New Mexico

Southeast New Mexico is investing in you

Published

3 months ago

February 22, 2024

Kevin Beardmore
| President, Southeast New Mexico College

Southeast New Mexico College recently participated with other community colleges in the state in an economic impact study conducted by Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics. Given the sheer amount of data that must be included, such studies are always a couple years in arrears. The year chosen was 2021-2022, which happens to be when New Mexico State University – Carlsbad became SENMC. While that complicated the process somewhat, we knew it would provide a baseline look at the college upon its founding.

Even in that roller coaster of a year, the results were still impressive. Based on historical data, SENMC students will see an average 20.9% annual return on the funds they spend on their education. This is a stunning figure when you compare it to the 9.6% average annual return over the past 30 years for the U.S. stock market. The low tuition at SENMC, high state support for scholarships, and programs focused on the success of our graduates make for an incredible investment.

The benefits do not stop there. For every $1 spent on the college, the community gains $4.50 in added income and social savings. This results in a total annual impact of $60.3 million for Eddy County, with 599 jobs supported each year. The report notes that this annual economic boost is essentially equivalent to hosting the Major League Baseball World Series, buying 90 new vehicles, and purchasing a year’s worth of groceries for 139 families—combined.

This is all before the move to complete independence was truly gaining traction. At that time, there were services for students, faculty, and staff that were still provided by the New Mexico State University Main Campus. This meant that dollars were being expended on employees in Las Cruces, leading to those funds being put into circulation there. Today that local funding does not flow to a city more than three hours away. It remains here, which means that if the study was completed today, the impact would be even more significant.

In addition, we are deep in the design phase of our Trades x Technologies Building. When construction begins next year, we will see the infusion of construction wages into our region. This will be followed by academic programs in Electrical, Oil and Gas, and Radiation Control, which will enhance the skill sets of employees, both current and future, and establish a base for further economic growth in the coming decades.

The difference in an individual student’s life, however, is arguably more noteworthy. The average associate degree graduate from SENMC will see an increase in earnings of $11,600 each year in their career as compared to someone with a high school diploma. Quality of life generally increases with more education because of the increase in salary, better health outcomes, and the pride that comes with academic achievement.

The change that occurs in one’s life due to education reverberates through the generations. Yes, the dollars and cents matter. Reports such as the one from Lightcast make the case for the importance of our college in the community. But you cannot place a price on a new perspective or an increased thirst for knowledge and excellence. To see the world with new eyes and live a life that is a voyage of discovery, to loosely paraphrase Marcel Proust, is beyond material and temporal value.

The faculty and staff of Southeast New Mexico College live to create such an experience for our students. If you or someone you know are seeking to become more, we hope you will join us for a journey of a lifetime.

Kevin Beardmore may be reached at kbeardmore@senmc.edu or 575.234.9211.

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New Mexico

Eastern Florida State Men's Golf Places 14th at National Tournament in New Mexico – Space Coast Daily

Published

3 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Press Room

Eastern Florida State Men's Golf Places 14th at National Tournament in New Mexico – Space Coast Daily

Titans shot a 293 in the final round

The Eastern Florida State College men’s golf team finished 14th overall at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament Friday in Hobbs, New Mexico. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Eastern Florida State College men’s golf team finished 14th overall at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament Friday in Hobbs, New Mexico.

The Titans shot a 293 in the final round, moving up one spot on the final day.

Freshman Masen McKain shot a 2-under 69 in the final round, posting an eagle on the 18th hole to finish the round. It marks the fourth straight round that the Titans have posted an eagle and McKain had an eagle in each of the past two rounds on different holes.

He finished the tournament 5 over and is tied for 33rd overall.

Adam Vermut shot a 3-over 74 and tied for 40th overall while Bryan Hernandez and Hugo Griesheimer each shot 75s. Nick Miller finished with a 78.

“Good closing round by Masen but a struggle all week for the team. They scrapped and hung in there each day, but we never had a good run turn into a good round,” Eastern Florida State College men’s golf coach Jamie Howell said.

“Rockwind Links is a good test of golf and an excellent venue for a national championship. Our returning players, Masen and Hugo can take away plenty of information to share with next year’s teammates. For Adam, Nick, and Bryan, they do the same for their college of transfer.”

New Mexico Junior College won the tournament, shooting a 272 in the final round to top Odessa College.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

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New Mexico

7 Most Inviting Towns in New Mexico

Published

11 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

When you travel, one of the best feelings is going to a warm and welcoming town. While you know a welcoming town when you experience one, it’s harder to define what makes a place inviting. A combination of vibrant culture, history, natural places, and passionate people all contribute to making a town inviting. In New Mexico, this is what the most welcoming towns have in common. Madrid, for example, has a vibrant community with art galleries and a rich history. Jemez Springs invites people to the natural scenery and famous hot springs. These are only a few of the most inviting towns in New Mexico. Here, we will explore New Mexico’s seven most inviting towns.

Madrid

Street scene in Madrid, New Mexico. Historic Turquoise Trail and Route 66.

One of the most welcoming towns in New Mexico is Madrid. The small town has under 300 residents, but despite its small size, there is a vibrant community. Madrid is well known as a funky, artistic community in the narrow canyon of the Ortiz Mountains. There are many art galleries, shops, boutiques and museums throughout the town. One of the best galleries in town is the Johnsons of Madrid Galleries which features the work of Mel Johnson plus 100 other local artists.

While Madrid is a thriving art community today, the town wasn’t always this way. In fact, Madrid used to be a mining town. However, when the coal market collapsed, the town became a ghost town. In the 60s and ’70s hippies and artists settled in the community, making the warm, vibrant community that exists today. The Madrid Old Coal Town Museum, explains more about the town’s history.

Corrales

Corrales, New Mexico, is a bigger town than Madrid, with a population of around 9,000. However, Corrales still maintains its inviting rural, small-town atmosphere. The area has agricultural heritage, and the community celebrates all things local. Many people in the town live a rural lifestyle. There are many farms selling fruits and vegetables available at the local Growers Market. There are farms to visit to grab local produce and goods as well. For example, Heidi’s Raspberry Farm sells an assortment of jams using USDA Certified Organic Raspberries.

There are also historic buildings in Corrales giving an idea of what life was like in the old town. The Casa San Ysidro is a restoration of an adobe home built in the 1870s. The town has festivals throughout the year that celebrate the community and local culture. Some of the festivals include the Garden Tour, Corrales Art Studio Tour, the Harvest Festival, the Scarecrow Festival, and the Starlight Parade.

Jemez Springs

A small town that shows off the inviting charm of New Mexico’s outdoors is Jemez Springs. The town is north of Albuquerque along the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway. People have been traveling to the area since the 1800s to experience the nurturing hot springs. There are natural hot springs to enjoy as well as secluded, more luxurious hot springs. The Jemez Springs Bath House offers cool or hot mineral soaks and healing massages. Some of the natural hot springs to enjoy outdoors include McCauley Warm Springs, Spence Hot Springs, and San Antonio Hot Springs. Beyond the hot springs, there is a lot of natural beauty to enjoy in the town, including the wilderness of the Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera Preserve. Fenton Lake State Park is a local camping spot with the backdrop of the Jemez Mountains. The beautiful scenery in Jemez Springs invites people to unplug and connect to nature and the community.

Tucumcari

Tucumcari is a small town that invites you with nostalgia. Home to murals, roadside motels, diners, and museums, Tucumcari is one of the most interesting towns to explore. The town even has its own drive-in movie theater, Foxy Drive-In, which first opened in 1956. Walk around town and enjoy the small business that invites you in with its historic charm.

To learn more about the town’s history, visit the Tucumcari Historical Museum. There is also the Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum. This museum has the world’s largest collection of full-scale bronze dinosaur skeletons. Tucumcari also has colorful murals around town, including one of the world’s largest murals devoted to Route 66 in the United States.

Santa Rosa

The Blue Hole is a famous deep pool with clear blue water and hidden underwater caves proper for scuba diving. Editorial credit: rawf8 / Shutterstock.com

Situated on the Pecos River is the beautiful town of Santa Rosa. Full of picturesque stone buildings in the historic district, Santa Rosa invites people to relax and enjoy the scenery. There are many recreational trails around town, making for a friendly, outgoing community atmosphere. Santa Rosa’s claim to fame is the Blue Hole. The natural artesian spring is 81 feet deep and is a popular spot to scuba dive. The Blue Hole has earned Santa Rosa the title of the “Scuba Diving Capital of the Southwest.”

Above all, Santa Rosa values community. Some of the local businesses have been around for decades, such as Silver Moon Cafe. The restaurant is a local staple and first opened in 1959. Today, it is well known for its signature New Mexican dishes and American favorites.

Raton

Similar to other towns on this list, Raton is a small town in New Mexico known for its outdoor scenery. Situated in the Rocky Mountains, Raton is the highest point on the Historic Santa Fe Trail. Around town, there are dazzling views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Around Raton there are many opportunities to explore and enjoy nature. Sugarite Canyon State Park is near town and is great spot to enjoy some hiking.

While Raton is a small town with a population of under 6,000 people, the people are proud of their heritage. This shows in the local cuisine. Many local restaurants make use of the green Chile and unique regional cuisine. Overall, the relaxed way of life in Raton makes it an inviting town to explore.

Mountainair

The small town of Mountainair in New Mexico has a welcoming vibe combined with stunning scenery. The charming town has historic ruins, art galleries, charming shops, forest trails, horseback riding, mountains, and hiking trails to explore. Historic sites in town merge the past with the present. There are three major historic sites that attract historians and visitors every year to the town. The Ancient Cities of Mountainair are Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira. The community also hosts festivals throughout the year, including the annual Sunflower Festival in August.

All the towns on this list are warm and welcoming places to go. Whether you are looking to plan a road trip or move to a new town, these small towns in New Mexico would make a great destination. After visiting any of these small towns, you will want to call them home after only a few days. The vibrant culture, history, local businesses, and nature make for an inviting atmosphere.

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New Mexico

NM Gameday: May 17

Published

18 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

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