Luminaria Newsletter - Issue 1 by UNM Gallup

Luminaria

Lobos research antimicrobial therapy and present findings at undergrad conference

Four students from The University of New Mexico-Gallup earned the rare opportunity to conduct undergraduate research in their microbiology class and present their findings at an annual UNM conference.

UNM-Gallup students Arleth Arreguin, Jordan Belmont, Chalanie Davis and Angelina Romero participated in the 2024 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Conference (UROC) in Albuquerque on April 12, 2024. The professional research conference is reserved solely for undergraduates to spotlight their research, explain their ideas and display what they have to offer in their respective fields and majors.

“I was hesitant at first hearing about this opportunity because I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Belmont, who is working toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “But I was able to sit and talk with a few classmates and the professor about the opportunity this presents. Not only do you get to take part in very important research, but you also learn the skills of how to gather this information, how to apply it and how to network. I really enjoyed that at main campus.”

THINK LIKE A SCIENTIST

The research opportunity for these students came about in UNM-Gallup Associate Professor Dr. Arunachalam Muthaiyan’s microbiology for health sciences class. Muthaiyan has been able to introduce research components into his regular classes thanks to an Expanding Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (ECURE) project.

The project is a National Science Foundation-funded grant

designed to leverage UNM’s research mission to enrich undergraduate education in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) general education and portal courses. It is led and supported by Academic Affairs, the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Division of Equity and Inclusion, and the Office of Student Affairs.

While research is a key component of UNM’s mission, Muthaiyan said it’s difficult for branch campus students to gain that type of experience due to limited time and resources. However, the ECURE grant and UNM’s annual research conference are making those opportunities more accessible for Gallup students like Arreguin, Belmont, Davis, and Romero.

“The main goal was to give them self-confidence and learn how to present and how to think like a scientist,” Muthaiyan said.

“Participating in ECURE research enhances students’ comprehension of lecture topics, provides insights into research, boosts their confidence and interest in pursuing higher education, and prepares them for future research in their academic or professional careers.”

UNM is designated as an R1

university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning, which means it has been identified as a doctoral university with very high levels of research activity. UNM is the only university in New Mexico with this prestigious designation.

RESEARCH & PRESENTING

In Muthaiyan’s class, students explored essential oils as alternatives for antimicrobial therapy. In other words, they researched how certain essential oils can kill or slow the growth of bacteria, particularly when trying to prevent wound infections.

They tested three kinds of plant-based essential oils — lem-

ongrass, thyme, and orange — to see if they could help kill bacteria.

“I was pretty surprised when we did the research,” said Romero, who wants to study nursing. “I kind of went down a rabbit hole and noticed how much essential oils were actually used in face cleansers or lotions or soap to get rid of bacteria.”

While the research in class was required for all of Muthaiyan’s students, the presentation of a poster at the UNM undergrad conference was optional. Arreguin, Belmont, Davis and Romero all volunteered to give it a shot.

The students described the conference atmosphere as being similar to a science fair — everyone had their presentation posters set up on tables. This year’s conference featured 152 abstracts and 184 students.

Muthaiyan commended the students for their excellent work throughout the research process and their presentations at the conference.

“I’m so happy for them because they showed what we do at our Gallup campus and our capacity and ability,” Muthaiyan said. “I’m very proud of them and thankful for their involvement.”

Photos by Dr. Arunachalam Muthaiyan, UNM-Gallup

From left, UNM-Gallup students Chalanie Davis, Angelina Romero, Arleth Arreguin and Jordan Belmont pose for a photo at The University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque on April 12, 2024.

UNM-Gallup students Jordan Belmont, left, and Arleth Arreguin present their research findings during the UROC at The University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque on April 12, 2024.

UNM-Gallup students Chalanie Davis, left, and Angelina Romero present their research findings during the UROC at The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque on April 12, 2024.

Chancellor’s Corner

Building success: UNM-G’s Strategic Plan and new Native American Student Center

Dear Gallup Community,

We’re thrilled to announce that a new chapter is beginning for your community college, The University of New Mexico-Gallup.

An exciting initiative starting this fall is our Native American Student Success Center.

GOAL 1: STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION

This focus area will strengthen UNM-Gallup’s ability to attract new students and meet the needs, goals, and aspirations of dynamic undergraduates from all backgrounds.

vates a sense of belonging and empowers UNM-Gallup students and employees to celebrate their diverse backgrounds and help them understand how inclusive excellence can add value to their lives and their communities.

Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell

UNM-Gallup is a Native American Serving Non-Tribal institution, which qualified the college for a generous $3 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education for a five-year period.

This wonderful student resource helps to create a sense of belonging for Native American students; provides mentoring, academic advisement and tutoring; and connects students with necessary community resources to ensure college retention and program completion.

In other exciting news, our strategic plan, a roadmap to guide us toward a brighter future, is now finalized. This comprehensive plan outlines our goals and objectives for the coming years.

Over the past months, we’ve collaborated with students, faculty, staff, and community members to develop a plan that reflects our shared vision. Together, we’ve identified the following key areas where we can make a significant impact:

Legislators

State lawmakers praised the continued growth of The University of New Mexico-Gallup after the chancellor delivered updates about the branch campus to the New Mexico Legislature’s Interim Indian Affairs Committee on Aug. 2, 2024.

The committee had a three-day meeting in the northwest corner of the state, ending at UNM-Gallup’s Student Services & Technology Center. This is the second year in a row that UNM-Gallup has hosted a meeting of the Interim Indian Affairs Committee.

“I’m happy to be hosting your meeting today,” Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell said. “It’s really nice to see all of you again. UNM-Gallup has a lot of

The goal is to transform the educational experience by creating supportive, intellectually challenging, exciting, diverse, joyful learning environments both inside and outside of the classroom to ensure the lifelong success, upward social mobility, and engagement of all learners. Through education, our community college will contribute to the growth of Gallup and the northwest region of New Mexico.

GOAL 2: SUSTAINABILITY

This focus area will build stable and sustainable financial and organizational structures that help us fulfill our mission and serve our community, while the goal is to create long-term sustainability and ensure the necessary resources – human, financial, and physical – to achieve our aspirations.

GOAL 3: ONE CAMPUS

UNM-Gallup will strive to create a culture of belonging for everyone who visits our campus, with a goal to understand the needs and unique opportunities of our distinct cultures and peoples, economic enterprises, and communities.

GOAL 4: INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

This focus area will create a learning environment that culti-

The goal is to use an equity and inclusion lens to expand opportunity; cultivate the potential of students, faculty, and staff; and create new knowledge by leveraging our assets as a community college serving the people of Gallup and the surrounding area.

GOAL 5: ADVANCE OUR COMMUNITIES

UNM-Gallup will work to advance our communities by becoming an integral community partner with the greater Gallup-McKinley County region and neighboring Indigenous sovereign nations, with the continued goal to address critical issues and contribute to the quality of life, growth, and prosperity of our local community and region.

As we embark on this exciting journey, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of our community college. Stay tuned for more updates on the strategic plan and events associated with the Native American Student Success Center. There are many exciting days ahead.

Sincerely, Dr. Sabrina Ezzell UNM-Gallup Chancellor

praise, support UNM-Gallup’s growth

great things going on.”

Ezzell shared UNM-Gallup developments such as increased student enrollment, a career pathway partnership with the local school district, and more.

Legislators had the opportunity to ask questions, and some expressed their support for UNM-Gallup’s growth and success.

New Mexico state Rep. Patty Lundstrom, a Democrat who represents McKinley County, gave Ezzell high praise.

“Just for the benefit of the committee, I’d like to say that, from my experience, she has been the best director we’ve had here,” Lundstrom said of Ezzell. “And I say that wholeheartedly.”

During her presenta-

tion, Ezzell reported that student enrollment has increased at UNM-Gallup for the past three years.

At the time of the committee meeting, enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester was up 8% compared to the same time last year.

Ezzell expects to see continued growth thanks to a new collaboration with the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Pathways program.

Starting in the Fall 2024 semester, UNM-Gallup admitted 90 GMCS students into the health career pathway.

The pathway program is designed to give high schools students a jumpstart on their higher education journey in their field of interest. The health career pathway is

aimed at increasing the number of students who pursue careers as nurses, physicians and other positions in allied health care fields.

In the Fall 2025 semester, UNM-Gallup will admit more than 100 GMCS students into the media pathway. The following year, in the Fall 2026 semester, UNM-Gallup will admit 90 more students into the engineering pathway to increase the number of students pursuing careers in STEM fields.

“Thank you so much, chancellor, for your presentation,” Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero said. “It was very uplifting to hear about growth and expansion for the betterment of our students. That’s exactly what we aim for, so I appreciate that.”

Ralph Richards Chairman

Becky Apel Secretary

Christopher Vian Board Member

Jvanna Hanks Board Member

Raymond Calderon Vice Chairman

GO Bond 3 approval would give $4M

The University of New Mexico-Gallup will receive $4 million for the phase 3 renovation of Gurley Hall if voters approve New Mexico’s General Obligation Bond 3 for higher education during the 2024 General Election.

This fall, GO Bond 3 will ask voters to authorize the state to issue more than $230 million in bonds to fund public higher education institutions, special public schools and tribal schools. Approval of the bond would not raise taxes.

“GO bonds are a valuable tool for supporting essential public infrastructure projects, including building renovations at UNM-G,” UNM-Gallup Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell said.

WHAT IS A GO BOND?

GO bonds are the primary source of capital improvement funding for New Mexico’s higher education institutions. GO bonds come before voters every two years and are funded by property taxes.

New Mexico colleges, universities and specialty schools need GO bond funding to:

• Renovate and repair equipment and facilities.

• Replace old and outdated facilities that are past their useful lifespan and cannot meet current educational demands and safety standards.

• Keep up to date on technology to attract top students and faculty.

• Maintain the resources and

infrastructure needed to deliver quality online education to rural students.

If approved, this year’s GO Bond 3 would create nearly 2,300 new jobs and contribute to the economies of 29 communities in 23 counties across New Mexico.

Early voting began Oct. 8 and ends Nov. 2. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

TRANSFORMING FINE ARTS

With the approval of this year’s GO Bond 3, UNM-Gallup would receive $4 million to transform the fine arts department inside Gurley Hall into a safe and welcoming space to aid student success.

The project would renovate fine arts classrooms and spaces,

including studios for ceramics, painting, jewelry, drawing and other mediums.

Ezzell said the fine arts disciplines cannot be taught virtually like many other subjects. She said the specialized equipment and spaces required in jewelry, for example, make it necessary to have state of the art facilities to teach these skills on campus.

The existing fine arts classroom and lab spaces in Gurley Hall are dated. They have not been renovated since the fine arts department initially opened in the mid-1980s.

“This project will directly affect student success, graduation rates and students’ potential as future members of the workforce because it will provide quality new spaces where students can

learn, study, work in groups, gather with peers, meet with faculty, and generally feel supported in their pursuit of higher education,” Ezzell said.

Renovation of the fine arts area is the third and final phase of improvements to Gurley Hall, which is the largest building on campus.

GURLEY HALL RENOVATION

Thanks to the two most recently approved GO bonds for higher education, UNM-Gallup received $3 million in 2020 for the first phase of the Gurley Hall renovation and $3 million in 2022 for the second phase.

The first phase of the project involves the renovation of the career and technical education spaces inside Gurley Hall, including the welding and automotive technology areas.

Construction for the first phase of the project started in July 2024 and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.

The second phase of the Gurley Hall project is meant to improve the student experience. These improvements will create spaces for students to study, gather and eat, improving the overall student experience in accessing all services that UNM-Gallup offers.The second phase is in the planning and development stages.

For additional information about GO Bond 3, visit investinbond3.com.

In this April 2023 file photo, Gallup artist Eric-Paul Riege, an alum of UNM-Gallup, leads a workshop for students in the art lab inside Gurley Hall. The art lab would be renovated if voters approve GO Bond 3 during the 2024 General Election.

UNM-G hires new Workforce Development director

Ashlee Velasquez brings experience and vision to expand education and employment opportunities

The University of New Mexico-Gallup hired a new director of Community Education & Workforce Development who has a wealth of experience and a passionate vision for expanding educational and employment opportunities in the Gallup area.

Ashlee Velasquez started as the CEWD director at UNM-Gallup on April 15, 2024. The position has been vacant for a few years, so Velasquez has been tasked with rebuilding the program.

“Basically, I’m starting from a clean slate, which is good because I think that will give me a lot of flexibility and the chance to be innovative,” Velasquez said. “The possibilities will be endless.”

Velasquez spent the first month and a half on the job networking with existing and prospective partners in the community to look at ways UNM-Gallup can better address the workforce needs of the area.

She hopes to offer more employment opportunities and training for under-served and hard-to-serve populations in the community, particularly individuals in their 30s or 40s who want to go back to school but don’t know where to start.

“I would like to bridge that gap and let them know it’s not that hard,” she said. “It’s not too late to start again and start a new chapter in terms of education and getting their training.”

Velasquez formerly worked for the Navajo Nation Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program under the Department for Self Reliance. That’s where she found her passion for

helping people to reach their full potential, especially those who have experienced hardships in their lives.

Currently, the CEWD program at UNM-Gallup includes a DWI education program and a commercial driver’s license program. Velasquez hopes to expand the program to include more certificate opportunities.

“I want to make it available for

Mind your Q’s & A’s: Diving deeper into

QCan you give an overview of the Community Education & Workforce Development program and its primary goals?

AUNM-Gallup Community Education & Workforce Development is on the path to rebuilding and offering certifications and classes that will bring more opportunities for non-degree seeking students who want to fulfill personal aspirations in professional development, enrichment, creative expression or social interaction. We are also striving to offer courses that will allow community members to upskill, reskill or become trained in a certain field to become more employable or enhance their resumes. We can also partner with organizations within our area to build their workforce needs with customed, tailored cohorts. We are on a mission to make our community better by empowering students with the tools they need to further their goals and interests without the traditional college route.

QWhat are your plans for the program, and how do you see it evolving in the next few years?

AMy hope for the future of the program is to become embedded with today’s current workforce needs and trends. I hope this will allow our community members to become more employable and have the tools, skills and knowledge they will need to obtain a

job in an industry of their choosing. We want to jump-start their career and allow them to become self-sustainable. We want to put forth well-rounded candidates who are ready for the workforce.

QHow can someone enroll in the program, and what are the prerequisites, if any?

ATo apply for any of the Community Education & Workforce Development courses, students will need to just stop by our office and fill out an application. We do not undergo the traditional application process as the for-credit side and apply for any scholarships or Pell grants.

QDoes the program partner with local businesses or organizations, and how do these partnerships enhance the training offered?

AWe are striving to build our community’s workforce by offering courses that are tailored to the needs of our local employers. Now that our program is picking up momentum, we hope we receive more interested potential instructors who want to share their expertise or certifications with our community.

QWhat types of instructors or courses do you want to bring to the program?

AWe want to bring more cultural enrichment, vocational, short-term, fun, entertaining,

everyone,” she said. “Nobody will be able to feel like they’re too old or don’t feel like they can do it. I want to be able to let them know there are opportunities there and we can do that for you even if it’s outside the traditional college route.”

Velasquez’s education background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in human resources and a Master of Public Administration — both from UNM in Albuquerque.

Velasquez is originally from Gallup, so working for the UNM-Gallup branch campus makes her feel like she has come full circle.

“I started off with UNM and got experience, and now I’m bringing it back to UNM where they have given me the knowledge and degree,” she said. “What mostly got me excited for this position were the opportunities I could provide in terms of networking, bringing more resources and building this program.”

To learn more about Community Education & Workforce Development at UNM-Gallup, visit gallup.unm.edu/ce.

Ashlee Velasquez’s vision

resume-enhancing courses to our program. We are always looking for potential instructors who would like to share their passion and get paid for it!

QWho should apply as an instructor?

AAnyone who is considered an expert in their field of choice and can effectively teach a course to aspiring learners. Contact our office to get a course setup form completed, and credentials will need to be verified.

QChancellor Sabrina Ezzell recently announced that UNM-Gallup received $465,000 in GRO funding from the New Mexico Legislature [GRO stands for the Government Results and Opportunity Project Fund]. Can you describe what the grant is and what it will be used for at UNM-Gallup?

AThe New Mexico Higher Education Department received $60 million for statewide projects, and UNM-Gallup is one of the institutions receiving part of this funding. We are planning to coordinate with students to potentially get their tuition paid for the CDL A and B certifications and solar technician certificates. We are hoping that this will reduce the financial barrier and allow students to achieve their goals of obtaining certifications in these areas.

QYou recently announced you are working on introducing

online courses through the Community Education & Workforce Development program. What goals or outcomes do you hope people accomplish from these online courses?

A I hope that by offering online courses on the non-degree seeking side of UNM-Gallup, we will be able to reach more people who are interested in building their professional resume or become introduced to an area of interest that they are not accustomed to. The goal is to offer more courses to students if they have a Monday to Friday, 8-5 full time job and are not sure how to enhance their resume without taking the traditional degree-seeking route. We are also hoping to appeal to students with differing goals, backgrounds and interests; such as wanting to fill their time, enhance their resumes, or take on a new challenge. I hope that by offering online courses, more people become engaged with our campus and we are meeting every type of students’ needs within our community.

QHow will these online courses impact the community?

A The types of courses that will be offered are geared to building, upskilling and enhancing our community’s organizational need for workforce development.

Ashlee Velasquez, seen in this Sept. 16, 2024, photo, is the new director of Community Education & Workforce Development for UNM-Gallup.

BUSINESS OF ART BOOTCAMP EMPOWERS LOCAL ARTISTS

Participants learn from expert-led workshops and panels

For craftsmen like Luis Aragon and his 8-year-old son Lance, art runs in the family. But the knowledge to run a successful art business can be hard to come by in an area where resources are limited.

That’s why Aragon and his son signed up to participate in the 2024 Business of Art Bootcamp at The University of New Mexico-Gallup from April 19-20, 2024.

The Business of Art Bootcamp was a two-day event full of workshops and panel discussions aimed at providing artists with the professional tools and skills they need to kickstart or improve their art business.

“The main reason I’m doing this is because my son is a third-generation silversmith,” Aragon said.

“So, all the skill, the craft, the tools, the spirituality and mentality that has been transferred onto him is all there. The business aspect of it, something that can make it go smoother for him in his career, is what we came to learn.”

Aragon said the event also helped his son to get a jumpstart on learning to network with people face to face and be-

ing in a college setting, building a foundation of confidence in case he decides to attend college in the future.

Aragon described the bootcamp as informative with a warm and open setting. His favorite part was speaking with jewelry artist Pat Pruitt and hearing his blunt way of speaking about the business side of the art world.

Pruitt joined musician Delbert Anderson, painter and illustrator Beverly Blacksheep, and jewelry artist Jess Tolbert for a panel discussion about “Avenues on How to Sell Your Work,” moderated by UNM-Gallup lecturer and jewelry artist Kristi Wilson.

The panel was the finale for the bootcamp

and left a lasting mark on Aragon and other participants.

“The art thing is something we have in us,” Aragon said.

“Whether you have it or you don’t, you could maybe develop it. But it was great hearing

him (Pruitt) say you can learn all this other stuff and this is how that starts — by learning it, learning the business and learning to do it in a professional manner.”

UNM-Gallup student Alysia Vidal and her mother Ruth Vidal, from Gallup, also attended the bootcamp together. Alysia is currently working toward an associate degree in general studies, but she’s looking into studying art further.

“I thought it was incredible,” Alysia said of the bootcamp. “It was very informative, and a lot of the information from these artists was very helpful. It was inspiring.”

Ruth Vidal said she’s not an artist herself, but she took a jewelry mak-

ing class at UNM-Gallup in 2020. However, it was interrupted that fateful March when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the campus.

Still, Ruth said she felt inspired by the final panel discussion and hopes to revisit the jewelry making class someday.

“It’s inspiring what they’re doing and also how they’re giving back,” Ruth said of the panelists. “They don’t have to be here in Gallup on a Saturday. They’ve all achieved such a great level of success, and for them to still come to Gallup to our little event here was great. We appreciate it so much.”

The bootcamp also featured workshops and panels by Gallup fiber artist Eric-Paul Riege, Zuni artist Marlo Kiyite, printmaker Duhon James, photographer Rapheal Begay, Santa Fe jewelry artist Brian Fleetwood, UNM student Kayliegh Begay, and representatives from WESST, a small business assistance organization.

The Business of Art Bootcamp was made possible thanks to a Creative Industries Grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department.

From left, jewelry artist Jess Tolbert, musician Delbert Anderson, painter and illustrator Beverly Blacksheep, and contemporary jewelry artist Pat Pruitt participate in a panel discussion about how artists can sell their work during the Business of Art Bootcamp in Calvin Hall Center Auditorium at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on April 19, 2024.

UNM student Kayliegh Begay gives Luis Aragon tips on how to take pictures of a piece of art during the Business of Art Bootcamp in Calvin Hall Center Auditorium on April 19, 2024.

GallupARTS Executive Director Rose Eason moderates a panel discussion about making a living as an artist during the Business of Art Bootcamp in Calvin Hall Center Auditorium on April 19, 2024.

UNM-G expands mental health resources

Free TimelyCare app aimed at improving student well-being

Anew partnership between The University of New Mexico and TimelyCare, which is higher education’s most trusted virtual health and well-being provider, is giving students at the Gallup branch campus access to free and equitable mental health support, medical care and basic needs assistance.

The partnership with TimelyCare is an extension of campus health and counseling center resources offered by UNM Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), with a goal of improving student well-being, engagement and retention.

“Mental health has a direct impact on the well-being and safety of students, which ultimately impacts their educational success,” UNM-Gallup Student Affairs Director Jayme McMahon said. “Prioritizing and increasing student access to mental health support is pivotal in supporting students overall. Implementation of TimelyCare helps remove the barrier of access for students seeking help while also destigmatizing the need for these types of services on college campuses.”

UNM-Gallup Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell said the arrival of the new telehealth service is well timed based on feedback from the 2023 UNM Basic Needs Survey, which found high levels of food insecurity and housing insecurity among the students, staff and faculty at the Gallup campus.

“TimelyCare will help us meet the mental health needs of our students so they can be successful in their academic pursuits as we continue to work on other avenues and resources within our own campus community,” Ezzell said.

The need for 24/7 access to high-quality care has never been more important. According to the American Council on Education, student mental health is the top concern of college and university presidents. It’s also the number one reason students leave college. A recent report by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation found that 69% of students in bachelor’s degree programs who considered dropping out cited emotional stress as their reason.

Through TimelyCare on their phone or other device, UNM-Gallup students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed physicians and

counselors in all 50 states — at no cost and without the barrier of traditional insurance — including:

• On-demand and appointment-based medical care.

• On-demand mental health and emotional support (TalkNow).

• Appointment-based mental health counseling (up to 12 sessions each academic year).

• Psychiatric support.

• Health coaching.

• Basic Needs assistance.

• Care navigation.

• Peer support community.

• Digital self-care content. Additionally, UNM-Gallup faculty and staff have access to support that empowers them to guide students to TimelyCare resources to help students achieve a sense of well-being, live healthier lifestyles and improve their mental health.

Benefits to students include: Convenient 24/7 care — Physical and mental health

issues often present themselves outside regular business hours, and TimelyCare makes seeking support or treatment as easy and convenient as making a video or phone call.

Reduced wait times — Many campus counseling centers often have a 2-3 week wait time for appointments, whereas students can typically connect with a TimelyCare provider in less than 5 minutes.

Diverse provider network — TimelyCare’s diverse and culturally responsive provider network reflects and is proud to serve students who embody diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, age, religion and worldview, language, health, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and immigration status, and more. Students scheduling services can choose to meet with a specific provider or select the first available.

Peace of mind – TimelyCare is a safe, secure, URAC-accredited and HIPAA-compliant platform that follows campus-specific protocols to facilitate care coordination and follow-up to ensure continuity of care. Integrations with leading learning management systems ensure students have even more on-ramps to inthe-moment support whenever they need it.

To access TimelyCare, go to timelycare.com/unm or download the TimelyCare app (iOS or Android) to register with your name and UNM email address.

Library offers online language learning program

Mango Languages now available to campus community for free

Zollinger Library at The University of New Mexico-Gallup is now offering free access to an online language learning software for the campus community and their loved ones.

The library recently subscribed to Mango Languages, a service that offers lessons in over 70 world languages. The service is now available to use on a computer or mobile device to all UNM-Gallup students, staff and faculty with UNM credentials. It can also be used by up to five family members.

“The library is always about providing new experiences and ways for people to expand their learning on their own

terms,” Zollinger Library Director Markos Chavez said. “This is definitely something people can use to learn any language on their own terms — not

just what’s offered by the university.”

While UNM-Gallup offers several types of language classes, including Navajo, Spanish and more,

Mango Languages will allow the campus community to expand their language learning outside of the classroom at their own pace.

Mango does not offer lessons in Navajo, but other Indigenous languages are available such as Cherokee and Potawatomi. There are even unique language learning opportunities such as Shakespearean English, Russian Slang and Pirate.

Mango uses listening and reading activities to help people learn new vocabulary, grammatical structure and pronunciation. Mango also adapts to a person’s learning style as they go.

Zollinger Library

launched its Mango subscription in December 2023 and is now promoting the service to the entire campus community.

To sign up for Mango Languages, visit the Zollinger Library website at gallup.unm.edu/library and select the “NEW Mango Languages” button. Users will be redirected to Mango’s website, where they can sign up using their UNM email.

After a person creates an account, they can then sign in and create “Family Profiles” for up to 5 family members to share the service.

INFORMATION: Markos Chavez, 505-863-7531

markos@unm.edu

Zollinger Library at The University of New Mexico-Gallup now offers the online language learning program Mango Languages to the campus community for free.

6 Lobos earn top 15 at SkillsUSA nationals

Six students from The University of New Mexico-Gallup, including the state pin design winner, represented the Land of Enchantment at the 2024 SkillsUSA Championship in June.

UNM-Gallup students Kayliegh Begay, Sonny Gene, Kitana James, Mason Joe, Layla Perry and Carlos Silva competed in the championship during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta from June 23-27. All six students placed in the top 13 of their respective categories.

“I think the students surprised themselves,” UNM-Gallup SkillsUSA Chapter advisor Ann Jarvis said. “Many of the students put in a lot of extra practice sessions, doing presentations out in the community before the state conference. You could see it was evident those practice sessions helped them get out in front of the judges.”

SkillsUSA is a workforce development organization that empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. UNM-Gallup formed its SkillsUSA Chapter in 2014 and has seen success at both the state and national competitions in

recent years.

This year, Begay was the top finisher for UNM-Gallup at the national championship, placing fourth in the post-secondary Pin Design category.

“She’s very competitive,” Jarvis said of Begay. “She knows what she wants, and she goes for it. She always used to talk about before she joined SkillsUSA that she was very quiet, not involved, and into her own things. Then with Skills, she really blossomed and opened up.”

Gene placed 13th in the post-secondary Job Demon-

stration Open category, James placed fifth in the Prepared Speech category, Joe placed seventh in the secondary Action Skills category, Perry placed 11th in the secondary Job Demonstration Open category, and Silva placed eighth in the secondary Job Interview category.

At the state competition in Albuquerque back in April, UNM-Gallup students earned a total of seven gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals.

“This is the most gold medals we’ve ever earned at a state

competition,” Jarvis said.

Begay won a state gold medal in the pin design category for the second year in a row — first as a high school student, then as a college student.

Begay also placed first in the post-secondary Job Skill Demonstration Open category at the state competition, making her a double gold medalist.

However, because Begay competed in the pin design contest at nationals, Gene was selected to take her place in the Job Skill Demonstration Open category because he placed second at state, earning a silver medal.

James, Joe, Perry and Silva each earned gold in their respective categories. In addition, Kiefer Yazzie earned gold in the post-secondary Job Skill Demonstration A category, but he opted not to attend the national competition.

UNM-Gallup’s other silver medalists were Kellan Benally in the post-secondary Extemporaneous Speaking category and Raine Segura in the secondary Job Skill Demonstration A category.

UNM-Gallup’s bronze medalists were Orlan Dale; Ryan Descheny; and Bryan Herold, Tyler Smith and Isaiah Tsosie as a team.

CCTE program prepares students for the real world

The Center for Career and Technical Education (CCTE) at The University of New Mexico-Gallup is collaborating with area high schools to provide students with hands-on, career-focused education.

The CCTE is a cooperative effort between UNM-Gallup and Gallup-McKinley County Schools, Rehoboth Christian School, Gallup Christian School, Zuni Public School District, Wingate High School, Middle College High School and Hozho Academy to offer career and technical education courses to the community.

“We have different programs of study mostly focusing on high-demand, high-skill jobs,” said Karla Baldonado, who returned to UNM-Gallup as the new CCTE director in December 2023. “These are technical courses of study geared toward preparing students for a more real-world scenario once they hit their chosen job field.”

The CCTE programs of study include automotive technology, construction technology, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, design and digital media, fire science technology, health careers, Multi-Vocational Service Occupations (MVSO), Stu-

dents Achieving New Directions (SAND), and welding technology.

Baldonado explained the MVSO and SAND programs work with community businesses to provide students with onthe-job training.

CCTE Program Coordinator Bobbi Campos said students sometimes receive job offers from their work site after they finish the program.

Baldonado said students will also learn soft skills, such as communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills through the CCTE program. They can gain a better connection to their community too.

Class sizes average about 15 students, and students can earn up to 18 credits participating in CCTE, giving them a jump start on the degree or career they want to pursue.

“And it’s minimal cost to them because the home high schools pay for fees and textbooks,” Baldonado said. “They’re getting bussed in, so transportation is provided and they spend half a day on a college campus learning college and employee skills. They are gaining the skills they need for the real world from faculty who are experts in their field.”

Campos said students interested in joining the CCTE

program should speak to their school counselor first. Then Campos works with the counselors to ensure everything is in order.

“I’m very passionate about this program,” Campos said. “I see its potential. When you get a new set of students at the beginning of the year, you literally see their growth throughout the year. … You can see them change. And we’re here to support them. We’re here to help them succeed.”

For more information about CCTE, please visit gallup.unm.edu/ccte.

This July 26, 2024, photo shows UNM-Gallup student Kayliegh Begay’s SkillsUSA pin design in front of the Student Services & Technology Center on campus.

Instructor Robert Encinio gives directions to a student enrolled in the Center for Career and Technical Education at UNM-Gallup during a class inside the Construction Technology building on May 9, 2024.

Instructor Mike Silva checks the protective gear of a student enrolled in the Center for Career and Technical Education during a fire science class inside the Physical Education Complex on May 1, 2024.