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Legislators praise Western New Mexico University, discuss dual‑credit, Deming campus and short courses
Summary
Interim Western New Mexico University president and lawmakers highlighted the university's role in rural workforce training, dual‑credit programs and plans to expand services in Deming; lawmakers and the interim president also discussed a possible paraprofessional archaeological certification to support recovery and fire mitigation.
Western New Mexico University’s interim president told a legislative interim committee visiting the Silver City campus that the university serves about 3,000 students, most of them in some online course formats, and that the school is emphasizing workforce and career‑technical partnerships for the region.
Interim President Chris Maples said the university’s profile as “New Mexico’s applied arts and sciences campus” makes it a natural host for transportation and infrastructure panels. “We’re at about students around 3,000 or so,” Maples said when asked for enrollment. He also said many WNMU students take courses online and that faculty teach from across and outside the state.
Lawmakers and university leaders discussed several recurring topics - Dual and concurrent enrollment: Representatives praised WNMU’s dual‑ and concurrent‑enrollment work and the university’s local partnerships with schools, the hospital, veterans’ facilities and early‑childhood providers. Maples and lawmakers emphasized that dual and accelerated degree pathways can reduce time and cost for students and strengthen a rural workforce. - Deming/John Arthur Smith campus: Representatives asked about activity at the Deming campus. Maples said the university intends to maintain and grow a presence in Deming and is still finalizing plans for construction and program development, citing ongoing proposals and an interest in responsive, nimble programming for rural communities. - New short course/paraprofessional certification: Representative Dow described work with Representative Terrazas on a 6‑ to 8‑week paraprofessional certification for archaeological surveys that federal rules allow in extraordinary circumstances (for rapid response to catastrophic events). The course would create more “boots on the ground” for thinning, recovery and post‑fire stabilization; Maples said Western could add a course and expects local enrollment.
Why it matters: lawmakers said strengthening dual enrollment, career‑technical education and short, practical certifications helps reduce student debt, build the local workforce and keep graduates in New Mexico. Several legislators also described grants and capital outlay investments that depend on close local‑university collaboration.
What was not decided: committee members did not take formal action on capital projects, but several legislators asked for continued coordination with the university on nursing, early‑childhood and technical programs and follow‑up on Deming campus plans.
This account is based on committee testimony given at Western New Mexico University by Interim President Chris Maples and lawmakers including Representatives Dow, Terrazas and Jones.
