certificates in home health/nursing aide, dental assisting, expanded functional dental auxillary, medical assistant, paramedicine, phlebotomy and emergency medical technician (basic and intermediate).
“WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST AND BESTEQUIPPED SIMULATION CENTERS IN THE REGION, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.” – Jenny Landen, Dean of Science, Health, Engineering and Math Director of Nursing and Allied Health Susan Winter says students interested in health care as a career have plenty of options in addition to nursing. Many are pursuing a second career or returning to school so they can upgrade their skills and obtain certifications. For example, Archuleta first got a certificate in phlebotomy. She worked for three years as phlebotomist before returning in 2013 to study nursing. Archuleta notes how valuable SFCC’s clinical experiences are. She’s mostly worked on the general hospital floor, but also had rotations in the emergency room and the intensive care unit. With her well-rounded experience and education, she is bound to move swiftly to the top of her profession — something both she and SFCC will take pride in for years to come.
“Rad” Tech
Training for Good-Paying Health Care Jobs Bailey Benton, 20, was thrilled when SFCC’s Radiologic Technology Program began this spring. “I had a family friend when I was ten who was studying about X-rays and we’d talk about it. I’ve been interested since then.” Radiologic technologists are health care professionals who perform diagnostic imaging procedures. The new program was created in response to a growing demand for this specialized training in northern New Mexico. The U.S. Department of Labor projects a job growth of 21 percent between 2012-2022 with a median annual wage of $54,000. An associate degree in Radiologic Technology is a prerequisite for those interested in further training in imaging. Once Benton completes her degree at SFCC, she plans to go on to advanced study. “I’m interested in getting training in work with MRI or CAT scans,” she said. “I’ve been intrigued with learning about post-mortem CAT scans for criminal cases where an autopsy can’t be done.” To learn more about the program, contact Interim Director of Radiologic Technology Michael Frain at 505-428-1649 or michael.frain@sfcc.edu.
DREAMer’s Aspirations Motivate Her Success “I learned a lot from Ernest Kavanaugh (Director of Student Development) when I was a student ambassador,” she says. She became the student body president in 2009 and was involved in many social causes. “There are so many to thank, but Rebecca Estrada (Executive Director of the Higher Education Center and Academic Partnerships), Dr. Meredith Machen (former administrator, now retired) and Letty Naranjo (Director of Adult Education) were champions for me,” she says.
Alumna Cindy Nava is proud to be known as DREAMer*, but she also considers herself a “Doer,” who is not just concerned about her own dreams, but passionate about helping others achieve their dreams. She is focusing her passion in the political arena. “I want to be a voice for those who don’t have one,” she explains. As a DREAMer, Nava became the first undocumented immigrant to serve as an intern for the Democratic National Committee Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Nava’s parents immigrated to the U.S. when she was a child, and she currently awaits the approval of her legal status. The talented 27-year-old, who was called a national rising Latina political star by the Huffington Post, says her love of politics and her leadership skills were developed while she was a student at SFCC.
Cindy Nava met U.S. Secretary of Housing Julián Castro when she received the Rising Star Award from the New Mexico Democratic Party.
While she enjoyed her experience in D.C., Nava says her “heart is in New Mexico where she would love to serve the people of the state.” Her first state legislative internship was with former N.M. Sen. Cynthia Nava, D-Las Cruces. “Everyone assumed I was related. I’m not, but Continued on page 4
* DREAMer: immigrants in the United States who might be, or might become, eligible for the Obama Administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Initiative.
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