Southeast New Mexico College

The CLIFF Scholars Honors Program's first cohort of students presented project poster exhibits at the inaugural CLIFF Scholars Honors Program Symposium on the evening of May 1, 2025. The program's director, Professor Zane Biebelle, spoke at the event, congratulating the students on their hard work and successful projects.

Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is proud to recognize its very first Mountain Lion Student of the Month, a new honor established to celebrate students who embody the college's core values. The Mountain Lion Student of the Month program was created to promote a culture of excellence, encourage active student engagement, and recognize outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, and community involvement. All currently enrolled SENMC students in good academic standing are eligible for nomination. For the month of September, SENMC is pleased to announce Elida Sotelo as the inaugural award recipient. Elida was nominated by her professor, Cindy Wang, in recognition of her dedication, hard work, and contributions to the SENMC community. In her nomination, Cindy said this about Elida. "Elida demonstrates leadership through consistent, service-oriented action in class, on campus, and at Mountain Lion Cub Care. As a peer mentor, she supports classmates with study strategies, connects them to resources, and models professionalism and integrity. In Mountain Lion Cub Care, she takes initiative to lead developmentally appropriate activities, communicates clearly with families and staff, and calmly solves problems to keep children safe and engaged. Importantly, she is actively learning new technology and turns that growth into guidance for others-sharing tips, troubleshooting coursework tools, and encouraging peers to build digital confidence. Her inclusive approach, reliability, and example-driven work ethic elevate the people around her and reflect strong, everyday leadership. She is an inspiration-balancing coursework, campus employment at Mountain Lion Cub Care, and peer mentoring while continually learning new technology and sharing it with others. Her steady optimism, humility, and willingness to help classmates, whether by troubleshooting a digital tool or encouraging them to keep going, lift the confidence of those around her. Families and colleagues trust her because she follows through, communicates clearly, and models professionalism every day. In short, her presence strengthens our classrooms and our campus community; recognizing her would honor not only her achievements, but the many students she motivates to persist and excel." This new recognition initiative reflects SENMC's ongoing commitment to highlighting student success and fostering a strong, engaged campus community.

The hottest summer and fall classes were showcased at the Pop-Up Course Boutique 2: Return of the Bubbles on April 29 and 30, 2025. Students chatted with faculty members, shopped around, and picked out their must-have classes for the upcoming semesters.

Students participated in a Mind CTRL Mental Health Workshop on April 24, 2025, at SENMC. This series of workshops focuses on equipping students with the necessary tools to assess their mental health, implement positive changes, and reach out for help when necessary.

Once again SENMC's Taste of Culture, the annual international cuisine tasting event, was a huge success! Particpants, including students, faculty, staff, and community members, enjoyed sampling a diverse collection of delectable treats from all over the world.

Southeast New Mexico College held a Transfer & Career Carnival Fair on April 3, 2025. Students learned about career opportunities available in our community and, for those looking to transfer, there were several universities represented with information about their programs.

Southeast New Mexico College is proud to announce the 88 students who have been named to the Southeast New Mexico College President's List for Fall 2024. To be eligible for the President's List, a student must be enrolled in 12 or more semester credits with a computable grade in each class and earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Southeast New Mexico College President Kevin Beardmore said, "I am honored to recognize the 88 students for the Fall 2024 President's List. It is an outstanding academic achievement. I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that these students invested in their educational and professional growth."

The Spring 2025 Welcome & Orientation was held Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Students in attendance learned about various resources on campus, such as Student Services, the Learning Assistance Center, the Learning Technology Center, and the Library, as well as information about the Peer Mentoring Program, the CLIFF Scholars Honors Program, and Merit. The event concluded with a tour of the SENMC campus.

On March 20, 2025, the Equality Club at Southeast New Mexico College hosted an engaging event called Dulce Trivia. Open to all students and faculty, the event combined a fun-filled trivia game with a delicious spread of pan dulce and coffee, creating a welcoming atmosphere for participants. The goal of Dulce Trivia was not only to provide an enjoyable break from studies but also to promote the Equality Club and its mission. The club, dedicated to fostering inclusivity and equality on campus, used the event to encourage students to learn more about its initiatives and get involved. The Equality Club hopes to continue hosting similar events in the future, ensuring that Southeast New Mexico College remains a place where diversity and inclusivity thrive.

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.

Southern New Hampshire University congratulates the following students on being named to the Honor Roll for the 2024 C-5 (Sep - Oct) term. Honor Roll is a term-specific achievement that recognizes learners who excel at SNHU. It was established in 2022 to help recognize academic excellence in our part-time and graduate learners. Eligibility for the SNHU Honor Roll requires full-time or part-time undergraduate, graduate, or coursework only online or campus students to earn an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher for an individual term. Please note: Full-time undergraduate students who receive the Honor Roll may also be eligible for the President's List or Dean's List. Honor Roll is awarded at the end of each term, while the President's List and Dean's List are recognized at the end of the 16-week campus terms or following paired 8-week terms for online students. While acknowledgment of the Honor Roll is an achievement, it is not a recognized university honor and has no bearing on eligibility for honor societies, Latin honors, or ceremonial honors at the time of conferral or during the Commencement ceremony, nor will it be noted on the student's academic transcript or diploma. Please see the university catalog for policies specific to Latin and ceremonial honors.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.