News

Zoology Student Eyes a Future Studying the Ocean

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Western New Mexico University may not seem the obvious landing spot for a student who has wanted to be a marine biologist since the fifth grade. For first-year zoology major Imani Taylor, however, attending WNMU was an easy decision. “It’s really hard to find a school with a zoology program,” said Taylor, “and fortunately WNMU did.” WNMU has the only zoology program in New Mexico. Taylor chose zoology because the field allows her to combine her love of animals with her interest in aquatic life. Growing up she always had animals in and around her home—common pets like dogs and cats, but also guinea pigs, chickens and rabbits. She also has a passion for marine animals and a deep-rooted curiosity about the mysteries of the ocean depths. Said Taylor, “People say we have only found 5% of it, but I think, ‘How do you actually know?'” Her commitment to zoology and especially marine biology is also fueled by environmental concerns. “I always saw the ocean and felt...
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Tradition Continues at WNMU with Great Race 56

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When eight students first brainstormed the idea of the Great Race in 1967, they could only imagine that the race would become an annual event enduring well over 50 years. But this April, WNMU will continue the tradition with a week-long slate of activities. Ashley Templeton, Student Leadership Coordinator at WNMU, has been working with students to plan and coordinate the event, and she expects a busy week. She describes Great Race as a large-scale event and said that it brings an “air of excitement” to campus. As in previous years, the event is designed not only to provide entertainment, but to further the sense of community. This is what Rebeca Portillo Parra, a ’22 graduate and current MBA student, found last year. Portillo Parra, who is originally from Mexico, helped push the car for the “Little Rascals” team last year. “I had the opportunity to make new friends and bond with them,” said Portillo Parra, “This tradition is unique and it's interesting how...
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WNMU Welcomes New Regents

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Two new members have officially joined the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents. Dalva Lon Moellenberg, who manages the Santa Fe office of law firm Gallagher and Kennedy, was appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and confirmed by the Senate. Moellenberg received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and a law degree from Arizona State University. His legal practice focuses primarily on regulated industries such as mining and water rights as well as administrative law. Moellenberg’s appointment is confirmed on the heels of the end of term for outgoing regent Janice Baca-Argabright, who served with distinction as a member of the WNMU board since her appointment in 2011."I'm looking forward to the perspectives and vision Regent Moellenberg will bring to our board and university community and grateful for the years of hard work, passion and professionalism of outgoing Regent Baca-Argabright who will be missed but will forever remain a member of our...
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MSW Awarded Top Honor

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EDUMed recently awarded top honors to the WNMU Master of Social Work program in evaluating more than 7,000 like programs nationwide. In comparing affordability, student support and outcomes and academic rigor, the fully online MSW program ranked first in the nation for 2024.  The program prepares culturally competent generalists ready to enter a competitive...
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Student-Led Journal Has an Eye on Second Issue

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Few universities have their own in-house publishing arm, and even fewer showcase student writing, research, and creative endeavors as a regular feature of the press’ production. But highlighting undergraduate student work is exactly what Mimbres Press of WNMU does through its journal, The Maverick. The Maverick was first conceived as an online journal by now-editor-in-chief Yen Chu.  Chu began her service to Mimbres Press in 2021 as a student member of the press’ advisory board. Nominated for the board seat by her English professor, Dr. Kate Oubre, and ultimately chosen for the position, Chu realized that the press offered an opportunity for greater student involvement. “After a lot of research and deliberation,” said Chu, “I decided the best course of action would be to start an annual journal of undergraduate student work: The Maverick.” Since that time, Chu has worked with the journal’s faculty liaison, Professor of English Composition Heather Frankland, and with...
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WNMU Museum, Reveling in Ruins

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Danielle Romero never imagined she would devote her career to studying the Mimbres culture of the American Southwest. Romero, the Director of WNMU Museum, began her graduate degree in anthropology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with an interest in Egyptian ceramics.  In February, however, Romero was excited to receive into the museum’s collection a substantial donation of Mimbres artifacts, including numerous items from the Elk Ridge Ruin in the Mimbres valley. “This is the second largest collection for the museum besides NAN Ranch,” said Romero, referring to the museum’s collection of the largest and most complete body of materials in existence from a single prehistoric Mimbres site.  Like the NAN Ranch collection, Romero said, the new donation is an “academic collection with field notes and context information that will be available to researchers.” The donation came from Human Systems Research (HSR), a nonprofit archeological organization based in Las...
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Continuing to Turn the Page in the Digital Age

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Since its founding in 1893, the students, employees and surrounding community have looked to the university library for knowledge, enrichment and research guidance. But as the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology to provide information, WNMU has an eye on how the J. Cloyd Miller Library’s physical space can best be used in the digital age while ensuring the preservation of the printed knowledge housed within its walls. As part of the draft of the university’s Master Plan, WNMU expects to add new study spaces, areas for public events and access to dining as part of the expansion and remodel of Miller Library, among other changes. This planned transformation will continue modernization efforts made over the years such as the installation of a new computer lab, study and quiet spaces and areas that feature works of art. “As educators, parents and citizens, we recognize the need to assure continued access and preservation of printed materials while creating...
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WNMU Ranked Top Online MBA

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Online Master's Degrees has ranked WNMU as a top school of its online MBA program for 2023. Citing the program's overall quality, affordability and commitment to student success as compared to more than 7,000 other accredited programs from throughout the nation, the ranking also credited the university's work to ensure costs remain low across the board for WNMU...
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Mental Health Care with Holistic Flair

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Mustangs now have access to counseling services with the arrival of WNMU Mental Health Therapist Orlando Zapata, who is focused on not only providing access to quality mental health services for students but creating opportunities for academic advancement and opportunity. Arriving from Austin, TX, Zapata began his career in 2008 working in domestic violence and sexual assault centers, eventually working in group practice settings prior to his arrival to WNMU. With a focus on the student population, Zapata will provide one-on-one counseling, work to reestablish the Counseling Mental Health Center, which has been dormant for six years, as well as taking on the role of the university’s on-call mental health therapist. Eventually, Zapata would like to see the creation of a telemental health service for students attending classes online, providing greater access to counseling beyond the immediate campus boundaries. Also part of his long-term plan would see the university’s...
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WNMU Board of Regents Meet at State Capitol

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The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents received updates from state leaders, accepted the FY ’22 Audit Report and second quarter Financial Certification and a revision of the Capital Project Transmittal for the Deming Learning Center during their meeting last Thursday. The meeting followed Grant County Day at the state Legislature, a time when local representatives from the public and private sectors meet with state leaders and include highlights such as a packed house performance of Mariachi Plata de WNMU in the rotunda of the Roundhouse. Along with a trio of $15 million asks to develop a workforce training facility in the mining district, continue the work of making the university carbon neutral by 2025, and the construction of a facility to house the newly designated New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education, WNMU is also seeking funding for on-campus solar charging, the continued work to bring back NCAA baseball and establishing a women’s...
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