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A Proud Legacy: Three Hernandez Generations
FEATURE
A Proud Legacy: Three Hernandez Generations Santa Fe native Dr. Joe Hernandez did more than help found Santa Fe Community College, he founded a legacy. Today, three generations of the Hernandez family lay a claim to the college, having been a part of the institution as students, supporters and proud alumni. For the Hernandez family, education had always been of the highest importance, and it’s what led Joe to support the creation of SFCC. He then became one of its founding board members in 1983, and served on the board for 18 years. “All his life, he was always supportive of and very active in the school,” says Teresa Hernandez, one of Joe’s children. “He really valued education, and wanted all of his kids and grandkids to go to college. Although his health was declining, he was taking candy-making classes at SFCC, even though he was going through chemotherapy. That’s the kind of man he was,” she said. Joe Hernandez passed away in 2006. As a single mother of five children, Joe’s eldest daughter Teresa knows what it’s like to make tough decisions. For some, just making sure food is on the table can make goals like higher education seem out of reach. But for Teresa, sacrificing her children’s education was never an option. Joe passed on his love of education to Teresa. After she graduated from St. Michaels High School, she married and left the state. Several years later she returned to Santa Fe, now single and needing to provide for her family. Teresa turned to SFCC in order to start a new career, earning her teaching credentials through New Mexico Highlands University, and soon found work as a teacher. But things took a downward
Dr. Joe Hernandez, far right, helps cut the ribbon on the first building on the SFCC campus. Founding President Bill Witter is pictured third from right. More than 30 years later, members of the Hernandez family continue to play an active part in the life of the college.
“Higher education was really important to me,” she emphasized. “SFCC was so helpful – it’s such a great resource. Without SFCC, I wouldn’t have been able to send my kids to school, I just didn’t have the means,” she said, adding that she didn’t want her children to accumulate student loans. But it was more than just practical concerns, says Teresa. “SFCC offers so many great classes outside of whatever it is you’re studying. One of my daughters went to UNM for a while, but would still take art classes at SFCC.”
T H E S C H O O L H E H E L P E D C R E AT E H A S H E L P E D H I S FA M I LY, A N D M A N Y L I K E T H E M , T O A C H I E V E T H E G O A L O F H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N . turn when her mother fell ill, and Teresa had to abandon her new career to become a full-time caretaker. “That was a difficult time,” Teresa says. After her mother was moved into a care facility, Teresa’s teaching credentials had expired so she didn’t go back to teaching. With five college age children, grandchildren on the way and no job, Teresa was in a tough spot. But she didn’t give up. She kept pushing her children and herself, and SFCC would again play an important role for her family. 2
All of Teresa’s five children have been SFCC students. Her oldest, Rebecca, earned a nursing degree and quickly found work at Christus St. Vincent Hospital. Veronica, Teresa’s second oldest, is currently enrolled in SFCC’s writing program. “Veronica won the student writing award in 2013, and wants to get her degree in creative writing. “My sons, Steve and Andrew, have been exploring what the school has to offer, and what kind of work they might be interested in when they graduate. Right now they’re focused on
the film program,” says Teresa. “And my third son, Matthew, is studying early childhood education. When he was at Santa Fe High he worked with disabled students and did home health care, so he’s known what he wants to do for a long time.” “SFCC makes education so much more attainable. You don’t have to leave town, you can take as many classes as you want, it’s nearby, and you’ll see people you know there all the time,” she says. Teresa is also excited by the recent growth of the school. “The school has been built up a lot since I first attended in 2000, especially the sustainable energy part of the campus. SFCC keeps expanding in good ways. It’s great to see.”
Aware of her family’s educational successes, Teresa decided it was time for her to pursue a new career path, this time in nursing. “My sister Barbara and my daughter Rebecca both went through SFCC’s nursing program, and they love their jobs. So I started looking into it and it seemed like a really interesting career,” she said, noting that she is applying to the program. Today, Teresa has not only recovered from setbacks; she has been able to help fulfill her father’s wish to send all his children and grandchildren to college. The school he helped create has helped his family, and many like them, to achieve the goal of higher education. That’s a legacy his whole family can be proud of.
SFCC FOUNDATION UPDATE
Dear Friends of SFCC:
Communications and Outreach, chaired by Ken Dettelbach. Under the visionary leadership of Rick Abeles, Board members have volunteered, worked on committees, made contributions, raised scholarship funds, called donors, and more.
The Santa Fe Community College Foundation is celebrating its most successful year. We could not have reached our goals without your commitment. Thank you.
•U nder the Leadership of SFCC Governing Board Chair Linda Siegle, the Board increased its partnership with the Foundation, participating in strategic planning and fundraising initiatives.
I would like to share some highlights:
• We expanded outreach to potential donors. For example, the Wednesday Series with the President provides an opportunity for friends and donors to meet with President Randy Grissom over lunch prepared by Culinary Arts students, followed by a campus tour. Another example is Amigos de SFCC Foundation which is exploring ways to inform and educate college supporters.
• Through the efforts of Brindle Foundation, a significant gift of $650,000 will help fund an Early Childhood Center of Excellence at SFCC. • The SFCC Foundation Board of Directors welcomed seven new members: Ken Dettelbach, J.S., President, Gateway Marketing, LLC; Dr. Carmen Gonzales, SFCC’s Vice President for Student Success; Fred Nugent, J.D.; Linda Vega, District Manager, Wells Fargo; and Sharon Woods, President, Woods Design Builders. Joining the Foundation Board as SFCC Governing Board Representatives are Dr. Martha Romero and Pablo Sedillo. The Board also established two new committees: Leadership and Board Development, chaired by former Governing Board member Carole Brito, and
• A Scholarship Luncheon Thanks and Inspiration provided donors the opportunity to meet scholarship recipients. We appreciate our sponsors Wells Fargo, LANL Foundation, The Firebird, Coronado Paint and Swiss Bakery. • The Strengthening Community by Honoring Service Luncheon celebrated active duty U.S. Navy Commanders and Sailors from our state’s namesake Navy Submarines: the USS Santa Fe,
Kids Campus will become a Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Education with the help of a major gift from the Brindle Foundation.
the USS Albuquerque, and the USS New Mexico. Thanks to assistance from SFCC’s Veteran’s Resource Center and Los Alamos National Laboratory/Los Alamos National Security, LLC. The impact of these achievements is far reaching, and much appreciated. With your support the SFCC Foundation will continue to help the college empower students and strengthen community. ¡Mil gracias a todos! Sincerely,
Deborah Boldt Executive Director deborah.boldt@sfcc.edu 505-428-1704 3
Grand Opening n o i t a r b e l Ce 5 01
2 Jan. 14,
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STUDENT PROFILE
Not Your Average Dropout
SFCC’s I-Best Program Launches Healthcare Careers Precious Moya-Mier is not your average high school dropout. During her senior year at Monte del Sol Charter school, her grandfather, Marin, fell ill. Her parents and their siblings were too busy with full-time jobs to devote the attention Marin needed, so Precious made the decision to leave school to become his primary caregiver. Although she was very close to earning her diploma and had always excelled in the classroom, she felt it was her duty to put family above her own future. 4
Precious took a morning job at Baja Tacos, and devoted her afternoons and evenings to her grandfather: feeding him, keeping him company, providing medication and taking him to doctors’ appointments. Despite being devastated and feeling lost when he passed away last year, Precious took on two more retail jobs to help her family pay the bills. After the experience of caring for her grandfather, however, she decided her future career was in healthcare. She just had to wait for the right opportunity.
MILESTONES
At left, Dr. Tina Ludutsky-Taylor and former SFCC President Dr. Sheila Ortego with HEC Architect Matt McKim. At right, a crowd of about 300 celebrate the opening. Lower left: IAIA President Dr. Robert Martin and Higher Education Secretary-Designate Dr. Barbara Damron. Lower right: Highlands University President Dr. James Fries laughs with former SFCC Board member Bruce Besser.
Opposite Page: Cutting the ribbon at the HEC are, L-R: IAIA President Dr. Robert Martin, SFCC Board Secretary Kathy Keith, President Randy Grissom, Learning Center District Board President Chris Abeyta, Board member Dr. Martha Romero, Board member Pablo Sedillo, Board Chair Linda Siegle and Highlands University President Dr. James Fries.
That opportunity came one Saturday morning while Precious was grocery shopping. She received a phone call from unknown number. The stranger on the other end said that he worked in the I-BEST program at Santa Fe Community College, and that he had found her name on a list of students who were in need of a GED. I-BEST stands for Integrating Basic Education and Skills Training. I-BEST, he told her, gave students the opportunity to develop the basic math, reading, writing and computer skills needed to pass the GED exam and prepare for college. In addition, students develop the skills and earn the credentials required to become a Home Health Aide or a Certified Nursing Assistant. Precious was so excited by the idea of achieving two of her goals in one program that she drove straight to the college to sign up. The best news was that the program would cost her nothing. The teachers in the I-BEST program found a way to fund her tuition, her textbooks, and even her scrubs and medical supplies.
“When I got the call I could hardly believe it. But it turned out to be true,” Precious says. “I left two of my jobs to have enough time for class and homework. The I-BEST teachers even helped me in my job search with a resume workshop and a career fair. I’ve recently been offered a job at a nearby care center. This program has turned my life around. I believe in I-BEST.” Precious recently completed her GED and earned a certificate in Home Health Aid. I-BEST is funded through a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Labor known as TAACCT (Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training). For more information, contact Anthony Eagan, I-BEST Coordinator at 505-428-1140 or anthony.eagan@sfcc.edu.
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NOTEWORTHY Santa Fe Community College is the state’s lead institution on a nearly $15 million U.S. Department of Labor grant aimed at putting more New Mexicans to work in healthcare careers. Known as a TAACCCT grant, for Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training, the funds will be distributed among 11 of the state’s community colleges to provide education and training directly to the state’s unemployed or under-employed workers. Last October, Fashion Design students visited New York and the famous Garment District and Trade Mart in Manhattan. Photographed on the rooftop patio of Amazon.com’s fashion photography studio are, l to r: Patricia Padilla, Angelina Chavez, Elizabeth Dulanto, Melissa Dulanto, Anne Marie “Rie” Coughlin, Rachel Estes, Fashion Design Lead Instructor Ezra Estes, Melissa Lea, Violet Ahmie, Justin Big Hair, Tammy Montoya and Leah Casados-Herrera. In November 2014, Sustainable Technologies Biofuels Students participated in NM-EPSCoR’s Academy of Science Research Symposium, held at the Albuquerque Hyatt Regency. Francisco Whitson-Brown and Nadia Mabrouk Mujynya, won cash awards in the poster competition. EPSCoR stands for Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. Through Energize New Mexico, EPSCoR is investing in research aimed at overcoming the challenges of developing algal biomass in a desert environment where water is precious. Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales held a press conference at Kids Campus in August to announce the creation of a new Children, Youth and Families Community Cabinet. The partnership is a first for Santa Fe and includes Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joel Boyd, SFCC President Randy Grissom and many other community partners. The initiative will unite and target resources, funding and ideas to improve the alignment of services and programs inside and outside Santa Fe classrooms. In December, SFCC was host to U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich’s Quality of Life Initiative Symposium: Education, Engagement, Empowerment, Equity, part of a series of listening sessions and community meetings to focus on improvements to Santa Fe’s south side. Senator Heinrich was joined by local leaders, including Santa Fe City Councilors Carmichael Dominguez and Chris Rivera, and health, education, food access, transportation, and youth and teen service advocates.
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Margaret Peters has been named Vice President for Academic Affairs. Ms. Peters began teaching at SFCC as an adjunct faculty member in 1996. Since then, she has served as Dean of the Schools of Liberal Arts and of Arts, Design, and Media Arts and as Interim Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Core Studies. Ms. Peters taught at Blinn College, Harvey Mudd College and the University of LaVerne. She holds a B.A. in English from Texas A&M University and an M.A. in English from Claremont Graduate University in California. Nick Telles has joined SFCC as Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer. He was previously the Finance Director for Valencia County. He served as Senior Leadership/Fiscal Analyst for the Senate Majority Leadership Office and as Analyst for the Senate Education Committee and has extensive experience with New Mexico and federal finance oversight. He holds an MBA and a BBA with a concentration in Financial Management, both from UNM’s Anderson Graduate School of Management. SFCC welcomes Daniel D. Gutierrez as Executive Director of Human Relations. Daniel is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources, and is certified in leadership as a Zenger Miler Master Trainer and an Achieve Global Master Trainer. Daniel was most recently the Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs and Human Resources at the University of Texas-Pan American. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of Human Resources and Professional Development at Richland College in Dallas. He holds a human resource management certificate from George Mason University, a human resource professional development program certificate from the University of Dallas Graduate School of Management and a BBA in Human Resources Management and General Management from New Mexico State University.
KUDOS We’ve Gone Solar! The college’s 1.5-megawatt solar photovoltaic array with 2,000 solar panels on five acres began fueling SFCC this fall, and is the largest non-utility array in the state. While the panels are busy converting the sunlight into electricity, they also serve as teaching tools for SFCC Rick Abeles, SFCC Foundation president, and Mauricio students.
Ibarra Ponce de León, consul of Mexico in Albuquerque, meet during the campus announcement of the IME BECAS Scholarship award for this year.
Library Director Peg Johnson was named the Academic Librarian of the Year by the New Mexico Consortium of Academic Libraries. The award recognizes the contributions of a member who has demonstrated significant accomplishments in academic librarianship. The nonprofit organization Adobe in Action donated 200 adobe bricks to the college’s Adobe Construction program. Students built a garden wall out of sun-dried natural adobe and earthen mortar. After completion, the wall was taken apart as a lesson in the complete recyclability of natural earthen building materials.
In October, Military Times Magazine named SFCC “#1 Best for Vets” in the nation among career and technical colleges. Schools were evaluated on their culture, student support, academic policies, academic quality and financial considerations and whether they were on board with recent federal initiatives related to military education. Schools that are successful at supporting veteran students provide service members with training to convert military job experience into successful careers, among other forms of support.
Through a partnership with the SFCC Foundation, the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has awarded SFCC an Institute for Mexicans Abroad Becas scholarship to benefit Mexican-American and Mexican students with financial need. The IME-Becas Scholarship is designed to raise the educational level of Mexican-American and Mexican students to advance the culture and economy of Mexico. Awards are made to low-income Mexican or Mexican-American students who require financial aid to begin, continue or complete their studies, from basic education to the professional level or for undergraduate or graduate programs. The scholarship requires that students identify, design and implement a community service project while also completing their educational studies. Last fall, student recipients of the IME BECAS scholarship attended an award ceremony at UNM. The SFCC Foundation has doubled last year’s scholarship amount – then matched it – for a total of $40,000. All of these programs have contributed to increased success among SFCC’s Mexican or Mexican origin students. Environmental Safety & Health Instructor Janet Kerley has been appointed to the American Society of Safety Engineers Committee to develop criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health and Environmental Training. SFCC’s Environmental Health and Safety Training program performs on-site evaluation of a company’s adherence to federal and state employee training requirements (OSHA, EPA, DOT) and helps bring facilities into compliance. 7
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