Western New Mexico University’s Diego Diaz and Alexandria Klemke have been selected as the institution’s recipients of the Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Award for the Class of 2026, the conference office announced. The Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Award is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from each member institution’s graduating class. Recipients… Continue reading WNMU Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Award Class of 2026
Category: Student Success
WNMU Alum DeMarcus Contreras Modernizes Technical Infrastructure in New Mexico
Western New Mexico University alum DeMarcus Contreras has steadily established himself as a strong force in enterprise data architecture, applying a unique synthesis of behavioral psychology, technical mastery and strategic-minded perspective to change how organizations leverage technical information. Recently promoted to Data Architect Manager at Western New Mexico Communications, Contreras now oversees complete data strategy,… Continue reading WNMU Alum DeMarcus Contreras Modernizes Technical Infrastructure in New Mexico
WNMU Alum Kade Evans Enters the High-Pressure World of Firefighting
For Western New Mexico University alum Kade Evans, lessons learned during his time at the university are put to the test every day in the high-pressure world of firefighting and emergency services. During Evan’s time at WNMU, he was a bridge-builder who understood early on that effective communication and community trust are the bedrocks of… Continue reading WNMU Alum Kade Evans Enters the High-Pressure World of Firefighting
How the Perales Family Anchored a Multi-Generational Tradition at WNMU
For many families, higher education is a distant dream, but for the Perales family, it became a shared destiny. A single pioneer stepping onto the Western New Mexico University campus sparked a legacy spanning decades, multiple branches of the family tree, and nearly two dozen attendees. Recently, alumnus Arturo “Art” Perales highlighted that legacy in… Continue reading How the Perales Family Anchored a Multi-Generational Tradition at WNMU
WNMU Nursing Students Partner with GRMC for Strive for 5 Initiative on Patient Safety
Earlier this year, Level 4 nursing students from Western New Mexico University launched a high-impact clinical collaboration with Gila Regional Medical Center centered on the Strive for 5 Initiative. The partnership represents a sophisticated integration of academic rigor and frontline healthcare, aimed at enhancing patient safety and clinical outcomes through five core pillars of nursing… Continue reading WNMU Nursing Students Partner with GRMC for Strive for 5 Initiative on Patient Safety
WNMU Alum’s Incredible Journey from Dual Enrollee to Staff
Western New Mexico University played a defining role in Katarina (“Kat”) Lowe’s life for far longer than most people realize. Lowe recently shared an astonishing detail about her academic history: her connection to the university began when she was still a child. “I technically started going here in sixth grade, because that’s when I was… Continue reading WNMU Alum’s Incredible Journey from Dual Enrollee to Staff
From SES Student to SES Teacher — Graduate Mariah Sanchez Finds Her Voice at WNMU
At Western New Mexico University (WNMU), student success is measured by the strength built during the journey. Mariah Sanchez’s story reflects how a supportive environment makes all the difference in creating a self-fulfilling, purposeful future. A native of Belen, New Mexico residing in Albuquerque and an online WNMU student, Sanchez just completed a Bachelor of… Continue reading From SES Student to SES Teacher — Graduate Mariah Sanchez Finds Her Voice at WNMU
WNMU Graduate Transforms Personal Tragedy into a Mission of Healing
For seven years, Margie Gomez has walked the halls of Western New Mexico University (WNMU) with a quiet, steady determination. On May 8, the Silver City local will reach a long-awaited academic pinnacle. Gomez graduates with a Master of Arts in Counseling. This milestone was born not just from textbooks and lectures; it emerged from… Continue reading WNMU Graduate Transforms Personal Tragedy into a Mission of Healing
Student Hall of Fame Inductees 2025-2026
Three Western New Mexico University students were recently inducted into the 2025-2026 Student Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees—Keana Huerta, Carlos Carranza, and Nayeli Mancilla—stand out for their academic excellence, leadership, and service in the Mustang community. Their selection reflects their hard work, resilience, and dedication to WNMU and their peers. Huerta is a first-generation… Continue reading Student Hall of Fame Inductees 2025-2026
Carlsbad Resident and WNMU Online Graduate Celebrates Thriving Over Surviving
For many, a college degree is framed as a transactional checklist—a clinical accumulation of courses, credits, and requirements designed to satisfy a professional prerequisite. However, for Suzette Wilson, a Carlsbad resident and online student at Western New Mexico University (WNMU), her degree represents far more than a credential. Her pursuit of a Master of Arts… Continue reading Carlsbad Resident and WNMU Online Graduate Celebrates Thriving Over Surviving