Stationed at the finish line’s primary First Aid tent, the student nursing team collaborated closely with regional event staff, race officials, and local emergency medical services (EMS). The partnership was anchored by athletic trainer Mike McMillan, who coordinated the operational layout and supplied crucial logistical resources. The tent served as an immediate medical triage point, equipped with shaded recovery areas, client seating, and an array of specialized supplies, including wound care kits and orthopedic slings, as well as rapid-acting ice packs and over-the-counter analgesics.

Throughout the day, students managed a steady influx of athletes presenting with injuries typical of a high-velocity cycling race. The most common ailments required immediate attention for road rash, extensive scrapes, and acute lacerations requiring precise wound care. Additionally, students assessed numerous extremity injuries, treating bruised and sprained fingers, hands, knees, and elbows resulting from racecourse wrecks.

“The fast-paced environment of an outdoor athletic event is a great way to challenge our students and give them experience in a new care setting,” said Ariana Garcia, an Associate Professor of Nursing. Their typical clinical experiences are in traditional health care settings. This is a fantastic way to help reinforce those rapid, focused assessments and help teach them to think on their feet, in order to prioritize what patient care they think should be completed first based on the chief complaint.”

Operating outside a controlled clinical environment forced the nursing team to pivot their standard diagnostic protocols. Lacking the heavy diagnostic imaging and laboratory resources of a full-scale hospital, the team relied heavily on rapid, focused assessments determined by each athlete’s immediate chief complaint. For injuries involving suspected fractured extremities or severe head trauma, the team maintained a strict protocol to stabilize patients on-site before executing seamless handoffs to local EMS for emergency room transport and advanced imaging.

Neurological assessments became paramount when cyclists displayed potential concussion symptoms following a crash. Students conducted immediate evaluations of consciousness, mental orientation, and pupil responsiveness, while monitoring for secondary indicators such as persistent headaches, nausea, or vomiting.

Environmental and physical factors also demanded continuous vigilance. As exhausted riders crossed the finish line, the nursing team performed rapid assessments to differentiate between extreme physical exertion, severe heat exhaustion, and life-threatening heat stroke. Interventions included monitoring core temperatures, applying localized cooling rags, administering oral fluids and electrolytes when tolerated, and utilizing emergency temperature-control blankets.

Ultimately, the immersive experience allowed the student nurses to fulfill an essential public safety function while deeply embedding themselves in the fabric of Southwest New Mexico’s community health network.

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Western New Mexico University recently welcomed dozens of seventh-grade students from the Mescalero Apache Schools for a multi-day visit that blended cultural preservation with an introduction to university life. The visit served as a gateway to the students’ annual mezcal harvest, a cornerstone of their cultural heritage, held in early May.

The long-standing partnership between WNMU and the Mescalero Apache community aims to provide students with an early look at the opportunities afforded by higher education. Rena Nash, cultural and language director for the Mescalero Apache Schools, emphasized the importance of the trip in broadening the students’ horizons.

“We want for our children to be able to get an awareness of what it is to be in college, off the reservation, and be able to see the outside world,” Nash said. She noted that the seventh grade is a pivotal year for the students, as many are preparing for their puberty ceremonies and transitioning toward adulthood. Nash knows the visits work, her granddaughter attended WNMU after visiting the campus during another ceremony visit years ago and then graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

During their stay, students were immersed in the WNMU experience through a series of tours and activities led by the Office of Admissions. Student ambassadors, including international and domestic students, guided the visitors through several key academic and social hubs. The comprehensive tour included stops at the WNMU Museum, the School of Social Work and School of Education, highlighting professional career paths. They also visited the J. Cloyd Miller Library and the WNMU bookstore.

To provide a true sense of “student life,” the visitors enjoyed dinner at the WNMU dining hall and participated in outdoor games and activities on the campus grounds. These interactions allowed the younger students to ask questions about the college experience in a relaxed, peer-to-peer environment.

Following their time on campus, the students traveled to Freeport-McMoRan mine property for the annual mezcal harvest. This tradition is essential to the Mescalero Apache identity, focusing on the harvest of the mezcal plant, which has historically served as a vital food source and a multi-purpose resource.

Zachary Flowers, Eugene Kleinkole, and Percy Platta, members of the Mescalero Schools operations and maintenance staff, among others from the school, accompanied the students to ensure the tradition continues through the generations. Platta and Kleinkole are also members of the tribe. “We use it for food, and it’s like aloe vera for healing,” they shared, noting the plant’s deep cultural and practical significance.

The harvest itself culminated in a closed blessing and ceremony on Wednesday morning. For many students, such as seventh-grader Janay E., the event is a significant rite of passage. “I’ve been one other time and I love it, Janay E. said. “I’m excited to participate for the first time,” fellow student Lacey M. said, noting that she has heard about this vital cultural event through family and tribal communications her entire life.

By hosting the students before they head to the harvest, WNMU remains committed to fostering a supportive environment where Indigenous traditions and academic aspirations can thrive together.

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Kinesiology, the science of human movement, is divided into two specialized pillars at WNMU: exercise physiology and sport psychology. Peltonen, an expert in exercise physiology and a former professional bicycle racer, focuses on the body’s physical responses to exertion. Sato specializes in the psychosocial aspects of movement, exploring how mental performance and motivation influence both elite athletes and everyday individuals.

“Our students aren’t just reading about health; they are leading it,” said Peltonen. Through a collaboration with the Western Institute of Lifelong Learning (WILL), WNMU offers the Get Fit Seniors program. The 12-week exercise course allows top kinesiology students to act as lead instructors for older adults, gaining invaluable leadership skills while translating academic theory into life-changing results for participants.

The program’s reach extends to Silver City’s youth through the “WNMU Kids’ Bicycle Program.” Meeting at Regent Square, local elementary students gather for seven weeks each semester to learn the joy of movement, guided by WNMU students who gain experience in youth physical education and motor development.

WNMU faculty is also challenging the traditional separation of mind and body. “There is not a system in the human body that physical activity does not have a positive benefit on,” Peltonen explained, noting that exercise can even increase brain mass in the hippocampus, slowing cognitive decline.

Sato echoed this holistic view, emphasizing that movement supports social and psychological well-being. “We focus on how we can encourage people to stay active, whether they are elite athletes needing mental support for competition or individuals recovering from illness who need to relearn basic motor skills like walking or holding a cup,” said Sato.

Despite its modest size, the Kinesiology program uses sophisticated equipment to prepare students for graduate-level research. Students have access to a metabolic cart to measure VO2 max—a primary indicator of cardiovascular fitness—and resting metabolic rates. This data-driven approach allows students to analyze real-world performance metrics, such as cardiometabolic status and lipid levels, particularly within the senior population they serve.

Furthermore, the faculty is dedicated to combating health misinformation. In an era of “old wives’ tales”—such as the myth that running is inherently bad for knees or that humans have a “limited number of heartbeats”—WNMU professors teach students how to navigate peer-reviewed literature to find the facts.

“We practice what we teach,” said Peltonen. “We aren’t just talking about it; we are out there running, biking, and living it. That passion is what we pass on to our students,” Sato added.

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Western New Mexico University (WNMU) conducted its annual spring symposium in late April; the two-day event showcased academic excellence, creative scholarship and the diverse research initiatives of the university’s faculty and students. The event provided a comprehensive platform for the university community to engage with emerging insights on topics from local historical preservation to advancements in environmental science.

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The ceremony honored students graduating with degrees and certificates across various academic levels. While degrees and certificates will be officially conferred following a final audit of academic records, notable preliminary highest degrees awarded included:

• Masters – 138
• Grad Cert – 28
• Bachelors – 197
• Associates – 104
• Certificates – 8
• Fast Track Certificates – 42

Among the graduates, more than 200 attended the ceremony in person. The university recognized the remaining graduates in absentia, representing its distance-learning community, with many joining the celebration via livestream from across the country and the world.

In her speech to graduates, families and faculty, Gov. Grisham focused on the transformative power of the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship and the state’s commitment to accessible education.

Reflecting on the ceremony, Gov. Grisham said, “The last time I stood on this campus, I signed our state’s historic Opportunity Scholarship into law. Returning as your Commencement speaker, I get to witness for myself what that law made possible. This year’s graduates are proof that when New Mexico invests in its people, its people deliver.”

Expanding on her message, the governor urged graduates to use their degrees to bolster the state’s workforce, specifically highlighting the university’s role in training the next generation of educators. She emphasized that the resilience shown by the Class of 2026 prepares them to solve modern challenges in a “dynamic, interconnected world.”

During the ceremony, the university recognized several faculty and students for exceptional achievements:

• Excellence in Teaching: Wenjie Wang, Ph.D.
• Excellence in Research: Andrea Nica, Ph.D.
• Excellence in Professional Service: Stephanie Fanselow, Ph.D.
• Best Online Course Design: Becky Brandsburg-Herrera, Ph.D.
• Best Online Course Delivery: William Lane, Ph.D.
• ASWNMU Outstanding Teacher Award: Gregory Robinson Guerra, Ph.D. (presented by the Associated Students of WNMU)

The Commencement also honored students receiving top academic honors; Taylor James was recognized with the Outstanding Senior Award and Elena Rodriguez was recognized with the Excellence in Graduate Studies Award.

Additionally, the university awarded 162 baccalaureate students who graduated with academic honors (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) with bronze medallions to signify the achievement.

Continuing the celebration, Interim President Chris Maples, Ph.D., praised the graduates for their perseverance and the impact they will have on the region.

Maples stated, “The Class of 2026 represents the resilience and intellectual curiosity that define the Mustang spirit. As these graduates move forward to lead in their respective fields, they carry not only a degree but also the responsibility to serve their communities with the same dedication they showed in the classroom. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements alongside Gov. Grisham on this historic day.”

The event marked the final spring commencement before incoming President Jose Coll, Ph.D., takes office.

The university’s Panopto portal offers a recording of the full ceremony: .

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While most histories mark the 13th Amendment as the end of slavery, Hernandez’s research reveals that Southwest New Mexico maintained exploitative methods like slavery and domestic servitude involving Indigenous peoples for nearly a century afterward. Backed by archival records and oral histories, the book exposes how displaced or orphaned Indigenous individuals were forced into local households and ranches under conditions constituting illegal and unethical enslavement.

“As a scholar, I’m dedicated to emphasizing the “human element” of history—ensuring that the story of Silver City isn’t only about mining or other basic elements of economic development, but about the diverse people who built the town,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez emphasizes that understanding the region’s modern identity requires direct confrontation with this persistent legacy. His research aims to provide an honest, unvarnished account of the experiences of those marginalized and exploited, thereby expanding the common understanding of the Southwest’s development. “By centering the voices of the enslaved or those otherwise taken as captives, the work contests the sanitized versions of frontier progress often found in local lore,” Hernandez explained.

The book explores the complex transition of Silver City from a volatile, high-stakes mining camp into a settled community, noting that the “boom” eras frequently depended on oppressive labor systems that lacked even the most basic human rights protections.

Hernandez identifies specific legal loopholes and rigid social structures that allowed slavery and closely related practices to persist in the shadows of the law until the late 1970s, denoting a significant and jarring break from standard historical chronologies of American labor and civil rights.

“My research contends that Silver City’s evolution depended not only on mineral resources and other forms of economic development but also on coerced labor tied to the partial assimilation of Native Americans that persisted through major national shifts,” Hernandez said. He argues that a system of hidden ownership existed, with Indigenous people forced into domestic roles and stripped of identity, showing a broad failure of oversight. “The book’s findings are positioned to spark the needed community and statewide dialogue about reconciliation and historical truth,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez concludes that confronting the community’s foundational injustices is essential for healing and accurate remembrance. His study argues that these violations are not distant history, but a lived experience for many residents. This recency stresses the ethical obligation to examine and address the region’s past.

“Unpacking Silver City: Revealing the Rich Tapestry of a Historic Town,” by Bart Roselli, features chapters from WNMU professors Hernandez and Scott Fritz, and is available for purchase through several online book retailers.

Visit wnmu.edu for information about degree programs and class offerings.

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While many Western mining camps collapsed following commodity crashes, Silver City’s longevity was built on a foundation of accidental diversification and fierce political self-reliance.

In his research, notably featured in the book “Unpacking Silver City,” Fritz argues that while Silver City followed the classic “boom-to-bust” trajectory of the 1880s, it possessed unique stabilizers.

“Unlike towns like Georgetown or Gila, which relied on a single commodity, Silver City relied on two: mining and cattle,” Fritz explains. “I don’t know if the town purposely thought about diversifying, but it happened from its beginning in 1870.�� It quickly became a regional hub where its businesses serviced the needs of a growing number of mines and ranches in the area. These businesses included hardware stores, shipping companies, and general stores. Because of the nearby smelters, the town had many residents who needed daily provisions, helping to explain the existence of Chinese-owned restaurants and grocery businesses, butcher shops, and liquor and drug outlets.”

The results of this economic layering were further fortified by Silver City’s status as the Grant County a seat in 1871, the arrival of the railroad in 1883, and the 1893 establishment of the Territorial Normal School (now WNMU). “Indeed, from the beginning of the school’s existence, students brought money into the community and back in this early period, when there was no such thing as a ‘university bookstore,’ students would buy their books from local shops on Bullard Street, like Blackwell’s book and music shop,” Fritz said.

A significant portion of Fritz’s work highlights “Merchants of Modernity”—business leaders who pushed the region into the 20th century. Chief among them was��Silver City’s own Elizabeth Warren, a pioneer who became the first certified female insurance agent in the New Mexico Territory.

After her husband’s death in 1887, Warren ran an insurance and notary business serving miners and ranchers. A born entrepreneur, Warren also ran several other businesses simultaneously.

When the city mandated cement sidewalks in 1906, Warren pivoted, co-founding a cement business to meet the new legal demand. Her name can still be found stamped in the vintage concrete of Silver City’s older neighborhoods.

Fritz also explored the social role of the general store as a “third place”—a community hub where different cultures intersected. From the 19th-century mercantile firms like Amador y Macias to the movie theaters of the 1930s, these businesses functioned as the city’s social glue.

His research was fueled by rare primary sources, including recently recovered student council minutes from the 1930s and assessor records salvaged by local officials. Fritz is currently advocating for the digitization of these archives—including WNMU yearbooks dating back to 1901—to ensure the town’s history of resilience remains accessible to future generations.

Fritz continues his research into local business history, including “tiendas” of Chihuahua Hill and minority-owned businesses.

“Unpacking Silver City: Revealing the Rich Tapestry of a Historic Town,” by Bart Roselli, features chapters from WNMU professors Fritz and Andrew Hernandez, and is available for purchase through several online book retailers.

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Castañon grew up in Bayard; her deep-rooted connection to the area informs her approach to support, as she understands the unique challenges and the strong sense of communal reliance that defines the local culture. After graduating from WNMU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Castañon pursued a Master of Fine Arts at Illinois State University, but a desire for the collective spirit of her home community drew her back to Silver City.

Castañon joined the university staff two years ago, initially serving as a part-time reference librarian. Her rapid progression highlights her versatility and commitment to the institution. In her current capacity, she serves as a vital engine for the Miller Library, managing work-study students, overseeing interlibrary loans, and ensuring that the facility remains an organized, functional space for academic pursuit.

Her colleagues describe her as an indispensable leader who leads by example. “Jenny always goes above and beyond for patrons and co-workers,” one colleague noted. “She’s excellent with the work studies and never asks them to do anything she wouldn’t do herself. She’s protective of them but also builds self-confidence so they can effectively work independently.”

While administrative duties occupy much of her schedule, Castañon finds deep fulfillment in assisting students who feel overwhelmed by the demands of higher education. She is particularly drawn to supporting recent high school graduates, international students, and non-traditional learners who may feel lost when tasked with mastering unfamiliar technology or academic skills.

Drawing from her own experience of overcoming language barriers while learning English, Castañon approaches these interactions with a unique level of empathy. She recognizes that these moments are about more than just technical instruction; they are opportunities to provide encouragement and foster a safe environment where students feel comfortable being vulnerable about their needs. Though she balances these high-energy interactions to maintain her professional focus, she remains dedicated to helping students build the foundational confidence and skills necessary for their long-term success.

“Sometimes you have patrons come in and not really know basics,” Castañon said. “Even though it takes an hour or so, there is this benefit—they are progressing. I’m happy to help them.”

Castañon’s perspective is uniquely shaped by her background as an abstract painter. Having studied calligraphy and intentional mark-making in China, she views the library’s collection through a lens of visual parallels. This artistic eye has led her back to the classroom as a student once again, taking graphic design courses to find new ways to contribute to the university’s visual outreach.

“I consider it like a painting,” Castañon said of the literature she manages. “When you read a good book, you feel the same way you do when seeing a good painting—it speaks to you. I want to use all my skills to add value to the library and WNMU.”

Castañon is also a dedicated advocate for her peers through her work on the Staff Senate. Her colleagues emphasize that this dedication is paired with deep compassion. “She’s extremely compassionate and understanding, a great communicator, and always makes time to listen,” her colleague added. “Jenny has a strong sense of ethical integrity and is one of the most dedicated people I’ve ever met.”

For Castañon, the university’s strength lies in its people. “Here it is like a community where everyone comes together,” she said. “There are people that make an effort each and every day.”

[Cutline: Jenny Castañon, access services librarian, WNMU April Employee of the Month.]

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The ACBSP is a premier specialized accrediting body that shifts the focus from traditional research-heavy metrics to teaching excellence and student learning outcomes. Its framework is designed to foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that member institutions do not stagnate between major reviews. Maintaining this status is a perpetual process.

“The oversight structure includes decennial reaffirmations, which are exhaustive, ten-year deep dives into every facet of the program,” explained Professor of Finance and Dean of the WNMU School of Business Miguel Vicens, Doctorate of Economic Development (D.E.D.). “These are supplemented by Quality Assurance Reports submitted every four years and biennial interim updates. This rigorous cadence ensures that assessment and refinement are not seasonal administrative burdens but are instead woven into the daily operations of the faculty and staff.”

Vicens attributes this success to operationalizing high-level concepts. “In today’s competitive academic landscape, maintaining gold-standard accreditation takes more than meeting benchmarks—it requires systemic alignment of resources and faculty efforts,” Vicens said.

The acceptance of the 2026 report marks the culmination of a transformative decade for the School of Business. The 2018 reaffirmation noted specific areas identified by the council as requiring remedial action or additional documentation. “The shift from legacy challenges to full compliance is the result of a disciplined, data-driven strategic approach,” said Vicens.

During this transformative period, the department accomplished over 90% of the goals set in its 2016–2021 strategic plan. Key achievements include expanding accredited offerings, notably extending accreditation to Associate degree programs alongside the established bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As a result, all students now benefit from a curriculum validated by international standards, regardless of their degree path.

Vicens explained that “the strategy was paired with execution, integrating the school’s objectives into daily workflow.” Aligning classroom efforts with broader institutional goals ensures that data collected for accreditation demonstrates true, sustainable progress. “We are evolving the WNMU School of Business into the global marketplace and providing students with a relevant, dynamic education.”

The WNMU School of Business offers a world-class education grounded in accountability and academic rigor. This milestone proves that, through persistence, an institution can reach the peak of international academic standards.

For more information about the WNMU School of Business visit wnmu.edu.

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