Columbus, NM – A memorandum of understanding was signed by President Joseph Shepard and Village of Columbus Mayor Phillip Skinner on Saturday, September 13 increasing the opportunities of education offered at the local level for residents in the Columbus, New Mexico area.
The signing took place at the old elementary school gym and was accompanied by other local festivities. It marks the latest in a series of agreements that Western New Mexico University is formalizing with schools, universities and communities.
“This is a great opportunity not just for WNMU but for the students of Columbus that usually have to stay out late to take these classes,” said James Ortiz, Interim Chair for the College of Community and Workforce Development.
High school aged students travel to Deming each day to attend classes and are also enrolled in the dual enrollment program, attending applied technology courses in welding and other subjects. The classes are often held after school hours.
“Some students cannot stay late, so they lose out on these opportunities,” said Ortiz.
The plan for more course offerings follows an already successful implementation of English as a Second Language (ESL) courses already offered to adult learners.
“We are excited about this agreement,” said Columbus Mayor Philip Skinner. “Our community is a poverty community and one of the ways out is education. We need this kind of relationship so that we can start doing something to educate our community better.”
The memorandum outlines seven areas of cooperation recognizing the mutual interests of both organizations to expand learning opportunities for high school students and community members.
The Applied Technology Department is planning to offer a CPR certification course beginning in October and a welding course sometime in the fall. ESL courses will continue to be offered.