bjerke is working to expand services to include integrated education and vocational training plus civics education for migrants. While most services have lately been offered online, Bjerke is working to bring face-to-face courses and tutoring back to southwest New Mexico citizens at the university’s Silver City and Deming locations. The self-paced high school equivalency exam preparation WNMU offers is course-based and designed to allow people to start at the level that makes the most sense for them. Students who go through the program and earn their GED or...

This fall, 364 students earned degrees from Western New Mexico University, and the Mustang community celebrated their achievement through a hybrid commencement ceremony that once again allowed for the participation of both grads on campus and those living and attending WNMU at a distance. Of the graduates who received diplomas from WNMU this fall, 229 chose to participate in year's fall graduation ceremony, with 169 walking across the Fine Arts Center Theatre stage and 60 participating over Zoom. WNMU awarded 54 associate degrees, 157 bachelor’s degrees, 136 master’s degrees, 14 graduate certificates, 28 certificates and 2 fast track certificates. Additionally, 159 WNMU students across all programs graduated with honors, including members of the WNMU Millennium III Honors Program. To earn the distinction, students in a graduate program must receive a 4.0 GPA, with students graduating with an undergraduate degree or certificate earring a 3.5 GPA or higher. The fall 2022...

The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents awarded emeritus designation to retiring WNMU College of Education Professor Dr. Candelario Jauregui, approved four new associate programs as part of the five-year degree plan, considered a revision to the university’s capital outlay plan and caught up with faculty, staff and student leadership representatives in person during their meeting, which was conducted in a hybrid manner Thursday. While a portion of the meeting was spent reviewing and approving financial documents, including a mid-year budget adjustment request and two revisions to the five-year capital outlay and improvement plan, the regents spent time listening to informational reports from representatives across campus, including Faculty Senate President Dr. Scott Smith, Staff Senate President Adele Springer and Associated Students of WNMU President Fernando Martinez. Regent Chair Dr. Mary Hotvedt presided over the meeting from the Serna Conference Room along with...