Press Releases

Western New Mexico University administration officials visited the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez (UACJ) on Thursday to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the two universities. The agreement details four points of cooperation including the initiation of joint research activities and publications; the exchange of invitations to scholars to participate in conferences, colloquia, symposia and sharing of experience; the exchange of information in fields of interest to both universities; and the exchange of faculty members and students for study and research. The visit follows a tour in March of WNMU by UACJ officials to initiate the conversation leading up to the agreement. Officials of both universities educated each other on the programs offered and found areas of interest for exchange initiatives in disciplines including nursing, education, kinesiology and the language...

Silver City residents can now take advantage of free computer access at Watts Hall on weekdays. The Office of Adult Education Services (AES) is offering public access to a computer lab and lab assistant Mondays and Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Computer access is open at no cost to everyone. Software programs available include Microsoft Office, Rosetta Stone for English learners and PowerUp for computer and keyboarding skills. Printing is free to WNMU students and AES students. Cost for the public is based on the size of the project. Adult Education Services offers free community courses throughout the summer, fall and spring semesters. Individual tutoring is also available. Watts Hall is located at the corner of Swan Street and Highway 180. For more information, contact AES at...

Silver City, NM – The Alumni Affairs Office has announced the formation of the first ever Chicano Alumni Chapter at Western New Mexico University. The chapter will host its first meeting on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Polo Sierra Conference Room of the Student Memorial Center (3rd floor). The public is invited to attend the organizational meeting. The creation of the chapter was the brainchild of retiring Chicano Studies professor Patricia Cano. “The chapter is being organized for the purpose of sponsoring fundraising events for tuition and hardship scholarships, creating networking opportunities for alumni and current students, sponsoring social events that appeal to Hispanic alumni, and providing input to the administration regarding what WNMU should be as an Hispanic serving institution,” said Cano. An upcoming event the chapter hopes to realize is a Raza Alumni Reunion during the Homecoming 2015 weekend. Alumni from all graduating classes are invited to...

The Early Childhood Program department is offering free pre-k services for the new academic year beginning in August. Children who will turn four prior to August 31, 2014 qualify. The services are for full-time hours from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Full-day wrap around childcare is available from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a fee. As providers of New Mexico Pre-K Services, WNMU offers an award winning, state licensed program with a 5-Star rating. The curriculum is play based and is designed to provide foundational skills necessary for school readiness. The services will be guided by qualified, experienced staff of the nationally accredited Child Development Center on the WNMU campus. Services are provided through a grant awarded by the State of New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. To enroll your child, contact...

Longtime Western New Mexico University employee Cynthia Martinez was recently named Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Martinez will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Silver City-based office, one of 20 located throughout the state. Most recently, Martinez was the Director of Fiscal Affairs for WNMU. “What I want to focus on right away is to go out into our communities in Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties and let people know who we are and what we can do for their small business,” stated Martinez. Located in Watts Hall, the SBDC office serves four counties and offers free services for small businesses seeking assistance with developing a business plan and management consulting. The office also hosts workshops throughout the year covering topics such as taxes and marketing. “We are a nationally accredited business program and member of America’s Small Business Development Centers,” said Martinez. “The SBDC is an essential...

Silver City, NM – Western New Mexico University has pledged to join the Institute of International Education (IIE)’s Generation Study Abroad initiative to double the number of American students who study abroad by the end of the decade. The initiative is also focusing on increasing the diversity of the students who study abroad, ensuring quality, and removing barriers to participation. WNMU has committed to increasing the number of students who study abroad by 50over the next five years. Two months after theofficial launch of Generation Study Abroad, the Institute of International Education has announced significant progress in advancing the major goals of the initiative. IIE’s Generation Study Abroad initiative now has over 300 commitment partners. The 150 new partners who have committed to specific, actionable goals to increase the number of U.S. students studying abroad include colleges and universities, as well as study abroad organizations, foreign governments, and...

Silver City, NM – At its annual May meeting, the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents met to vote on several action items and elected a new slate of officers. Janice Baca-Argabright was elected to serve as the new Board Chair, Dan Salzwedel will serve as the vice-chair and Camille Hawkins will remain as the secretary/treasurer. Regents Tony Trujillo and Jerry Walz will serve as members. The Board approved the promotion and tenure of 12 professors and the post tenure review of eight professors. Emeritus status was awarded to retiring faculty including DeAnne Miller, George Muncrief, Sharman Russell, Janet Wallet-Ortiz, Patricia Cano, Pat McIntire and Linda Beattie. Approval was granted to new programs including two Graduate Certificates in English and Writing; and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Healthcare Systems. The English and Writing certificates will benefit students in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program who are looking to...

Silver City, NM – Six months after making a commitment to redevelop the Computer Technology Program, Western New Mexico University has become a Microsoft Training Academy Partner. Students and community members can sign up for three-week long IT classes worth 3-college credits each and a Microsoft certification, issued on-site at the end of the class. “This is now a very powerful program,” Adjunct Professor of Computer Technology Doug Miranda explained.  “Six months ago, the College of Community and Workforce Development decided to completely rebuild the Computer Technology Program, with the goal of offering up-to-date, in-demand IT classes based upon current industry standards.  By partnering with Microsoft, the College of Community and Workforce Development has been able to do that very quickly.” Students looking to earn an AAS (Associates of Applied Science) Degree in Computer Technology will walk away from the two-year course of study with an additional 11 MTA...

Silver City, NM – At least 350 students will be earning certificates, associate, baccalaureate or master degrees on Friday, May 16 at the spring commencement ceremony, scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. in Old James Stadium. Harrison Schmitt, former astronaut and US Senator, will be delivering the commencement keynote address. The ceremony will be streamed online live and can be seen at http://www.wnmu.edu/events/commencement. Silver City, NM Associate Degree: Monica Barela, Keith Bounds, Jacob Bryan, Kyndra DeMarco, Kim Godfrey, Annette Jacquez, Anna Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Kenyon McNeill, Jessica Miller, Ethan Ortiz, Christopher Orton, Katherine Perales, Christen Rogers, Valerie Serna, Thomas Sookiasian, Angel Torres, Hufan Yang Baccalaureate Degree: Mehron Arasteh, Bruce Ashburn, Jory Bascom, David Billings, Jennifer Bjornstad, Jana Lee Brown, Melissa Bustamante, Alyssa Castillo, Michelle Castillo, Thomas Castillo, Analyssia Chavez, Erika Christian, Justin Collins,...