Author Archives: Abe Villarreal

WNMU Ranked On Top Lists For Online Degree Programs

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Year-end lists are popular this time of the year and Western New Mexico University has ranked high on at least two lists for affordability and academic excellence. WNMU ranks among the best online teaching programs for 2015-2016 by AffordableCollegesOnline.org (AC Online), a leading resource for online learning and college affordability information. "We featured institutions across the nation that are doing an incredible job of preparing tomorrow's educators," said Dan Schuessler, CEO and Founder of AC Online. "With a shortage of teachers in the classroom, the demand for educators is at an all-time high." AC Online ranked WNMU at #31 for its Most Affordable Online Colleges listing. WNMU’s School of Education offers fully online programs including the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and bachelor degrees in elementary and secondary education. Ranked schools meet a number of criteria and metrics, including the following: must be a public or private, not-for-profit...
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Former NM Higher Ed Secretary To Teach Course

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Former Secretary of Higher Education for the State of New Mexico Dr. Jose Garcia will teach a political science course at Western New Mexico University beginning in January. Recently retired from teaching at New Mexico State University, Garcia jumped at the opportunity to teach an entry-level course at WNMU for the upcoming spring semester. “My mother attended Western New Mexico University,” said Garcia. “I always thought it would be nice to teach here.” Garcia, who served as a Cabinet Secretary in the Susana Martinez administration from 2011-2014, describes the course as an overview of the world of politics, covering politics in the Western tradition as well as the differences international systems of government. “I am going to talk about what politics is with dialogue that begins with Aristotle and an emphasis on the key concepts of democracy,” explained Garcia. “We will also cover the upcoming national election.” Garcia’s life work includes...
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University Foundation Office Announces Holiday Hours

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For many alumni and friends of Western New Mexico University, the end of the year is a traditional time for giving. Gifts to the University Foundation provide invaluable support for educational programs and scholarships and can also yield timely tax savings. The University Foundation has scheduled special holiday hours before year’s end for giving opportunities. During the University’s winter holiday break from December 19 through January 3, the University Foundation will be open on select dates to receive year-end contributions from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 21 Tuesday, December 22 Wednesday, December 23 Thursday, December 24 Monday, December 28 Tuesday, December 29 Wednesday, December 30 Thursday, December 31 Donations are also accepted online at any time by visiting foundation.wnmu.edu. For more information, contact the University Foundation at 575.538.6310. Offices are located in the lower level of Hunter...
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WNMU Partners With Detention Center For Inmate Programs

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Western New Mexico University has partnered with the Grant County Detention Center, initiating several programs beginning with a Christmas gift project for the children of those incarcerated. WNMU’s Office of Communications and Mustang Entertainment, a university student programming group, reached out to Mike Carillo, Grant County Detention Center Administrator, to develop programming for students to participate in the community. "There are segments of our community population that often get forgotten, and those include the families of those in jail," said Khari Bailey, WNMU student and chair of Mustang Entertainment. "So we thought a good first step was to bring some cheer to the kids of the incarcerated." WNMU purchased and wrapped over 70 gifts with the help of Carillo who provided a list of children and their ages. "The reaction was overwhelming," said Carillo about the moment he asked the inmates to provide the names of their children. "They didn't believe me at...
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Students Experience HACU Conference

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Two students recently experienced the premier conference of HACU, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Dayana Baez and Hilda Moran attended the annual conference; this year held in Miami, with a contingency of faculty and staff from WNMU. For Moran, a WNMU-Deming student, the conference was eye opening. "It was an amazing experience because I was learning about opportunities from so many others," said Moran who is a graduate student in the Master's of Social Work program. "Coming from a small community, it opened up my eyes to the possibilities." Moran is originally from Chihuahua, having arrived in Deming nine years ago. She earned her undergraduate degree from New Mexico State University. "It took me five years to earn my bachelor degree because of the language barrier," said Moran. "I tend to think in Spanish first, and then I translate it, but I graduated with honors." For Dayana Baez, a sophomore majoring in applied mathematics from Tucson, Arizona,...
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New Alumni Director Plans To Grow Engagement

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A new face is greeting former Western New Mexico University students at Hunter Hall. Amanda Moffett was recently named Director of Alumni Affairs and already she is gearing up for a busy spring semester of events and outreach efforts. “WNMU has such a positive impact in the community and I want to continue to reach out to former students and employees who have benefited from their time here,” said Moffett. Moffett’s background is primarily in the resort and hospitality industry, helping to plan large business and social events for resorts, golf and country clubs and conference center. A native of Tucson, Arizona, Moffett is familiar with the area having earned a degree from Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona. Her most recent experience is as a Conference Manager at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson. “I hear from graduates all the time that are wanting to give back to their alma mater because WNMU was such a special place for them,” said Moffett. “I’m here to...
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More Than 250 Students To Receive Degrees

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At least 250 students will be earning certificates, associate, baccalaureate or master degrees on Friday, December 11, at the fall commencement ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Theatre. The ceremony will be streamed online live and can be seen at www.wnmu.edu/events/commencement-2015. Silver City Certificate: Matthew Blancett, Joel Castillo, Jacob Clark, Stephen Lindsey, Laura Mullen, Jory Torres Associate Degree: Jennifer Aragon, Benjamin Jerome Cardoza, Jason Lee Dunlap, Cassandra Fierro, Anna Flores, Diego R. Gonzalez, Clarisse Grijalva, Bryant Jamison, Kelly Ann Kesich, Stephen Lindsey, Davi L. Martin, Luis Porras, Jennifer Rider, Bianca Inez Rivera, Sadee N. Toms, George Trujillo Baccalaureate Degree: Venus Aragon, Colette Beers, Jade Brown, Luzulena Carbajal, Maria Carrillo, Esther Chico-Gutierrez, Bre A. Compton-Boyden, Candace P. Davidson, Catherine Fritsche, Michelle Grayless, Lindsay Griffin, Matthew T. Gruszka, Estere Perrault Lucero,...
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Colonel Alfred J. Perez To Keynote Commencement Address

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Graduates at the fall commencement ceremony will get to hear from a Western New Mexico University alum that has led a distinguished career of public service. Colonel Alfred J. Perez will deliver the keynote address at the Fine Arts Center Theatre on Friday, December 11 at 2:30 p.m. The event can be seen live online: www.wnmu.edu/events/commencement-2015. COL Perez was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the New Mexico Army National Guard in May 1989 as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC). COL Perez graduated from the 120th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course in December 1989. He has also completed the Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff Officer Course. He has served as a Staff Judge Advocate for the 111th ADA BDE, the 111the MEB and the 93rd BDE. He currently serves as the Deputy State Judge Advocate, Joint Forces Headquarters, Santa Fe, NM. COL Perez deployed from January 2008 through January 2009, in support of...
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Action Learning Presentations Feature Student Teachers

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During student teaching, teacher candidates create a teaching event, which is a carefully planned learning segment that is documented via lesson plans, copies of instructional and assessment materials, one or two video clips of the candidate teaching, a summary of whole class learning, and an analysis of student work samples created. During the action learning presentations, the student teachers describe their teaching events and demonstrate how they provided active learning experiences to the students in their assigned classrooms. Student Presenters: Mone’t Borla, Early Childhood Bre Compton-Boyden, Elementary Ed Whitney Daniels, Early Childhood Stephanie Higgins, Elementary Ed Raven Hogan, Elementary Ed Avery Jepson-Browne, Secondary Ed – Social Studies Christina Manley, Elementary Ed Riley Olsen, Elementary Ed Lynda Pearce, Elementary Ed Alyssa Rivera, Early Childhood Jordan Summers, Elementary Ed Please join us as our Fall 2015 teacher...
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Area Students Invited To Financial Aid Night At Silver High

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High School students from Silver High School and Aldo Leopold High are invited to attend Financial Aid Night on Thursday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m. in Silver High’s Little Theater. Hosted by Western New Mexico University, the event will inform students and their families about financial aid opportunities including scholarships, grants and work-study jobs. Students are encouraged to bring their transcripts and test scores as scholarships for housing and tuition will be awarded. “This is a great time for high school seniors and their parents to learn about important deadlines and the many options students have in being awarded aid,” said Matthew Lara, WNMU Director of Admissions. WNMU recently introduced a Tuition Guarantee program, the first university in the state to do so, allowing students to pay the same tuition rate for four years. “In addition to Tuition Guarantee, our University Foundation office has opened its application to high school students, offering more...
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