New Mexico

New Mexico Highlands University tackles social worker shortage

Published

7 months ago

March 8, 2024

New Mexico Highlands University tackles social worker shortage

As the state of New Mexico faces a shortage of social workers, one university is working with high school students to introduce them to careers in the field.

NEW MEXICO — As the state of New Mexico faces a shortage of social workers, one university is working with high school students to introduce them to careers in the field.

“New Mexico is really a social work desert in some respects. And we really need to find a way to grow this workforce,” Melissa Riley said.

Melissa Riley is the director of the Native American Social Work Studies Institute at New Mexico Highlands University.

The institute receives funding from the New Mexico Legislature to develop better training for the current workforce – and a better curriculum for students looking to enter it.

Now, they’re visiting schools across the state to see what they need to do to help and spur students’ interest.

Even if social work isn’t their first career option.

“We do have some young minds that are very interested and very concerned with the future. They’re looking at community safety, looking at child welfare,” Riley said. “Those are the students we wanna open our doors to and say, ‘We need you to be a part of this growing movement to increase our social work workforce.’”

Riley says students often hear about social workers in crisis or turmoil. However, when they talk about the full scope of careers in the social work field, it opens their eyes.

It also chips away at the stigma around the field.

“When you talk about being a medical social worker, working with veterans, working with elderly and disabled populations, that’s when you see the a-ha moment of ‘Wow I didn’t really know you could do all of those things with a social work degree.’ It is piquing the interest.”

The Institute also offers training for students so they can get a head start on their careers.

“If you have the group, even the administrators or staff that are interested, give us a call. The New Mexico Legislature has been investing in the institute for several years now. There’s no fee. We just want an audience. We just want to see how we can make a difference here,” Riley said.

If you’d like to learn more about the Native American Social Work Studies Institute at New Mexico Highlands University, click here.

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New Mexico

CSU-Pueblo crushes New Mexico Highlands | KRDO

Published

5 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

CSU-Pueblo crushes New Mexico Highlands | KRDO

The CSU-Pueblo football team exploded for a 67-28 win over New Mexico Highlands.

The Thunderwolves reached the 66 point mark for the second straight week.

CSU-Pueblo improves to 5-1 this season.

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New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico volleyball falls to 0-4 in conference play after loss to Angelo State

Published

13 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

Eastern New Mexico volleyball falls to 0-4 in conference play after loss to Angelo State

PORTALES, N.M. (KFDA) – The Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds volleyball team was not able to get their first conference win, falling to No. 14-ranked Angelo State on Saturday in Portales on Homecoming.

The Greyhounds got some life after winning the first set (25-23), which is the first set they’ve won in their last three games.

That momentum wouldn’t hold, as the Rambelles took the last three sets (22-25, 15-25, 13-25) to end the day.

Evelyn Torres from Angelo State finished with 15 kills and 20 digs in the match.

The senior from Hereford high school, Darcy Dodd, was the only Greyhound with 10 or more kills and tied for fourth for the most digs on the team.

ENMU will be on the road in Oklahoma for their next match against Cameron on Wednesday.

Following this loss, they now sit at 3-11 on the year and are 16th in the Lone Star Conference.

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New Mexico

Curry to renegotiate events center contract

Published

22 hours ago

October 5, 2024

Press Room

Curry County will renegotiate its contract with the company managing the Curry County Events Center. But it won’t attempt to terminate the agreement as commissioners discussed last month.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Commissioner Seth Martin said he’s still not happy the Oak View Group 360 exceeded its budget for the last fiscal year.

“If it were up to me, I would escort y’all off the property and have Curry County take over,” Martin said. He said commissioners and administrators were “led to believe” the management group was under budget until a final report was delivered on Sept. 24.

Officials said OVG 360 exceeded its budget by about $180,000. The Events Center operated at a loss of $858,000 for the year, though most of that was expected.

Martin asked County Attorney Dan Macke to look into whether OVG 360 breached its contract with the county by exceeding its budget.

“But the important thing,” said Commissioner Robert Thornton, “is we instructed (county) management to re-negotiate our contract with OVG 360.

“If we were to just end the contract we would have to give them 30 days notice, they would have 30 days to correct the problem and then we’d have to give them 90 days notice of termination. And their contract ends Jan. 1,” Thornton said.

One thing commissioners, county administrators and OVG representatives seemed to agree on: the Events Center is more an equestrian center than a concert venue.

“The Events Center was built as an equestrian deal,” Thornton said after the meeting.

Rebecca Bolton and Kevin Ortiz, administrators from OVG 360, appeared before commissioners with plans the company has to rectify the problematic financial issues. And Bolton said the company’s equestrian and rodeo events professional will be brought in to work with events center General Manager K. C. Messick.

Ortiz told commissioners, “K. C. is severely understaffed.”

Martin reiterated he was interested in cutting losses.

“I’m not trying to make this facility make money. It won’t. I would like to see us work together,” Martin said of OVG 360 and the county government.

“We are partners and stewards,” said Bolton.

Some commissioners expressed support for Messick.

“I believe K.C. was blamed for things he didn’t do,” Commissioner Dusty Leatherwood said.

“K.C. works his tail off there. And I don’t dislike OVG 360,” Commissioner Brad Bender said.

“K.C. cares about this place,” Thornton said.

“I think we can do better. I think K.C. can do better,” Leatherwood added.

Much of the Commission’s other business at Tuesday’s specially called meeting dealt with more routine matters:

n In a proclamation, commissioners declared Thursday as “Blue Day” in Curry County celebrating Zia Elementary School being named as a “National Blue Ribbon School.”

As a “Blue Day,” area residents are encouraged to wear blue that day.

• Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution of support for the General Obligation Bond 3 on the Nov. 5 ballot, which contains $2 million for Clovis Community College if voters approve the measure.

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