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A P UBLICATION OF ENMU - R UIDOS O B R A NCH COM M UN I T Y C O L L E G E • V O L . 2 , N O . 2 • D E C E MBE R 2 0 2 0
From The President
Thank You!
the Through support of
voters in the state and local area in passing Higher Education Bond C, ENMURyan Trosper Ruidoso will receive funds to complete the Nexus Project Phase 3. Phase 3 will complete renovation on the exterior of the building and bring culmination to a vision that has been set forth by the community we care about. For your continued support, ENMU-Ruidoso says thank you! As this project comes to completion over the next year, it is important to explain the purpose of the construction, which is to serve and enhance the lives of our students and community. Students at ENMU-Ruidoso come in many different forms and are equally important. They include a diverse population ranging from English-as-Second-Language learners, high school equivalency students, dual credit students who are taking college courses while in high school, Mescalero Apache Tribal members, to people coming back to school for a skill to go to work, to those utilizing the facility for non-credit courses and everywhere in between. Many of these students learn in different ways, and one of the goals of the renovated facility is to improve on meeting the needs of all students. This will be done through enhanced technology that serves students in the facility Continued on page 8
Closer To Completion: Bond C Passage Helps Finalize Long-Held Vision For Community
55-percent of the vote, W ithLincoln County voters
approved the New Mexico Higher Education GO Bond C on Nov. 3, making it possible for the college to move forward to complete its threephase renovation plan which began in 2019. Statewide, the $156.3 million GO bond passed with 67-percent of the vote. Of the total amount, ENMU-
Ruidoso will receive $1.5 million to renovate the outside facade of its facility at 709 Mechem Dr. Te current college building, formerly a hardware store, was obtained in 1994. An adjacent structure, once a retail furniture store, was purchased in 2016. Interior revisions to these facilities are being made with funds provided by the New Mexico state legislature and a local general bond referendum Continued on page 8
SPRING CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 19!
To enroll, chat with an adviser, register for classes and learn about fnancial aid, visit ruidoso.enmu.edu! ENMU-Ruidoso is afordable! Take fve classes for the price of four! Indistrict students pay just $636 in tuition for 15 credit hours; out-of-district students pay $1,272.
Get started today!
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College Brings Morning Air To Lincoln County Residents station. Its 24-hour programming includes music with weekly local shows, news, weather, community activities and public service announcements relevant to residents and visitors. Weekly programs are archived for listeners on the station’s website. Morning Air debuted Sept. 8. Programs have discussed the college’s COVID-19 response and the pandemic’s impact on Steve Lestarjette & Jef Frawley the college, activities of the arly morning radio college Foundation, student listeners can hear interviews and success stories, cybersecurity careers, conversations with interesting people Creative Aging’s upcoming non-credit in and around the county on KRUI courses, and much more. 1490 AM radio’s Morning Air program, Recently, ENMU-Ruidoso faculty hosted by ENMU-Ruidoso. Dr. Cynthia Orozco talked about the Steve Lestarjette, the college’s role of important Latino and Mexican Chief External Afairs Ofcer, and fgures in US history. Jef Frawley, Language and Fine Arts To hear past programs, visit the department chair, rotate hosting the radio station’s website at www.ruidoso30-minute program, which airs at 8 nm.gov/krui-1490-am-the-mountain. a.m. each Tuesday and other times For questions about future programs, during the week. contact Steve Lestarjette at steve. KRUI 1490, the Mountain, is the lestarjette@enmu-ruidoso, of Village of Ruidoso’s broadcasting radio Jef Frawley @jef.frawley@enmu.edu.
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Elevations
Te newsletter of ENMU-Ruidoso
Vol. 2, No. 2, December 2020 Copyright © December 2020 by ENMU-Ruidoso Branch Community College 709 Mechem Dr., Ruidoso, NM 88345. All rights reserved Elevations is published periodically to residents of Lincoln and Mescalero County. Published by the Ofce of External Afairs Editor: Steve Lestarjette Photography: Katherine Kiefer Steve Lestarjette Design: Jay Loucks John Magee President Ryan Trosper Community College Board: Justin Hufmon Gina Klinekole James Paxton Marla Romero Brad Treptow For more info: 575.315.1211
Perkins Funds Brings College And Local School Districts Together and school districts Technical Education (CTE). Trosper received notice of the award ENMU-Ruidoso in Capitan, Carrizozo, Cloudcrof ENMU-Ruidoso serves as fscal through a letter from NM Secretary of and Hondo have received a $24,594 Perkins Grant through the New Mexico Public Education Department. Te “Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act” provides federal funding for states to award to colleges, public secondary school districts, technical institutions, and other two-year postsecondary institutions that provide rigorous and relevant Community
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agent for the grant. School districts and the college will purchase equipment to aid CTE instruction in each institution. Equipment must be purchased before June 30, 2021. Schools will use their funds to purchase such items as welding and construction trades supplies, safety equipment and an eLearning library subscription. ENMU-Ruidoso President Ryan
ENMU-RUIDOSO BRANCH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ELEVATIONS
Education Ryan Stewart, Ed.L.D. “ENMU-Ruidoso is happy to be working with its public educational partners in Lincoln County,” Trosper said. “We are distinguished by the workforce training we provide our residents—training that is relevant to our country’s needs; training that leads to real jobs. Tese funds will help us improve our instructional delivery with much needed equipment.”
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
College Ranks High Among State’s Higher Ed Workforce Training Programs the newest and nextT hough to-smallest of New Mexico’s
higher education institutions, ENMU-Ruidoso ranked sixth last year among community colleges for the most students trained in non-credit workforce programs. According to a report from the New Mexico Association of Community Colleges, ENMURuidoso trained 804 students in workforce training programs in 2019-2020, the third consecutive year of growth. ENMU-Ruidoso ranked behind Central New Mexico
Community College, San Juan College, New Mexico Junior College, UNM-Valencia and Santa Fe Community College in overall headcount in non-credit workforce programs. Te college’s workforce training students generated 12,035 contact hours, a measure used for the distribution of workforce training state appropriations. “Goal 2 in our strategic plan is to be ‘employer ready,’” said Success Emporium Director Coda Omness, who was also Community Development director in 2019. “We
continue to grow and identify training opportunities for our local businesses. “We are fortunate to have regional partners who invest in their employees. Trough these partnerships, we are able to provide quality professional development and workforce training opportunities for the region.” Major clients served in 2019-2020 included the Sierra Blanca Wildland Fire Academy, the Village of Ruidoso, Lincoln County, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, Region IX, and the food and beverage industry.
Cybersecurity Program Teams With UWF To Develop New Security Program NMU-Ruidoso is partnering Ewith the University of West
Florida on the National Centers of Academic Excellence-College (NCAE-C)-2020 Cyber Curriculum and Research: University of West Florida project. ENMU-Ruidoso is a National Security Agency Department of Homeland Security (NSA/DHS) Center of Academic Excellence/ Cyber Defense Education (CAE/ CDE) community college ofering a Computer and Network Security Certifcate. Te certifcate program is designed to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal
information assurance professionals that protect the government’s critical information infrastructure. The new certificate program, created in partnership with the University of West Florida will teach CompTIA A+PC Pro, Comp TIA Network +/Network Pro, and CompTIA Security +/Security Pro, in addition to the ENMU-Ruidoso Computer and network Security Certificate. ENMU-Ruidoso’s role in this project is to offer the current Computer and Network Security Certificate integrated with industry certifications leveraging
expertise in Risk Management and DHS CSET Tool. In Year 2, the college will expand the program and align with coalition workforce and curricular models. ENMU-Ruidoso will provide scholarships of up to $6,200 to recruit students from the military, frst responders, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Te college is working with industry, energy and defense companies to provide apprenticeships, internships and employment for these scholarship recipient students. First classes enrolled in the new certifcate begin in January 2021.
To apply for a cybersecurity scholarship, contact Stephen Miller, program director, at stephen. miller@enmu.edu.
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COLLEGE LIFE
College Exists For Students, Communities Of Lincoln County
a pandemic can’t keep ENMU- training that helps local residents E ven Ruidoso down. fnd meaningful jobs. Tough one of When the coronavirus hit and began shutting businesses and colleges in March, the college moved quickly to adapt. Te college extended spring break by an additional week to give the college time to shif on-campus classes to online classes, which salvaged the spring semester for students. ENMU-Ruidoso joined dozens of other colleges around the country with virtual commencements on Zoom or YouTube, rather than in-person events. Now, nine months into the pandemic, New Mexico’s newest and next-to-smallest branch community college continues to stay in step with the needs of local residents. Te college is both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a Native American Non-Tribal Institution (NANTI). ENMU-Ruidoso works closely with the Mescalero Apache Tribe in Otero County to provided muchneeded workforce training programs. ENMU-Ruidoso focuses on providing quality instruction for the frst-two years of college, ofering associate degrees and certifcates in dozens of relevant career felds. Te college’s existence provides a frst-step toward a college education for many undeserved students in the region who would not have access to higher education otherwise. Te college provides workforce
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the smallest colleges in New Mexico, ENMU-Ruidoso’s workforce training enrollment in 2019-2020 was sixth among community colleges in the state. A New Mexico Workforce Solutions Ofce is located within the college to help students identify their skills and point them to training they need for jobs. Te unique partnership helps provide students with funds for workforce training and assists with job placement upon completion. ENMU-Ruidoso prepares students without a high school diploma with access to the New Mexico High School Equivalency certifcation. Te college also provides general education courses that transfer to other colleges and universities, including ENMU-Portales and ENMU-Roswell. And ENMU-Ruidoso provides dual credit courses to area school districts. Last fall, some 325 Lincoln County high school students earned college credit through a partnership with ENMU-Ruidoso. One unique feature of ENMURuidoso is its Success Emporium, a virtual one-stop shop for student support services. Te ofce combines resources of the college and Workforce Solutions to assist both college students and adult basic education and English as Second Language (ESL) learners succeed in college. Te Emporium assists students
ENMU-RUIDOSO BRANCH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ELEVATIONS
with registration and enrollment, directs them toward fnancial help for tuition, provides tutoring and testing services, and advising. Te ofce is one important reason why ENMURuidoso’s student enrollment increased 22 percent before the pandemic and declined only 10 percent during it, giving the college a 12-percent increase over 2018. Residents of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs supported the college’s $3 million bond referendum in 2019 to help continue its ambitious Nexus Project. Completion of the project in 2021 will provide students and community members with new workforce training programs, remote learning spaces, and a large lecture/ community event space or conference center on the campus. Te revitalized campus at 729 Mechem Dr. will have a food court, student gathering places, and small seminar rooms where students can connect with other universities to complete a bachelor or advanced degree without leaving Ruidoso. One such project preparing to launch soon is a Nursing program in partnership with ENMU-Roswell. Future plans include taking classes, either online or in person, to communities throughout Lincoln County. In these ways and others, ENMURuidoso continues to be the community college for local students that residents envisioned it to be.
COLLEGE LIFE
De La Cruz Takes Helm As Director Of Workforce Development De La Cruz is ENMUL uis Ruidoso’s new Director
of Workforce Development, which oversees the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-Adult/Dislocated Worker, Youth and One-Stop Operator grant programs for the Eastern Area Workforce Development Board. Previously, De La Cruz served as Workforce Manager of the Santa Fe County WIOA ofce, and was a Talent Acquisition Specialist for the Santa Fe Public Schools. De La Cruz will oversee the Workforce Connections Ofce, located within ENMU-Ruidoso, and be a part of the college’s leadership team. He replaces former long-time director John
Hemphill, who retired. While at the Santa Fe County WIOA ofce, De La Cruz partnered with several state and community organizations to Luis De La Cruz deliver services. He assisted local companies and businesses as they expanded by using WIOA grant funds to ofset the cost of newlyhired employees as they obtained skills necessary for their positions. His ofce helped adults get indemand skills by paying for their education through WIOA funds. And his ofce worked with local businesses to match youth with job opportunities in order for them to gain valuable work experience.
“It is an honor to be part of the ENMU Family,” De La Cruz said. “WIOA is a program I’m very passionate about as I feel it gives participants the tools and assistance necessary to be successful in the workplace. I inherited a solid and strong team; I can’t wait to work with the team, businesses and the community.”
Maske Joins College To Aide Online Learning And Assessment Maske, a 19-year senior M iriam instructional multi-media
specialist, has joined ENMURuidoso to implement and manage the college’s learning management system, create collaborative online learning communities, and provide instructional technology integration for both online and face-to-face classes. She joins the college afer serving 16.5 years as the instructional technology/ multimedia specialist for the New Mexico State University School of Nursing-Las Cruces.
Maske has worked in distance education since 1994, frst Miriam Maske designing videoconference classrooms at UT-El Paso, and most recently at NMSU-Las Cruces, creating online environments and course design by applying best practices and Quality Matters standards. Maske is a graduate of El Paso Community College and the University of Texas-El Paso.
“I am excited to
be here at ENMU-
Ruidoso,” Maske
said, “and look
forward to working
with faculty, students
and staff, building
on the foundation of
ENMU-Ruidoso and
the beautiful Ruidoso
community.”
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT From the Director Nicole DeLorenzo
Good things ahead in Community Development
ENMURuidoso
Community Development remains dedicated to fostering community and providing enriching educational experiences throughout the current pandemic landscape by “reimagining” current courses and ofering new personal enrichment classes online or hybrid. We are happy to partner with Creative Aging to provide an “Issues and Ideas Class” and “Basic Technology for Older Adults.” Both courses are fully online and provide essential skills in ever-changing technology. Creative Aging focuses on older adults, but these courses are great for all ages. Te “Issues and Ideas” class is helpful to those who have aging parents, spouses or relatives. “EMT Basic” non-credit is also fnishing the semester. Tis is a foundation level course for emergency medical responders. Two new ftness courses have recently started: “Mat Pilates” and “Foundations of Yoga.” Both classes are focused on mind-body connection, stress reduction and personal ftness. Local instructors will guide the class online, assisting in student posture, meditation and endurance.
DeLorenzo Named Community Development Director DeLorenzo Nicole is ENMU-
expanded, innovative and mutually benefcial learning opportunities Ruidoso’s new for all residents. community Aspirational development courses are non-credit director. Continuing Education DeLorenzo, a courses such as Ruidoso resident, Nicole DeLorenzo painting, ceramics, is a graduate of the crafs, MS Excel and University of New Powerpoint. Skills development Mexico where she is currently or workforce training courses are seeking a Master’s degree in non-credit courses in areas such Community Planning. as electrical, pipeftting, plumbing, She has experience creating and planning non-credit courses, wind energy, and others. As director, DeLorenzo will building partnerships, and grant work with community partners writing. and workforce leaders to create, Te college’s Community Development Ofce ofers short, schedule and implement instruction non-credit aspirational and skills in a growing number of courses. Many courses will be adapted to development instruction, and works to build relationships with online or “hybrid” format during community partners that result in COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Development Classes December-January EMS-Basic: Through Dec. 11
EMS-I: Jan. 19 – May 13
Essential Technical Skills For Older Adults: Through Nov. 24
Firefighter 1: Jan. 19 – May 13
Virtual Holiday Art Show! Tis winter, we will be showcasing student artwork in a virtual art show! Although we have not been able to provide community art classes as normal, our students have been diligently creating art. We are excited to launch a website late November to highlight student talent and pieces and provide an online market for your Christmas shopping. Please keep watching the ENMU-Ruidoso website for more information on these and other classes as they are formed for spring! For other information, call the Community Development ofce at 575.315.1213. 6
ENMU-RUIDOSO BRANCH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ELEVATIONS
Mat Pilates: Nov. 5 – Dec. 17 Foundations of Yoga: Nov. 17 – Dec.7
Firefighter 2: Jan. 19 – May 13 Be Looking For: Foundations of Kickboxing Life Coach Zumba Yoga Intermediate Painting Studio Ceramics Studio Community Choir
FOUNDATION From the Executive Director Rhonda Vincent
Seriously, this has been a most unusual year!
year began with high T heexpectations for the
ENMU-Ruidoso Foundation, primarily based on our very popular Aim High sporting clay event, held each summer for the past several years. But the arrival of COVID-19 forced us to cancel Aim High, and lef us with the pressing issue: What to do to keep our momentum raising funds for ENMURuidoso programs and scholarships when so many area students need fnancial assistance. A quick online search will tell you that the Ruidoso-Lincoln County area is one of the most educated and wealthiest regions of New Mexico, but that’s because a large portion of the county’s property owners are second-home buyers with higher than average incomes. Truth be told, ENMU-Ruidoso is a minority majority college. Tirty-four percent of the college enrollment is Hispanic; another 19 percent are Native Americans. Tese are the most undeserved populations in the area, students who would very likely not pursue a college education at all if not for nearby ENMU-Ruidoso. It is for these students that the Foundation exists and works. So rather than concede 2020 to COVID-19 and perhaps fall short of scholarship funds for our most vulnerable students, the Foundation changed directions. Tanks to 300 generous individuals willing to “take a chance” at winning an elk tag or rife, the Foundation replaced Aim High revenue—and perhaps salvaged the dreams and aspirations of dozens of local students. With the popularity of the elk tag rafe, we will likely have a “double opportunity” to raise funds for local students and programs in 2021! And it will kick of with our familiar Aim High event, now scheduled for June 26, 2021, at Inn of the Mountain Gods! Mark the date on your calendar and make plans to join us! We love the sport—but we take our mission seriously!
Elk Raffle Nets $30,581 For Studen deritt Scholarships
E NMU-Ruidoso Foundation’s recent 2020
Second prize was a cow elk tag with guide, a hunt provided New Mexico Elk Tags rafe by the Bent Knee Ranch in netted more than $30,500 for Bent, NM. ENMU-Ruidoso programs and Other prizes included scholarships. a Bergara Timber B-14 6.5 Te rafe replaced the Creedmore rife, a Bergara Foundation’s popular Aim High Timber B-14 .270 Winchester, sporting clay shooting event, and a Glock 19 Gen 5 9mm which was canceled because of Luger. COVID-19. Grand Prize winner was In its place, the Foundation Luke Fender of Midland, TX. rafed of Elk hunting tags and Becky Smith of Hico, TX, won a variety of rifes and guns to the cow hunt. Jennifer Newton interested hunting enthusiasts. of Eunice, NM, Becca Fraga Only 300 tickets were sold of Roswell and John Farah of at $100 each. A drawing for Ruidoso won the Creedmore winners was held via Facebook rife, the Winchester and the Live in mid-September. Glock, respectively. Two elk tags were donated. Helping underwrite Te Grand Prize Either Sex Elk expenses of the event were tag with guide was provided by Jaynes Construction, Cooper Brothers Livestock in Harvey’s Feed & Supply, and Mayhill, NM. Rep. Zach Cook.
Jennifer Newton
Becca Fraga
Gregory Farah
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NON PROFIT STD US Postage
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Permit No. 1 Houston, TX
RUIDOSO Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso Branch Community College 709 Mechem Dr. Ruidoso, NM 88345
ruidoso.enmu.edu
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From The President
as well as remotely, through purposeful study and seminar rooms, through workforce training spaces, and through a committed staff that cares deeply for students and for the community. Finally, completion of the
facility gives the community a resource it deserves, one that will be utilized for multipurposes to continue to enhance the lives of all our residents. With gratitude, again we say thank you, and we look
forward to the day when we can celebrate the completion of the facility with you.
Ryan Trosper, President
Closer to Completion:
Bond C Passage Helps Finalize Long-Held Vision For Community
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approved by voters in Nov. 2019. GO Bond C funds will allow the college to create a facade that makes the two facilities look like one structure. Interior renovations, now nearing completion, renovating existing classrooms for workforce programs, adding a multi-purpose classroom/community meeting space, seminar classrooms and student gathering spaces. General Obligation Bond C (referred to as GO Bond C)
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asked voters to authorize the sale of bonds for needed renovations, upgrades and improvements to college and universities across the state. Approval of the bond will not increase property taxes. For many of New Mexico’s colleges and universities, ENMU-Ruidoso, a general obligation bond is the only source of funding to maintain or modernize facilities taxpayers have already paid for, improve
ENMU-RUIDOSO BRANCH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ELEVATIONS
safety and technology, and boost degree or certifcate programs that give New Mexico students the knowledge and skills they need to pursue high-paying, indemand careers. Tese voter-approved funds are crucial to ensuring that schools remain competitive and are able to attract students and faculty, as well as provide a quality education.