While most histories mark the 13th Amendment as the end of slavery, Hernandez’s research reveals that Southwest New Mexico maintained exploitative methods like slavery and domestic servitude involving Indigenous peoples for nearly a century afterward. Backed by archival records and oral histories, the book exposes how displaced or orphaned Indigenous individuals were forced into local households and ranches under conditions constituting illegal and unethical enslavement.

“As a scholar, I’m dedicated to emphasizing the “human element” of history—ensuring that the story of Silver City isn’t only about mining or other basic elements of economic development, but about the diverse people who built the town,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez emphasizes that understanding the region’s modern identity requires direct confrontation with this persistent legacy. His research aims to provide an honest, unvarnished account of the experiences of those marginalized and exploited, thereby expanding the common understanding of the Southwest’s development. “By centering the voices of the enslaved or those otherwise taken as captives, the work contests the sanitized versions of frontier progress often found in local lore,” Hernandez explained.

The book explores the complex transition of Silver City from a volatile, high-stakes mining camp into a settled community, noting that the “boom” eras frequently depended on oppressive labor systems that lacked even the most basic human rights protections.

Hernandez identifies specific legal loopholes and rigid social structures that allowed slavery and closely related practices to persist in the shadows of the law until the late 1970s, denoting a significant and jarring break from standard historical chronologies of American labor and civil rights.

“My research contends that Silver City’s evolution depended not only on mineral resources and other forms of economic development but also on coerced labor tied to the partial assimilation of Native Americans that persisted through major national shifts,” Hernandez said. He argues that a system of hidden ownership existed, with Indigenous people forced into domestic roles and stripped of identity, showing a broad failure of oversight. “The book’s findings are positioned to spark the needed community and statewide dialogue about reconciliation and historical truth,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez concludes that confronting the community’s foundational injustices is essential for healing and accurate remembrance. His study argues that these violations are not distant history, but a lived experience for many residents. This recency stresses the ethical obligation to examine and address the region’s past.

“Unpacking Silver City: Revealing the Rich Tapestry of a Historic Town,” by Bart Roselli, features chapters from Â鶹ֱ²¥ professors Hernandez and Scott Fritz, and is available for purchase through several online book retailers.

Visit wnmu.edu for information about degree programs and class offerings.

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For Hendren, the path to May 2026 was fueled by a drive to prove that dedication brings transformation. This milestone means more than words can express because it is bigger than a degree; it shows what’s possible for her family and her community. She wanted her children to see that commitment makes any goal attainable, no matter the obstacles.

Hendren’s path was anything but traditional. While at Â鶹ֱ²¥, she has been a ‘quadruple threat,’ successfully managing the roles of a full-time student, as well as a mother, a track coach, and an active community member. The discipline required to balance academic rigor with parenting and coaching now guides her leadership philosophy.

Hendren often reflects on the “lightbulb moments” she experienced in the classroom, particularly in her upper-level mathematics courses. She recalls how the complexity of the subject matter initially felt daunting, yet the structure and logic of math eventually became a source of empowerment. This journey from uncertainty to mastery is exactly what she intends to share with her future students. “I want my children, athletes, and students to see that real accomplishments come from sustained hard work and the courage to ask for help,” Hendren says.

Hendren mentioned the residency program while taking classes at Â鶹ֱ²¥ as particularly instrumental for her as it allowed Hendren to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world classroom setting. During her residency, Hendren also discovered that her background as a coach gave her a unique edge in classroom management and student engagement, allowing her to connect with learners who might otherwise struggle with the abstract nature of mathematics.

While Hendren’s personal resolve was the engine of her success, she credits the Â鶹ֱ²¥ faculty with providing the fuel. She highlights the university’s unique environment, where support transcends departmental lines. “The professors at Â鶹ֱ²¥ made all the difference because they didn’t just teach content; they taught resilience,” explained Hendren. She indicated that professor Hendren encountered believed in her, challenged her, and encouraged her to grow. They often saw potential in Hendren that she didn’t see in herself, especially during those semesters when balancing her residency with home life felt nearly impossible. That support extended beyond the classroom to Hendren’s family, as her professors understood the gravity of her commitment as a first-generation student and a parent.

Beyond the campus walls, Hendren points to her husband as the cornerstone of her academic journey. From late-night study sessions at the kitchen table to the stress of final exams, she emphasizes that this achievement is a shared victory. Her husband’s willingness to step in with the children and manage the household during her most demanding weeks allowed her to focus on the high-level coursework required for her double major. “This achievement belongs to him and my children just as much as it belongs to me; we all sacrificed time together so I could reach this goal,” Hendren said.

Graduation in May is a transition for Hendren, not an exit. Driven by her passion for education and a desire to deepen her expertise, she has already committed to continuing her studies at Â鶹ֱ²¥. Following her double bachelor’s, she will begin her Master’s degree program, further cementing her role as a leader in New Mexico’s educational landscape. As a first-generation graduate, Hendren is blazing a trail for her family, students, and the Silver City community, proving that the finish line is only the beginning of a new chapter.

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Situated on the ancestral lands of the Chiricahua Apache and other Indigenous peoples, Â鶹ֱ²¥ recognizes its deep connection to regional tribal nations, fostering an environment of education, partnership, and cultural preservation.

This commitment is underscored by the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Museum, which houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of Mimbres artifacts in the world. A people who thrived in southwestern New Mexico between 900 and 1150 A.D.

The Â鶹ֱ²¥ chapter of MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlán), which translates to Chicana/o Student Movement of Aztlán, is providing a voice and presence for members who are Native American, Alaska Native, and Samoan.

A highlight of the beginning of the month was a traditional Frybread Lunch offering on Nov. 5, which provided an opportunity for students, faculty, and community members to gather, share a traditional Native American meal, and engage in fellowship.

Looking ahead, the club is organizing a creative endeavor where members will design posters showcasing their diverse cultures and heritage. Once completed, these educational and personal expressions of culture will be displayed in the Miller Library on the Â鶹ֱ²¥ campus, offering a visual narrative of Indigenous experiences to the broader campus community. The Miller Library will also feature ongoing educational resources throughout November, with a curated collection of books and materials related to Native American history, literature, and culture.

The club’s mission is vital to student life, offering a supportive space for Indigenous students.Marilyn Tafoya, a junior at Â鶹ֱ²¥ and acting president of the club, hails from the Jicarilla Apache reservation. Though initially an introvert hesitant to join, Tafoya quickly found a sense of belonging so strong that she stepped up to leadership to ensure the club’s survival and future growth.

“Each new generation of students coming of age shares in the pain of stereotypes. We want to disrupt those stereotypes by providing awareness of indigenous peoples through our club,” Tafoya stated. She encourages new students who may feel shy or fearful to take a chance: “The club can really make a difference for you. Come in and check it out.”

Tafoya shared a personal dream goal: to have local native artists paint a mural on campus to promote Native Americans and Native American Heritage Month, leaving a lasting, visible tribute to Indigenous culture.

Scott Fritz, Ph.D. and Â鶹ֱ²¥ history professor is the longtime advisor for the Native American cultural club and has supported the students for over a decade. He noted that while in-person activities were once the norm, the club has adapted to the increasing online offerings by Â鶹ֱ²¥, ensuring a wider range of engaging activities for all members, regardless of their location.

“Native American Heritage Month is an essential time for our university community to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and plan for a more inclusive future,” said Dr. Fritz. “The club aims not just to celebrate, but to deepen the understanding of the complex and enduring legacies of the Indigenous nations that steward this land.”

Â鶹ֱ²¥ proudly reinforces this commitment through its academic offerings, including an American Indian Studies Minor, which demonstrates its continuous dedication to programs that highlight Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.

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Granadino began her studies this September and is pursuing a degree in Zoology with an eye toward a future master’s in veterinary science. As a first-generation college student, she is embracing the added pressure and academic rigor of her STEM-focused coursework, which currently includes algebra, a psychology course, and classes in plant form and function.

“I was initially hesitant to start school again because I really enjoyed the ‘average adult life,’ but after a while, I started to feel unfulfilled intellectually,” Granadino stated. “I chose Zoology because it is fairly related to my interest in veterinary science, and I have what can only be described as a love for knowledge about animals.”

Granadino’s application highlighted her extensive commitment to community engagement in Silver City. During her middle and high school years at Aldo Leopold Charter School, she dedicated several years to the Silver City Youth Mural Program. In this role, she helped design and teach others, working with diverse age ranges and personalities on projects, including one with middle school students in Bayard and another with the Western Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL) at Â鶹ֱ²¥. This background in art, while not her ultimate major, has instilled in her valuable leadership and collaborative skills and serves as her creative outlet.

The scholarship is particularly significant for helping to mitigate a key logistical challenge for Granadino. As she shared in her scholarship essay, the funds will help secure reliable transport—either by repairing her older vehicle or by helping her acquire a new one—easing the burden on her and her family. “Economically, my family has always faced struggles,” Granadino noted. “

Makiah also manages the challenge of being hard of hearing, communicating with others primarily by reading lips. But being hard of hearing has never hindered her ability to engage in complex subjects or fully participate in her academic life. After taking a gap year following high school, during which she worked as a waitress to hone her social skills, she returned to a structured educational environment with renewed focus.

The scholarship has already inspired her to seek out additional financial aid opportunities throughout her academic journey. Her younger sister is also following a higher education path currently participating in dual enrollment courses at Â鶹ֱ²¥.

Attending Â鶹ֱ²¥, a familiar campus in the town where she grew up, is a positive experience. While she continues to work as a waitress to support herself, her immediate plans are to knock out her required core courses this semester and next, allowing her to then focus entirely on her more specialized Zoology studies.

Granadino’s determination and commitment to both her community and her education make her a truly deserving recipient of the Hispanic Heritage Month Scholarship. Â鶹ֱ²¥ looks forward to supporting her as she continues her path toward a career in animal husbandry and veterinary science.

Pictured: Makiah Granadino (left) receives her scholarship award during Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at Â鶹ֱ²¥, pictured with Marivel Medel, administrative assistant, Â鶹ֱ²¥ (right).

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Learn more about ¡Fiesta Latina! and the important role this event plays in celebrating the university’s designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and its ongoing commitment to diversity and community, .

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Â鶹ֱ²¥, an Hispanic Serving Institution and a charter member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, has several activities planned in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The university is kicking off the festivities early with an Hispanic Unity Ball, Hasta la Raiz, on Friday, September 12. At the ball, which is sponsored by MEChA, students will be recognized for their grades, student leadership, and student athlete status. The ball will be held in the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Museum, 7:00–9:00 p.m., with an after-party on the Student Memorial Center Patio 9:00–11:00 p.m.

On September 16, Student Life is hosting a game of Loteria, a traditional Mexican board game of chance, with prizes relevant to Hispanic culture. The game will be 12:00–2:00 p.m. in the Student Life Lounge.

A Hispanic Heritage Fiesta will be held September 19 in the Intramural Gym, sponsored by Con Ganas, a program funded with grant money awarded under the U.S. Department of Education’s Title V Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions program. The event will include Dual Enrollment students from Deming, Cobre and Silver High, Â鶹ֱ²¥ HSI Student Ambassadors, local Chicano Historian Javier Marrufo, Grant County League of United Latin Citizens (LULAC) Council 8003, and the Los Angeles-based art collective Kalli Arte. The event, which runs 10:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., will feature performances from Mariachi Plata and the Deming High Folklorico Group, and there will be an art display and a conversation with the artists hosted by Mónica Ortiz Uribe.

The artists of the Kalli Arte collective will also be conducting a linoleum block printing workshop on Saturday, September 20, in McCray 105. Registration for this event is required.

MEChA will be holding a salsa competition, and in conjunction with the Black Student Union, they will also be hosting a fútbol (soccer) tournament. Dates and times for these events will be announced through social media.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs through October 15.

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