Governor Susana Martinez held a press conference on Wednesday at Western New Mexico University to applaud the Silver City-based institution on leading efforts in achieving higher education goals.
Governor Martinez was joined by Cabinet Secretary for Higher Education Barbara Damron who congratulated WNMU on achieving fast progress in meeting reform goals set by the Governor.
“WNMU has been one of the leaders in getting programs to 120 hours,” said Damron.
In 2015, Governor Martinez called upon university degree programs to shift from 128 to 120 credits. Among New Mexico universities, WNMU achieved updating nearly all degree programs to the 120-credit requirement.
“Last year we challenged our colleges and universities to set their degree paths to 120 credit hours, and only 32% of degree programs in New Mexico where at 120 credits,” said Martinez. “This number has nearly doubled across the state and that is tremendous progress.”
The goal of changing degree programs to the 120-credit threshold was designed to achieve increased graduation rates for students who are attempting to earn a degree within four years.
“If we expect students to graduate students in four years we have to make that possible,” said Martinez.
Governor Martinez also lauded WNMU’s efforts in providing incentives to higher achieving students.
“Here at Western, if you are on track to graduating on time and you keep your grades up, tuition is locked,” said Martinez referring to WNMU’s tuition guarantee program.
WNMU became the first university in the state to offer a guaranteed tuition rate to students who meet G.P.A. and enrollment standards.
“This offers students and families the stability that is necessary,” said Martinez.
Secretary Damron announced that a roadmap for New Mexico colleges and universities will be set forth publicly later in the week setting forth long term goals for improvement.
“When we graduate more students on time and they are better equipped with the skills and knowledge employers need, everyone wins,” said Martinez.
WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard shared his ongoing collaboration and vision with the Department of Higher Education. Shepard detailed WNMU’s current efforts to establish areas of distinction including focusing on applied liberals arts programs.
“Right now our state is facing sever budget issues,” said Shepard. “Universities must find areas to be distinctive. We have to understand where the economy is going and for us to be a driver of that economy.”
WNMU has identified several areas of distinction including applied liberal arts, drone technology, and logistics and transportation.
“We want to be the university that looks into the future,” said Shepard.