Distance Education Programs at the University of New Mexico reaches across the state to embrace students who want to earn a UNM degree while remaining in their own communities to work and live. This semester, UNM’s San Juan Center in Farmington will hand diplomas to 11 students who earned a BS in elementary education. An additional seven will receive an MA in elementary/secondary education. One student completed the state licensure program for teachers and another earned a Bachelor of University Studies.
“UNM is very fortunate to be able to invest in upper division and graduate programs at our branches and other community colleges in New Mexico. This start to finish, close to home model is critical for students who want to graduate from UNM but for many reasons cannot relocate to attend main campus,” said Jerónimo Domínguez, vice provost, UNM Distance Education Programs.
Viola Florez, dean, UNM College of Education, said, “Access is really critical. Some simply can’t come to main campus. Our challenge has been to provide access to students and excellent programs.”
Florez said that through UNM Distance Education Programs they can deliver Web-based programs, instructional television, two-way videoconferencing, or hybrid courses where students are sometimes physically present, sometimes attending online.
She said that the College of Education has core faculty at San Juan, Gallup and Valencia, and is looking to hire some for Taos. Some faculty from main campus travel back and forth, she said.
This semester, at UNM Gallup Bachelor and Graduate Programs, seven students will earn a BS in early childhood multicultural education; 10 will receive a BS in elementary education; six will complete post-BA education; three will earn a BBA; 21 will receive their BUS; and 28 a master’s in education.
“The education programs at Gallup include many Native American students. We are focused on excellence, giving them what they need, so that in turn they can build successful K-12 programs,” Florez said.
Distance ed at UNM-Taos will graduate 17 undergraduates and four graduates this spring. Mario Suazo, academic advisor for the program at UNM-Taos, received an email from Rona Ortega, who is completing her BUS degree this spring.
She wrote, “I just wanted to say that I really appreciate UNM Taos, You have made it possible for me to attend college while working a full time job. By having you in Taos, I did not have to relocate to finish my degree. I was able to take classes here in Taos via ITV, and Web CT. This degree will help me to keep my job while also earning more money.”
One student, Erik Litzenberg, is graduating this spring from UNM Santa Fe, with a master’s in public administration. Three others will graduate this summer. An additional three BUS graduates will complete their degrees in Santa Fe this spring.
“They are our students, whether they are in Gallup, San Juan or Santa Fe. They earn UNM degrees. They are connected to us and we are proud of those programs,” Florez said.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu