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Although New Mexico Highlands University's Raton site has been open for less than
a year, the university's presence has made a profound impact on access to higher
education in the region. Approximately 45 students enrolled at Highlands-Raton last
summer, and officials expect increased enrollment for the fall semester.
The students, from left to right are: Roni Duran, Leroy Sandoval, Diana Vallejos,
Sara Thomason, Megan Lawrence, Margaret Serna, Amanda Mehn, Thelma Lou Martinez, Lisa
Lopez-Marquez, Jamie Atwater and Michael Phillips
"New Mexico
Highlands' presence in Raton marks a new era of possibilities for the university,
the Raton area, and for every student who walks through our doors," said Highlands
President Jim Fries. When it opened, New Mexico Highlands' Raton site began offering
master's degree coursework in education and business, and bachelor's degree coursework
in criminal justice, elementary education and business. Soon, New Mexico Highlands
will expand its programs in Raton to include master's and bachelor's degrees in
social work. "Students can start in Raton as freshmen and complete their degree
without traveling to the main campus in Las Vegas," said Evonne Roybal-Tafoya, director
of Highlands' Educational Outreach Services. "For non-traditional students, our
classes are designed to be offered during the evenings and weekends so they can
work and go to school."
 New Mexico Highlands' expansion into Raton was made possible
through a partnership with the Northeastern New Mexico Education Foundation, also
known as the Learning Center, which gifted the foundation's 8,000-square-foot building
at 130 Park Avenue in Raton and provided funding of approximately $259,000 to the
university. "I'm really excited about Highlands coming to Raton," said John P. Davidson,
who helped form the education foundation. "This is precisely what we've been working
toward for almost 15 years."
Currently, New Mexico Highlands serves approximately
3,500 undergraduate and graduate students at its main campus in Las Vegas and centers
in Santa Fe/Espaņola, Farmington, Rio Rancho/Albuquerque and Roswell. For more information
regarding courses in Raton, contact Vincent C. Garcia at (575)445-0445.
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New Mexico
Highlands University
130 Park Avenue
Raton, NM
(575) 445-0445
www.nmhu.edu |
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