For Deming resident Sandra Varela, graduating during the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Spring Commencement in May marks the finish line of a journey involving immense sacrifice and an iron will to keep hope alive. Accepting her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Family Support, Varela will do so beside her deepest sources of… Continue reading A Triumph of Resilience: Sandra Varela Graduates from WNMU
Category: Student Success
WNMU Graduate Transitions from Injured Athlete to Advocate for Art and Nature
For Western New Mexico University (WNMU) senior Nayeli Mancilla, the path to Commencement was a profound journey. More than just reaching a finish line, hers was a marathon of grit, growth, and a passionate bond with the natural world—each step echoing the resilience she forged along the way. Mancilla is a fine arts major who… Continue reading WNMU Graduate Transitions from Injured Athlete to Advocate for Art and Nature
From 911 Dispatcher to WNMU Graduate to Counselor
When hybrid (online and in person) Deming student Jo Lynn Guerrero crosses the stage at the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Spring Commencement this May, her walk will mark a profound evolution in her lifelong commitment to service. Guerrero’s journey, spanning two decades of community dedication, serves as a powerful testament to the idea that… Continue reading From 911 Dispatcher to WNMU Graduate to Counselor
Breaking Boundaries – First-Gen Graduate Shoni Hendren Graduates with Double Major
When Shoni Hendren crosses the graduation stage at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) this May, she won’t just receive a diploma; she will carry her family’s dreams with her. Hendren, a WNMU online student living in Belen, New Mexico, will graduate with a double Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Mathematics, becoming the first… Continue reading Breaking Boundaries – First-Gen Graduate Shoni Hendren Graduates with Double Major
WNMU Alum Chris Cochran’s 35-Year Educational Journey to an MBA
For some, the path to a college degree is a straight line, but for Western New Mexico University (WNMU) alum Chris Cochran, it was a 35-year journey defined by resilience, Mustang pride, and a life-changing connection to Silver City. Cochran, a former Mustang quarterback and successful Oklahoma entrepreneur, returned to his roots to complete his… Continue reading WNMU Alum Chris Cochran’s 35-Year Educational Journey to an MBA
Peruvian Immigrant Defines Her American Dream at WNMU
For many, the American Dream is a concept found in textbooks. For Bianca Trucios (aka Bianca Thompson) a Western New Mexico University (WNMU) alum and Peruvian immigrant, the dream was forged in the quiet hours of 3:00 a.m., fueled by a journey that began in a small mountain town in the Andes. Born into a… Continue reading Peruvian Immigrant Defines Her American Dream at WNMU
How the Gordon Flanders Scholarship at WNMU Came to Fruition
Western New Mexico University (WNMU) recently announced a new scholarship by the WNMU Foundation in the name of Professor of Marketing Gordon Flanders, Ph.D. Flanders’ tenure showcases the profound influence a single educator can have on the trajectory of a student’s life. The scholarship supports upper-division business students at Western New Mexico University who demonstrate… Continue reading How the Gordon Flanders Scholarship at WNMU Came to Fruition
From Silver City to Super Bowl Half-Time: WNMU Alum Performs with Bad Bunny
When the world tuned in to watch Super Bowl LX earlier this month, the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) community had a monumental reason to cheer. Leah Lopez, a former WNMU student and member of the university’s prestigious mariachi program, took the global stage as a featured violinist during Bad Bunny’s record-breaking halftime performance at… Continue reading From Silver City to Super Bowl Half-Time: WNMU Alum Performs with Bad Bunny
Dreams Taking Flight — WNMU Alum Becomes RN, Joins Gila Regional Medical Center
For Catherine Fierro, completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) last December was not a finish line, but the launchpad for a high-stakes career in trauma and emergency medicine. While her academic record is distinguished—graduating as an honors student with straight “As”—Fierro’s focus is now fixed on the intensive… Continue reading Dreams Taking Flight — WNMU Alum Becomes RN, Joins Gila Regional Medical Center
A “Student-First” Approach to Academic Success
At Western New Mexico University (WNMU), academic advising is far more than a routine checklist of degree requirements; it is a dedicated journey of mentorship, advocacy, and personal transformation. WNMU January employee of the month, Eric Lowe, embodies this vision. Serving as an undergraduate advisor for the WNMU College of Education, Lowe brings what colleagues… Continue reading A “Student-First” Approach to Academic Success