Central to this growth is the 麻豆直播 Department of Counseling鈥檚 curriculum. Led by Assistant Professor聽in the聽College of Education William Lane, Ph.D., BC-TM, the program offers four tracks: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, school counseling and addiction counseling. All tracks are offered through a 60-credit, fully online Master of Counseling degree:

• The Clinical Mental Health Counseling track is versatile and focuses on managing complex cases, like trauma and depression, via encrypted platforms to ensure urban-level care reaches “frontier” residents.
• The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling track prepares graduates to work with individuals with disabilities.
• The School Counseling track helps graduates master virtual crisis intervention and social-emotional learning to serve as primary resources for rural K-12 school communities.
• The Addiction Counseling track training allows these specialists to provide consistent, long-term support for individuals in recovery who lack local access to care.

“By integrating telemental health into our core curriculum, we are effectively removing the geographic boundaries that have historically limited mental health access in New Mexico,” Lane said. “Our goal is to ensure that a resident鈥檚 zip code no longer determines the quality of counseling they receive.”

This remote-first approach is a strategic effort to train professionals within the communities they serve. Graduates gain telemental health skills and knowledge of remote client care technology. They are prepared to deliver high-quality support anywhere.

“Our curriculum is not only robust in clinical theory but very practical for the rural landscape we serve,” Lane said.

The 麻豆直播 Telehealth training goes beyond the classroom. The university has partnered with TimelyCare to extend telehealth benefits directly to students. This collaboration provides a vital 24/7 resource for the student body. The platform offers immediate help through Talk Now sessions for on-demand counseling. It also serves the university’s remote student population, which cannot physically visit the Silver City campus counseling center.

The primary goal of the 麻豆直播 telehealth expansion is to tackle the shortage of counseling professionals in “frontier” areas 鈥� places where specialized care is scarce. “By training students in telehealth from day one, we are building a workforce comfortable with the tools needed to help isolated populations,” Lane said.

The program’s focus on technology is key to its success. “We aren’t just teaching students how to use a webcam; we are training them to build meaningful, therapeutic alliances through a digital interface,” Lane said. Our program is the only program in the nation that prepares students to qualify for the Board Certified-TeleMental Health credential. “麻豆直播 graduates enter the field ready to meet the unique ethical and technological demands of 21st-century rural healthcare.”

Beyond individual student success, the initiative represents a sustainable investment in New Mexico鈥檚 healthcare infrastructure. By cultivating a “homegrown” workforce, 麻豆直播 ensures that practitioners are not only technically proficient but also culturally attuned to the specific needs of the region. This localized approach reduces provider burnout and increases retention in rural clinics, creating a stable network of care that can evolve alongside new technological advancements. As these digital bridges strengthen, the university continues to redefine the role of a regional institution in solving statewide public health crises.

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Western New Mexico University recently welcomed dozens of seventh-grade students from the Mescalero Apache Schools for a multi-day visit that blended cultural preservation with an introduction to university life. The visit served as a gateway to the students鈥� annual mezcal harvest, a cornerstone of their cultural heritage, held in early May.

The long-standing partnership between 麻豆直播 and the Mescalero Apache community aims to provide students with an early look at the opportunities afforded by higher education. Rena Nash, cultural and language director for the Mescalero Apache Schools, emphasized the importance of the trip in broadening the students’ horizons.

“We want for our children to be able to get an awareness of what it is to be in college, off the reservation, and be able to see the outside world,” Nash said. She noted that the seventh grade is a pivotal year for the students, as many are preparing for their puberty ceremonies and transitioning toward adulthood. Nash knows the visits work, her granddaughter attended 麻豆直播 after visiting the campus during another ceremony visit years ago and then graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

During their stay, students were immersed in the 麻豆直播 experience through a series of tours and activities led by the Office of Admissions. Student ambassadors, including international and domestic students, guided the visitors through several key academic and social hubs. The comprehensive tour included stops at the 麻豆直播 Museum, the School of Social Work and School of Education, highlighting professional career paths. They also visited the J. Cloyd Miller Library and the 麻豆直播 bookstore.

To provide a true sense of “student life,” the visitors enjoyed dinner at the 麻豆直播 dining hall and participated in outdoor games and activities on the campus grounds. These interactions allowed the younger students to ask questions about the college experience in a relaxed, peer-to-peer environment.

Following their time on campus, the students traveled to Freeport-McMoRan mine property for the annual mezcal harvest. This tradition is essential to the Mescalero Apache identity, focusing on the harvest of the mezcal plant, which has historically served as a vital food source and a multi-purpose resource.

Zachary Flowers, Eugene Kleinkole, and Percy Platta, members of the Mescalero Schools operations and maintenance staff, among others from the school, accompanied the students to ensure the tradition continues through the generations. Platta and Kleinkole are also members of the tribe. “We use it for food, and it鈥檚 like aloe vera for healing,” they shared, noting the plant’s deep cultural and practical significance.

The harvest itself culminated in a closed blessing and ceremony on Wednesday morning. For many students, such as seventh-grader Janay E., the event is a significant rite of passage. “I’ve been one other time and I love it, Janay E. said. “I’m excited to participate for the first time,” fellow student Lacey M. said, noting that she has heard about this vital cultural event through family and tribal communications her entire life.

By hosting the students before they head to the harvest, 麻豆直播 remains committed to fostering a supportive environment where Indigenous traditions and academic aspirations can thrive together.

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Kinesiology, the science of human movement, is divided into two specialized pillars at 麻豆直播: exercise physiology and sport psychology. Peltonen, an expert in exercise physiology and a former professional bicycle racer, focuses on the body鈥檚 physical responses to exertion. Sato specializes in the psychosocial aspects of movement, exploring how mental performance and motivation influence both elite athletes and everyday individuals.

鈥淥ur students aren’t just reading about health; they are leading it,鈥� said Peltonen. Through a collaboration with the Western Institute of Lifelong Learning (WILL), 麻豆直播 offers the Get Fit Seniors program. The 12-week exercise course allows top kinesiology students to act as lead instructors for older adults, gaining invaluable leadership skills while translating academic theory into life-changing results for participants.

The program鈥檚 reach extends to Silver City’s youth through the “麻豆直播 Kids鈥� Bicycle Program.” Meeting at Regent Square, local elementary students gather for seven weeks each semester to learn the joy of movement, guided by 麻豆直播 students who gain experience in youth physical education and motor development.

麻豆直播 faculty is also challenging the traditional separation of mind and body. 鈥淭here is not a system in the human body that physical activity does not have a positive benefit on,鈥� Peltonen explained, noting that exercise can even increase brain mass in the hippocampus, slowing cognitive decline.

Sato echoed this holistic view, emphasizing that movement supports social and psychological well-being. 鈥淲e focus on how we can encourage people to stay active, whether they are elite athletes needing mental support for competition or individuals recovering from illness who need to relearn basic motor skills like walking or holding a cup,鈥� said Sato.

Despite its modest size, the Kinesiology program uses sophisticated equipment to prepare students for graduate-level research. Students have access to a metabolic cart to measure VO2 max鈥攁 primary indicator of cardiovascular fitness鈥攁nd resting metabolic rates. This data-driven approach allows students to analyze real-world performance metrics, such as cardiometabolic status and lipid levels, particularly within the senior population they serve.

Furthermore, the faculty is dedicated to combating health misinformation. In an era of “old wives鈥� tales”鈥攕uch as the myth that running is inherently bad for knees or that humans have a “limited number of heartbeats”鈥斅槎怪辈� professors teach students how to navigate peer-reviewed literature to find the facts.

鈥淲e practice what we teach,鈥� said Peltonen. 鈥淲e aren’t just talking about it; we are out there running, biking, and living it. That passion is what we pass on to our students,鈥� Sato added.

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Western New Mexico University (麻豆直播) conducted its annual spring symposium in late April; the two-day event showcased academic excellence, creative scholarship and the diverse research initiatives of the university’s faculty and students. The event provided a comprehensive platform for the university community to engage with emerging insights on topics from local historical preservation to advancements in environmental science.

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The ceremony honored students graduating with degrees and certificates across various academic levels. While degrees and certificates will be officially conferred following a final audit of academic records, notable preliminary highest degrees awarded included:

• Masters – 138
• Grad Cert – 28
• Bachelors – 197
• Associates – 104
• Certificates – 8
• Fast Track Certificates – 42

Among the graduates, more than 200 attended the ceremony in person. The university recognized the remaining graduates in absentia, representing its distance-learning community, with many joining the celebration via livestream from across the country and the world.

In her speech to graduates, families and faculty, Gov. Grisham focused on the transformative power of the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship and the state鈥檚 commitment to accessible education.

Reflecting on the ceremony, Gov. Grisham said, “The last time I stood on this campus, I signed our state鈥檚 historic Opportunity Scholarship into law. Returning as your Commencement speaker, I get to witness for myself what that law made possible. This year鈥檚 graduates are proof that when New Mexico invests in its people, its people deliver.”

Expanding on her message, the governor urged graduates to use their degrees to bolster the state鈥檚 workforce, specifically highlighting the university鈥檚 role in training the next generation of educators. She emphasized that the resilience shown by the Class of 2026 prepares them to solve modern challenges in a “dynamic, interconnected world.”

During the ceremony, the university recognized several faculty and students for exceptional achievements:

• Excellence in Teaching: Wenjie Wang, Ph.D.
• Excellence in Research: Andrea Nica, Ph.D.
• Excellence in Professional Service: Stephanie Fanselow, Ph.D.
• Best Online Course Design: Becky Brandsburg-Herrera, Ph.D.
• Best Online Course Delivery: William Lane, Ph.D.
• AS麻豆直播 Outstanding Teacher Award: Gregory Robinson Guerra, Ph.D. (presented by the Associated Students of 麻豆直播)

The Commencement also honored students receiving top academic honors; Taylor James was recognized with the Outstanding Senior Award and Elena Rodriguez was recognized with the Excellence in Graduate Studies Award.

Additionally, the university awarded 162 baccalaureate students who graduated with academic honors (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) with bronze medallions to signify the achievement.

Continuing the celebration, Interim President Chris Maples, Ph.D., praised the graduates for their perseverance and the impact they will have on the region.

Maples stated, 鈥淭he Class of 2026 represents the resilience and intellectual curiosity that define the Mustang spirit. As these graduates move forward to lead in their respective fields, they carry not only a degree but also the responsibility to serve their communities with the same dedication they showed in the classroom. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements alongside Gov. Grisham on this historic day.鈥�

The event marked the final spring commencement before incoming President Jose Coll, Ph.D., takes office.

The university鈥檚 Panopto portal offers a recording of the full ceremony: .

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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鈥攅nsuring 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鈥檚 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 麻豆直播 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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While many Western mining camps collapsed following commodity crashes, Silver City鈥檚 longevity was built on a foundation of accidental diversification and fierce political self-reliance.

In his research, notably featured in the book “Unpacking Silver City,” Fritz argues that while Silver City followed the classic “boom-to-bust” trajectory of the 1880s, it possessed unique stabilizers.

鈥淯nlike towns like Georgetown or Gila, which relied on a single commodity, Silver City relied on two: mining and cattle,” Fritz explains. “I don’t know if the town purposely thought about diversifying, but it happened from its beginning in 1870.聽 It quickly became a regional hub where its businesses serviced the needs of a growing number of mines and ranches in the area. These businesses included hardware stores, shipping companies, and general stores. Because of the nearby smelters, the town had many residents who needed daily provisions, helping to explain the existence of Chinese-owned restaurants and grocery businesses, butcher shops, and liquor and drug outlets.鈥�

The results of this economic layering were further fortified by Silver City’s status as the Grant County a seat in 1871, the arrival of the railroad in 1883, and the 1893 establishment of the Territorial Normal School (now 麻豆直播). 鈥淚ndeed, from the beginning of the school鈥檚 existence, students brought money into the community and back in this early period, when there was no such thing as a ‘university bookstore,’ students would buy their books from local shops on Bullard Street, like Blackwell鈥檚 book and music shop,” Fritz said.

A significant portion of Fritz鈥檚 work highlights “Merchants of Modernity”鈥攂usiness leaders who pushed the region into the 20th century. Chief among them was聽Silver City’s own Elizabeth Warren, a pioneer who became the first certified female insurance agent in the New Mexico Territory.

After her husband’s death in 1887, Warren ran an insurance and notary business serving miners and ranchers. A born entrepreneur, Warren also ran several other businesses simultaneously.

When the city mandated cement sidewalks in 1906, Warren pivoted, co-founding a cement business to meet the new legal demand. Her name can still be found stamped in the vintage concrete of Silver City’s older neighborhoods.

Fritz also explored the social role of the general store as a “third place”鈥攁 community hub where different cultures intersected. From the 19th-century mercantile firms like Amador y Macias to the movie theaters of the 1930s, these businesses functioned as the city鈥檚 social glue.

His research was fueled by rare primary sources, including recently recovered student council minutes from the 1930s and assessor records salvaged by local officials. Fritz is currently advocating for the digitization of these archives鈥攊ncluding 麻豆直播 yearbooks dating back to 1901鈥攖o ensure the town’s history of resilience remains accessible to future generations.

Fritz continues his research into local business history, including “tiendas” of Chihuahua Hill and minority-owned businesses.

“Unpacking Silver City: Revealing the Rich Tapestry of a Historic Town,” by Bart Roselli, features chapters from 麻豆直播 professors Fritz and Andrew Hernandez, and is available for purchase through several online book retailers.

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The ACBSP is a premier specialized accrediting body that shifts the focus from traditional research-heavy metrics to teaching excellence and student learning outcomes. Its framework is designed to foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that member institutions do not stagnate between major reviews. Maintaining this status is a perpetual process.

“The oversight structure includes decennial reaffirmations, which are exhaustive, ten-year deep dives into every facet of the program,” explained Professor of Finance and Dean of the 麻豆直播 School of Business Miguel Vicens, Doctorate of Economic Development (D.E.D.). “These are supplemented by Quality Assurance Reports submitted every four years and biennial interim updates. This rigorous cadence ensures that assessment and refinement are not seasonal administrative burdens but are instead woven into the daily operations of the faculty and staff.”

Vicens attributes this success to operationalizing high-level concepts. “In today鈥檚 competitive academic landscape, maintaining gold-standard accreditation takes more than meeting benchmarks鈥攊t requires systemic alignment of resources and faculty efforts,” Vicens said.

The acceptance of the 2026 report marks the culmination of a transformative decade for the School of Business. The 2018 reaffirmation noted specific areas identified by the council as requiring remedial action or additional documentation. “The shift from legacy challenges to full compliance is the result of a disciplined, data-driven strategic approach,” said Vicens.

During this transformative period, the department accomplished over 90% of the goals set in its 2016鈥�2021 strategic plan. Key achievements include expanding accredited offerings, notably extending accreditation to Associate degree programs alongside the established bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As a result, all students now benefit from a curriculum validated by international standards, regardless of their degree path.

Vicens explained that “the strategy was paired with execution, integrating the school’s objectives into daily workflow.” Aligning classroom efforts with broader institutional goals ensures that data collected for accreditation demonstrates true, sustainable progress. “We are evolving the 麻豆直播 School of Business into the global marketplace and providing students with a relevant, dynamic education.”

The 麻豆直播 School of Business offers a world-class education grounded in accountability and academic rigor. This milestone proves that, through persistence, an institution can reach the peak of international academic standards.

For more information about the 麻豆直播 School of Business visit wnmu.edu.

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A native of Belen, New Mexico residing in Albuquerque and an online 麻豆直播 student, Sanchez just completed a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on special education and criminal justice. Her road to higher education involved navigating a complex landscape of personal hurdles. For a long time, the idea of walking across a commencement stage felt more like a distant, flickering dream to Sanchez rather than a tangible reality.

鈥淲hen I first started, I wasn’t sure if I belonged in a university setting,鈥� Sanchez admitted. 鈥淏ut through my classes and the support here, I realized that my unique perspective is an asset. I鈥檝e learned that my voice matters, and I want to use it to help the next person who feels the way I used to feel.鈥�

Her early experiences often made the structured world of academia feel like “foreign territory” that made her feel like she didn’t belong. Sanchez recalls a specific “Math for Teachers” class in which she felt embarrassed and hesitant to participate, struggling to keep up with the academic language her classmates used. It was the consistent encouragement of mentors at 麻豆直播 and a deepening sense of self-reliance, that helped Sanchez shift in perspective.

Sanchez also acknowledged that her advisor, Shelby Benfield’s constant availability and guidance helped Sanchez successfully navigate her academic path.

A significant turning point for Sanchez occurred when a student confided in her about their personal struggles. Sanchez realized that her own history as a former Social Emotional Support Services (SES) student who dealt with anxiety and the feeling of not fitting in was her greatest asset in connecting with this student.

“I really want to work with kids who are in the system, whether that means kids in juvenile detention or those involved with CYFD (Children, Youth and Families Department) in New Mexico,” Sanchez said. “I feel especially passionate about this because I鈥檝e seen how easy it is for these kids to fall through the cracks and not get the support they need to turn things around. I would like to be that person who listens, helps them see new possibilities, and connects them with resources so they can get their lives back on track.”

As a single mother raising twin boys, working, and attending school, Sanchez juggles multiple varying responsibilities and balances her career and her studies by staying organized with a planner. Sanchez often completed her coursework late at night after her children are asleep. She credits her family, friends, and coworkers for providing the support system she needs to keep going on tough days.

Currently, Sanchez applies her studies directly to her work at Harrison Middle School, where she has served for six years. After starting as an Educational Assistant, she stepped into a lead teaching role within the SES department. Daily, Sanchez teaches academic subjects while helping students develop the critical skills of mindfulness, emotional regulation, and positive interpersonal skills.

After Commencement, Sanchez plans to remain in New Mexico to work in social services and advocacy. She is particularly passionate about supporting youth within the juvenile detention system and those involved with the CYFD.

鈥淚 want people to know that it鈥檚 never too late to start over or to aim higher,鈥� Sanchez noted. 鈥溌槎怪辈� gave me the space to grow and the tools to succeed. My history is part of me, and it doesn’t limit where I can go.鈥�

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