Southeast New Mexico College

Students participated in a Paint Party sponsored by HSI Grant Services on October 29, 2024. The students were able to express themselves and relax through the process of creating art. They unleashed their creativity and left with their own masterpiece. This was the first of three Paint Party sessions scheduled this semester. The next sessions are scheduled for November 13 and December 4. Contact Rebeca Galindo at rgalindo@senmc.edu for more information.

On November 7, 2024, students enjoyed an incredible STEM Movie Night featuring the film Gravity. The event brought together 25 attendees who enjoyed an evening of cinematic adventure and engaging discussions. The movie's thrilling portrayal of space exploration sparked curiosity and provided a fantastic platform to celebrate National STEM Day. This event was sponsored by HSI Grants Services. Contact Erick Dominguez at edominguez@senmc.edu for information about upcoming events.

Students looking to advance their careers in the Oil and Gas Industry attended the Chevron Recruitment Event presented by Sergio Urias on November 5, 2024. The students were given the opportunity to ask industry related questions and bring their resumes to interview for job opportunities at Chevron.

SENMC students voted in the 2024 US Elections on November 5th and proudly displayed their "I Voted" stickers on campus.

Southeast New Mexico College held its Fall 2024 Welcome & Orientation event on August 19, 2024. Students were welcomed with swag bags to celebrate embarking on their college journey at SENMC. The presentation provided students and parents valuable information about SENMC, including clubs, organizations, and campus resources. Participants were also given the opportunity to test their memories and win great prizes. Orientation concluded with a tour of the campus.

The SENMC Spring 2024 Orientation at Southeast New Mexico College welcomed students with insights into campus resources and a guided tour. Staff members introduced the academic community, and students explored facilities, and learned about support services. The tour, led by student workers, familiarized students with key locations. The day ended with a social gathering and fostering connections.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has selected Tessa Folks as one of the 60 high-achieving community college students to receive the prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This highly competitive award allows students to complete their undergraduate degrees at four-year institutions with minimal financial burden.

Tessa Folks, a student at Southeast New Mexico College, has been named New Mexico's 2024 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship. Tessa is the first Southeast New Mexico College student to receive the scholarship and represented New Mexico at the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Convention in Louisville, KY on April 8, 2024. To become a New Century Transfer Scholar is a competitive process. According to Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), New Century Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,200 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Transfer Scholar is selected from each state. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

Students attended the SENMC Welcome and Orientation event. During this time, students met staff from the different departments and learned about the resources that Southeast New Mexico College offers.

Southeast New Mexico College would like to extend congratulations to the 2024 SENMC Graduates. The annual commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, May 10th at 6 PM at the Walter Gerrell's Performing Arts and Exhibition Center. Lineup will begin at 5 PM. 109 graduates are set to graduate this year with associate degrees and certificates. This will be a momentous occasion as it is the first Southeast New Mexico College commencement ceremony independent from New Mexico State University. Dr. Kevin Beardmore, president at Southeast New Mexico College said, "We are so pleased to celebrate our graduates with their family, friends, and communities. They may be leaving us, but now they will share their considerable skills and talents at universities of their choice or in the workplaces of our area. We are grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of their academic journey." We look forward to this year's lineup of speakers. Marily Sosa, SENMC Nursing Graduate, will provide the welcome, Tessa Folks, SENMC Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) President and Outstanding Associate of Science Graduate, will give the student address, and 2024 SENMC Mountain Lion Pride Teaching Award Recipient, Dr. David McIntosh, Assistant Professor of History and Anthropology, will deliver the faculty address. The ceremony will be available for live stream on the SENMC Facebook page and YouTube for family and friends to view if they are not able to attend in person.

On April 27, 2024, the Alpha Rho Xi chapter at SENMC inducted 26 new members into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Each of these students completed at least 12 cumulative credit hours with a 3.5 or higher. The advisors, Dr. Raven Anderson and Dr. David McIntosh, congratulate each of them for this academic achievement.

In a remarkable display of dedication and determination, students at SENMC have achieved unprecedented academic success, rewriting the script of excellence in education. Behind every achievement lies a story of determination, supported by the guidance of mentors and the unwavering encouragement of families. These bright minds have soared to new heights, setting a shining example for their peers and the community at large. Their outstanding accomplishments, spanning various disciplines, reflect not only their individual brilliance but also the collective support system that surrounds them. As they celebrate these milestones, they inspire us all to reach for the stars and never settle for anything less than our best.

Last Friday's Peer Mentoring Program presentation at the Persistence and Completion Day was a dynamic and insightful session that showcased the invaluable contributions of Peer Mentors Brittney, Delia, and Sarah, alongside Student Worker Joel. Their collective experiences and dedication to student success provided a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for attendees. Brittney, Delia, and Sarah, as seasoned Peer Mentors, brought forth their firsthand experiences in supporting fellow students through various academic and personal challenges. Their anecdotes painted a vivid picture of the impact that peer support can have on student persistence and achievement. From navigating course selections to providing emotional support during stressful times, their commitment to fostering a supportive community was palpable. Together, the presenters emphasized the multifaceted nature of student support and the interconnectedness of various campus resources in promoting persistence and completion. Through their collaborative efforts, they demonstrated how peer mentorship and student employment programs can synergize to create a nurturing environment conducive to academic and personal growth. Attendees left the presentation with a deeper understanding of the pivotal role that peer mentors and student workers play in fostering student success. Inspired by the passion and dedication exhibited by Brittney, Delia, Sarah, and Joel, participants were encouraged to further explore opportunities for mentorship and student involvement, recognizing them as integral components of a thriving academic community.

As part of First Year Experience (FYE), the SENMC Peer Mentors provide assistance and mentorship to students wanting help navigating student life. The program was developed in fall of 2022, under the leadership of Raymond Dominguez. The Fall 2023 semester, the Peer Mentoring program's first semester with cohorts, was a great success with more than 100 students participating. The mentoring program is open to all students at SENMC and is a great way to gain knowledge of campus resources and increase academic success. In addition to mentoring responsibilities, the Peer Mentors assist with HSI Grant Services events and workshops throughout the semesters.