Campus Weekly

NM HED Cabinet Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez addressed HSE grads

New Mexico Higher Education Department Cabinet Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez delivered keynote address to the 38 students who successfully completed their High School Equivalency (HSE) in the Adult Education Academic Career Education (ACE) program at SFCC on May 20.

The HSE graduation ceremony is a celebration of the students’ hard work and dedication in achieving their High School Equivalency Certificate. It’s a formal event where graduates are recognized for their accomplishments and receive their diplomas. This ceremony marks a significant step forward, enabling them to pursue further education, advance in their careers, and achieve their personal goals.SFCC’s HSE graduates include 38 students, ranging in age from 16 to 34 years old. The majority of the students identify as Latino/a, and most are female. All graduates are from the Santa Fe area.

Congratulations to the graduates:

Amanda Aguirre, Jerimiah Alejo, Miguel Alvarez, Carlos Araiza Ramos, Zabdi Ayala, Catalina Badillo Montalvo, Bret Barranco, Vanessa Benavidez, Chloe Benta, Kristal Blanton, Lillian Bodei, Sabrina Castleberry, Veronica Castro Rodriguez, Esther Chavez, Lucy De Santis, Seth DeLupos, Laureta Disue, Carla Enriquez Marquez, Brenda Flores Martinez, Miguel Garcia, Elias Gomez, Martin Gurule, Tera Hart, Nicole Herd, Javier Isaias, Hernandez Merino, Isaiah Holding, Zuwena Islam, Naima Kopriva Basse, Lily Krainz Grimaldo, Gia Larson, Carlos Lucero, Shania Martinez, Julienne Masopust, Yesika Medina Ochoa, Kristina Mercado, Monica Morales, Tania Moreno Favela, Anthony Muller, Elena Quintana, Rizwan Ramirez Crespin, Marisol Ruiz, Nancy   Salcido Chavez, Terah Sena, Tiffany Sesma, Gurpreet Singh, Josef Tarenzi, Brandon Terrazas, Zoey Thoman, Ethan Tilson, Claudia Utomo, Yeilyn Varela, Maria Wheeler, Elizabeth  Whitehead and Elizabeth Youts.

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News and Announcements

• Dental Department graduates honored with pinning ceremony
• ‘Unhoused ART’ exhibition opens 4 p.m. June 12 followed by a panel discussion at 6 p.m. June 18
• Bilingual Early Childhood graduates honored at celebration
• Youth Triathlon on June 21 and Adult Triathlon on June 22
• DezBaa’ inspired graduates with her keynote address
• SFCC awarded contracts for pre-apprenticeship programs for broadband infrastructure and home energy auditing
• Baking students shared their specialties with SFCC community
• Spring 2025 Nursing Pinning Ceremony recognized graduates
• Katie Besser Art & Writing Awards announced
• Santa Fe New Mexican highlighted SFCC’s impact and future as it concluded 40th anniversary year

• Respiratory Care graduates honored with pinning ceremony
• Wri-Gen Spring Series participants’ reading video available
• TATC closed May 12-Aug 15 for HVAC renovation
• SFCC Duplicating Center summer hours
• Register today to join Digital Access Essentials free training series offered by SFCC and Accessible New Mexico
• Campus Cupboard art show continues through June 6
• Check out the latest Inside SFCC issue
• SFCC announces tuition and fee increases for 2025-2026 Academic Year
• Register soon for the best selection of Fall classes
• Medical Assisting is now accepting applications
• Summer registration continues
• Free Workforce Training for New Mexico residents
• May Cultural Calendar

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Dental Department graduates honored with pinning ceremony

The SFCC Dental Department honored graduates with a pinning ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 1 p.m. by the Bio-wall in the Health & Sciences Center of SFCC.

The DA certificate graduates include: Ashely Luevano, Alexia Archuleta Valdez, Karina Castro, Virginia Gonzales, Jeneen Roybal and Samantha Bencomo.

The AAS in Dental Health graduates include: Jeneen Roybal and Virginia Gonzales

The CDHC Certificate and Adv. DA Skills Certificate graduate: Karla Martinez-Talavera

The EFDA certificate graduates include: Maricella Acosta, Shoa Mansoor, Janessa Montoya, Stephanie Nieuwenhuis, Juanita Pinon-Williams, Mariam Rodriguez Zarate, Arianna Sanchez, Elizabeth Soto, Estella Sweeten

This event was possible due to the generous contribution by SFCC’s SMILES Club, Dr. Aamna Nayyar, Ms. Karla Martinez Talavera, Ms. Patricia Delgado and Henry Schein Dental. Thanks you!

To learn more about the Dental programs, please visit https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/dental-2/ or contact the Dental  Director Aamna Nayyar by email at aamna.nayyar@sfcc.edu or by phone at 505-428-1258.

See all the photos shared by Dr. Amna Nayyar on Facebook at this link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100063606905673&set=a.1301536285309923

‘Unhoused ART’ exhibition opens 4 p.m. June 12 followed by a panel discussion at 6 p.m. June 18

Save the dates!

Art on Campus will host “Unhoused ART” an exhibit of work from unhoused individuals. Opening reception June 12, 2025 4-6 p.m. in the Main Hallway of the Main Building. Exhibit runs June 12, 2025-June 24, 2025.

There will be a panel discussion on Wednesday, June 18, 6 pm-7:30 pm in the Jemez Room of the SFCC.

Sponsored by Santa Fe Housing for All Collaborative: A grassroots group committed to making Santa Fe livable for all. They are a network of housed and unhoused neighbors joining together, learning from one another, and connecting resources to support people experiencing homelessness and promote safe, viable housing solutions. Through advocacy, education, and hands on volunteer work, they strive to create paradigm shifts around homelessness and inspire lasting community change.

The Panel Discussion: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 18 in Jemez Rooms

The panel will discuss

• How and why they became homeless.
• The impact on being homeless and how they are treated.
• How communities can assist with their needs.

Bilingual Early Childhood graduates honored at celebration

The Bilingual Early Childhood Education program hosted an end-of-semester celebration on Thursday, May 15, recognizing 58 students who completed Certificates in Early Childhood Development, Associate of Arts degrees in Early Childhood Education, and two honorees from the Alternative Licensure Program.

The heartfelt event included remarks from ECED faculty members Deyanira Contreras and Jonathan Contreras, who offered inspiring words of encouragement to the students and their families.

Students recognized at the event completed significant milestones in their academic journeys, and many are moving forward into careers in early childhood education across the region.

Special thanks to SFCC Student Activities and the SFCC Foundation for their generous financial support, which helped make this celebration possible. We also deeply appreciate the contributions of Kayla Garcia, Anthony Rivera, Dawn Wink, Kristy Pruitt, Laurie Saylor, Charlie Shultz, Mary Eleas, Marcos Maez, Niki McKay Kelly Marquez, Maria Montoya and Joanna Johnston, as well as faculty Deyanira Contreras, Jonathan Contreras, Sandra Friedrichs, and Olga Jaramillo, and the custodial staff who helped make this celebration a success.

Special gratitude to President Becky Rowley, Vice President Margaret Peters, Krystel Sanchez, Emily McCarthy, and Jonathan Harrell for joining us for this celebration.

A special shoutout to honoree Teacher Education member Mateo Chavez (Kayla Garcia’s son), who brought joy to the event by making us laugh and smile throughout the day.

To learn more about the Early Childhood Education program, visit https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/early-childhood-education/. Click photos to enlarge.

Youth Triathlon on June 21 and Adult Triathlon on June 22; note related FEC closures

SFCC is co-hosting and sponsoring a youth triathlon on Saturday, June 21 and an adult triathlon on Sunday, June 22. There will be partial closure of the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center (FEC) on Saturday, June 21 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The FEC will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22. The FEC will be closed to the public on Sunday, June 22.

DezBaa’ inspired graduates with her keynote address

DezBaa’ gave a warm welcome to the Class of 2025 in her keynote address. She talked about how when she was younger she really wanted to get out of New Mexico. She quickly added, “But here I am. I am back and by choice. I say this because it was really a huge struggle for me to leave because I really didn’t know who I was when I left.

“I grew up with my father who is Navajo and I grew up with my Mom who is Mexican, but I didn’t really understand my identity. I didn’t understand who I was. But I did not understand who I was because I didn’t realize who I am because I somehow got the lesson “to play small” – to hide who I was – even though that wasn’t something my parents told me.”

(Editor’s note: “Playing small” typically means hiding parts of yourself to please others and acting out of fear, insecurity or low self-worth. It can lead to settling for a life that is less than you’re capable of living.)

DezBaa’ experienced much personal growth since those younger years and encouraged graduates to continue to personally learn, grow and prioritize self-care. She shared the story about the profound impact of recently getting recertified in CPR. She reflected on the core principles of CPR: Check, Call and Care. First, you check the scene for safety, then assign someone to call 911 and finally determine if you can care for this person. She led everyone through the steps to see where they are within their own lives.

First, Check. She invited the graduating class to check how they were physically feeling at the moment. Having their feet on the ground and feeling the back of the chair and to take a deep breath. “Check your surroundings and tell yourself I did this. Ask yourself if you are safe right now. You are just beginning the next chapter of where you are going in your life.” She said with a smile, “Are you ready to eat some enchiladas after this?” and responded, “Yes. I am. Be present to where you are at all times.”

Second, Call. She referred to student speaker’s Joanna Johnston’s story of reaching out for assistance and an accommodation she needed. Dezbaa’ said she had similar issues, but didn’t do as well the first time she was a student because she didn’t use her voice and “played it small.” “I had the same issues. But I didn’t ask for help. I played it small. I thought I was that hyper-independent person. I got where I am by myself. I don’t need any help. Someone would ask me if I need help and I’d say, ‘I’ve got this.'” I know a lot of you have that same feeling. No one helped to get me to get where I am now. I can do this on my own. Let me tell you if that’s your mindset right now, remember your voice and use it.” She said don’t be afraid to say, “You, call someone. I need help. Speak up.” She explained that if you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to help others. “If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your child and you won’t be able to take care of your community.”

Third, Care. She asked, “If you’ve taken care of yourself and now you have your your diploma, ‘Can you assist someone?'” She responded, “Yes. Now you’re prepared.” She said taking the CPR class reminded her of how important the steps are.

“That’s become my mantra. I’m taking care of myself. I’m taking care of my kid and then I’m going to go out and take care of my community.”

She concluded rather than trying to fulfill other people’s dreams the message ought to be to fulfill your own dreams. “By you taking care of yourself and doing what makes you happy and what fulfills you that is how you can pull a community together. That’s how to show your child how to take care of themselves.”

Read more about the 2024 Commencement and graduation Fast Facts in this press release. Thanks to Doreen Gallegos for sharing some behind the scenes photos, as well as Todd Lovato.

To see more spectacular photos from Commencement visit this Facebook photo album. There were some glitches in the original Youtube broadcast. Watch the full video without interruptions. Read and download the 2025 Commencement program.

Baking students shared their specialties with SFCC community

The SFCC community was invited to the Pastry Presentation High Tea experience on May 15. People waited in line to see and sample the colorful, creative pastries. Want to know more about SFCC’s Patisserie classes? Contact Sandra.Nitschke@sfcc.edu. Thank you to Doreen Gallegos for taking these great photos. Click to enlarge.

SFCC awarded contracts for pre-apprenticeship programs for broadband infrastructure and home energy auditing

President Becky Rowley attended a press conference last week where the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) announced contracts for the Pre-apprenticeship Opportunity Programs (POP).

Read more about the good news from the New Mexico Workforce Development’s press release:

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) has awarded $750,000 in contracts to seven leading organizations to establish and deliver Pre-apprenticeship Opportunity Programs (POPs) in clean energy and infrastructure development, providing hands-on training, related instruction, mentorship, and clear pathways to Registered Apprenticeship Programs or direct employment in high-demand industries.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 2 (SAEF2) grant and administered by the NMDWS Building, Energizing, and Connecting through Apprenticeships (BECA) program, the selected contractors will implement their POPs within a year, while ensuring opportunity for all New Mexicans.

“Pre-apprenticeship has become one of our most successful initiatives, with over 700 participants coming through the program in two years,” said NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. “The BECA contracts will supercharge our partnerships with private industry and public educators to build even more pre-apprenticeship programs in the sectors our state has prioritized. We all share the goal of making sure New Mexico youth are aware of the amazing career paths they can take without leaving our beautiful state.”

NMDWS will administer and support each of these initiatives as part of the department’s broader work-based learning efforts.

Awarded Contractors and Focus Areas:

• NewSpace Nexus – Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Northern New Mexico College – Carpentry
• Associated General Contractors of New Mexico (AGC NM) – Construction
• Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. NM Chapter (ABC NM) – Construction
• Santa Fe Community College – Broadband
• Santa Fe Community College – Clean Energy
• STEM Boomerang LLC – High Performance Computing

“NewSpace Nexus is excited to launch the Pathways to the Stars Pre-Apprenticeship Program with support from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions,” said Casey Anglada DeRaad, Founder and CEO at NewSpace Nexus. “This program connects rural and underserved students to career pathways in semiconductor and solar manufacturing, industries that drive the growth of New Mexico’s space economy.”

“We’re proud to partner with NewSpace Nexus and support a program that connects New Mexico students with real, hands-on experience in space technology,” said Brad Clevenger, Vice President, Rocket Lab Space Systems. “Pathways to the Stars is helping build the skilled workforce needed to power the next generation of space systems—starting right here in New Mexico.”

“Northern New Mexico College is extremely grateful to Secretary Nair and the Department of Workforce Solutions for the opportunity to expand high-demand career opportunities to students in rural northern New Mexico,” said Northern New Mexico College President Hector Balderas. “The State’s investment in pre-apprenticeship programs is key to expanding our students’ access to meaningful career pathways, and Northern is proud to be a higher education partner working with the Department to advance economic security for our communities.”

“Santa Fe Community College is honored to receive two contracts from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to deliver pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to in-demand, well-paying careers,” said Becky Rowley, Ph.D., President, Santa Fe Community College. “These programs—focused on broadband infrastructure and home energy auditing—offer accelerated, hands-on training to meet the urgent workforce needs of New Mexico’s growing and emerging industries. Most importantly, they empower our students with the skills and certifications needed to improve their lives and contribute to the state’s future.”

“Our pre-apprenticeship program will focus on preparing participants for in-demand careers in traditional construction trades as well as emerging sectors like clean energy and broadband infrastructure,” said Kelly Roepke-Orth, CEO, Associated General Contractors NM. “By the end of 2025, we will have developed a comprehensive program ready to serve individuals annually, creating new pathways to economic opportunity and long-term career success in New Mexico’s construction sector.”

“Pre-apprenticeship programs play a vital role in strengthening New Mexico’s workforce pipeline, especially in high-demand industries like construction, manufacturing, and energy. These programs offer individuals — particularly youth, women, and underrepresented communities — a critical entry point into skilled trades by providing foundational training, exposure to industry expectations, and clear pathways into registered apprenticeships,” said Carla Kugler, President & CEO of ABC New Mexico. “Pre-apprenticeship programs are not just about preparing workers; they’re about expanding opportunity. By investing in these initiatives, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive workforce that meets the needs of our state’s growing economy.”

“As the field of high-performance computing continues to grow in our region, so does the need for an engaged and well-prepared talent pipeline,” said Monica Sandoval-Johnson, Co-Founder and CEO of STEM Boomerang. “This award allows us to provide students with the experience, employability skills, and mentorship they need to pursue high-demand STEM careers right here in New Mexico. We deeply appreciate the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions for their commitment to expanding STEM career opportunities and for partnering with community-based initiatives like ours to create lasting impact in workforce development across the state.”

Read more in this story from KRQE-TV, “Workforce Solutions expands pre-apprenticeship programs for New Mexicans”

More information about BECA is available on the NMDWS website.

Spring 2025 Nursing Pinning Ceremony recognized graduates

Congratulations to the Nursing Pinning recipients! (Click on program graphic above to see all of the names.)

SFCC celebrated the Spring semester nursing graduates with a pinning ceremony on May 16. The SFCC community joined the family and friends of the Spring nursing graduates. Nursing graduates select either family members or friends who have supported them to pin them.

The nurse pinning ceremony is a solemn ceremony, which includes the reading of the Florence Nightingale Pledge, lighting of the Lamp of Knowledge, as well as the pinning. The lamp lighting ceremony formally recognizes the students’ entry into the nursing profession as the lamp symbolizes the light that a nurse becomes to patients and as a symbol of hope and comfort to those suffering. The tradition commemorates the heroine of nursing Florence Nightingale, who was seen in the dark alleys with a lamp while caring for the injured soldiers of the Crimean War.

Thank you to Ben Lauer for these photographs. Click to enlarge.

Katie Besser Art & Writing Awards announced

Stacey Foiles received Richard Bradford Memorial Creative Writing Scholarship

Santa Fe Community College’s emerging writers and artists were recognized during the Katie Besser Art & Writing Awards celebration hosted by Meow Wolf on May 5. The awards were named for the late Katie Besser in recognition of her love of literature and creative writing. The event celebrated students’ creative expression through writing, photography and media arts. Writers representing SFCC’s diverse community read from their winning works.

The fifteenth annual winner of Santa Fe Community College Foundation’s Richard Bradford Memorial Creative Writing Scholarship was announced at the conclusion of the awards celebration. Stacey Foiles will receive the $1,000 scholarship. Named for the author of the 1968 classic Red Sky at Morning, the scholarship was initiated by author Michael McGarrity, the late arts advocate Charmay Allred and former Santa Fe City Councilwoman Rebecca Wurzburger.

These are this year’s Katie Besser Art & Writing Award winners by category:

 Image

Winner & Cover Image
Carolyn Cooper – “Aspens in Early Autumn”

Runner-Up
Lynae Witt – “Morning Dew”

 Honorable Mention
Carolyn Cooper – “Land of Enchantment”

Poetry

Winner
Stacey Foiles – “Fallen Leaf”

Runners-Up
Rachel Weber – “Watermelon Cotton Candy”
Stacey Foiles – “George at Agnew State Hospital in 1964”
Bonnie Stack – “Childhood Home”

Honorable Mentions
Rachel Weber – “The Wild West”
Camila Lucero – “Feathers in Motion”
Loki-Anthony Honey – “Gaia’s Patterns”

Fiction

Winner
Judith White – “Mystic Salvation”

Runners-Up
Tony Blankenship – “Rick the Recycled Guru”
Rodney DeHerrera – “The Bunker”

Honorable Mentions
Judith White – “Variations upon Consciousness”
Callie Elkins – “Gorgon” 

Creative Non-Fiction

Winner
Stacey Foiles – “First Date?”

 Runners-Up
Judith White – “Mama Disappearing”

Tony Blankenship – “Goodbye Sparks, Nevada, Goodbye”

Honorable Mentions
Rachel Weber – “Ohio: One Season of Life”
Judith White – “The First Time I Ever Saw This Place” 

The Katie Besser Art & Writing Awards are presented through a collaboration of SFCC’s English and Creative Writing programs, SFCC’s Media Arts department, SFCC Foundation, and with the support of Meow Wolf. The Katie Besser Art & Writing Awards are directed by Genevieve Betts.

Note: A copy of “Accolades,” which includes the winning entries, is available to download here.

Santa Fe New Mexican highlighted SFCC’s impact and future as it concluded 40th anniversary year

Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Margaret O’Hara wrote the story, “40 years in, Santa Fe Community College renews aim to graduate students,” which ran as a preview of the Commencement as well as a reflection on SFCC’s 40 years serving the community.

Among those featured in the front page story were President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., the 2025 Student Speaker Joanna Johnston (the Student Resource Coordinator in the Wellness Center) and long-time faculty member Andrew Lovato, Ph.D.

A major theme of the story, published on May 16, was the importance of student support in helping students attain their credentials and to become prepared to join the workforce to meet the community’s needs.

Respiratory Care graduates honored with pinning ceremony

The Respiratory Care program honored graduates with a pinning ceremony on May 16. The graduates include: Dominic (Tony) Donio, Josette Lucero, Amira Moore, Marissa Sánchez, Melissa Santos, and Melissa Swanson.

To learn more about the Respiratory Care program visit https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/respiratory-care/ or contact the Academic Director “Tony” José Lammoglia by email at jose.lammoglia@sfcc.edu or by phone at 505-428-1723.

Thank you to Ben Lauer for sharing these photographs of the pinning ceremony. Click to enlarge.

Program

Welcome and Introduction
Jose “Tony” Lammoglia, EdD, RRT
Program Director
Keynote Speaker
Jessica Barrera BSRT, RRT-ACCS
Former Program Director/SFCC Adjunct
Student Speaker
Tony Donio
Student and Mentor Awards
Jessica Barrera and Sarah Rodriguez, MSRRT-ACCS
Director of Clinical Education
Pinning
Jessica Barrera, Jose “Tony” Lammoglia and Sarah Rodriguez
Closing
Jose “Tony” Lammoglia

Wri-Gen Spring Series participants’ reading video available

SFCC Library and SFCC Creative Writing Department wrapped up the Wri-Gen Spring series on May 7 with an invitation to the online participants to share writing drafts that were inspired by their participation in the series. To read more about the Spring Wri-Gen series, please see this press release. The final reading by participants is in the above Youtube link. All previous sessions are also available for viewing at SFCCNM Youtube.

A big thank-you goes out to SFCC Library Director Valerie Nye and associate professor Austin (Stanley) Eichelberger who schedule and coordinate the series of readings and creative writing sessions. This semester’s featured authors were Adele Oliveira and Alfredo Celedón Luján.

SFCC Library will announce the Fall series soon. But if you’d like to get on the email list to be notified, send an email to SFCC Library Director Valerie Nye via email at valerie.nye@sfcc.edu. Otherwise, watch Campus Weekly for updates. For more information about SFCC’s Creative Writing program visit sfcc.edu/programs/creative-writing/.

TATC closed May 12-Aug 15 for HVAC renovation

The Trades and Advanced Technologies Building will be closed for the summer in order to remodel the HVAC system. When complete, this project will provide much needed fresh air to the building.

There will be no access for students, faculty, staff, or the public. For more information contact Helen Doherty, Facilities & Operations, Manager of Special Projects at helen.doherty@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1064.

SFCC Duplicating Center summer hours
M-Th 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Duplicating Center will operate on a modified summer schedule beginning immediately. Summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Duplicating Center is located on lower level of the main building room LL302. Duplicating center orders must be submitted through the Copy Request System button in MySFCC.

Please note: The center will be closed the week of May 26 for system updates. Plan ahead for your printing and copying needs.

For questions or assistance, please contact the Duplicating Center at DuplicatingCenter@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1728 during operating hours.

Register today to join Digital Access Essentials free training series offered by SFCC and Accessible New Mexico

Classes focus on improving digital access and compliance, aimed at web administrators in higher education institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses

NOTE: Even though classes started last week on May 21, you can still join the class and catch up by watching the video before the May 28 class. Send an email to Monique.Anair1@sfcc.edu.

Accessible New Mexico, LLC and Santa Fe Community College’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development are offering a free training series, Digital Access Essentials, for New Mexico residents. The program, aimed at website administrators from higher education institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses, focuses on improving digital accessibility and ensuring compliance with digital platforms. Sessions begin on May 21. Any New Mexico resident may enroll at Accessible: Digital Access Essentials for Professionals (NM WF) – SFCC Continuing Education. For more information or assistance call 505-428-1060.

With recent federal guidance and mounting legal pressures around web accessibility in education, New Mexico businesses need to ensure their digital content is inclusive and compliant with standards such as ADA Title II & III, Section 508, and WCAG 2.1 AA.

“This training was created with higher ed administrators and small businesses in mind,” said Eli Fresquez, founder of Accessible New Mexico and the series instructor. “We know the digital front door to a business, college or university is often its website, and we want to help institutions keep that door open to everyone.”

Training Series Highlights:

• May 21 Session 1: Introduction to Digital Accessibility – Understand accessibility principles and why they matter.
• May 28 Session 2: Legal & Policy Frameworks – Learn what ADA, Section 508, and upcoming DOJ regulations require.
• June 4 Session 3: Web Accessibility for Websites & Apps – Get hands-on with tools like WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse.
• June 11 Session 4: Document & Multimedia Accessibility – Ensure course content and PDFs meet compliance.
• June 18 Session 5: Accessibility for Small Teams & Budgets – Practical strategies for doing more with less.
• June 25 Session 6: Governance & Strategy – Build sustainable accessibility practices campus wide.

Each session is 30 minutes (20 minutes of instruction + 10 minutes Q&A), delivered online via Canvas, and recorded for future reference. The series runs weekly on Wednesday at noon from May 21 through June 25. The course is free, but participants need to register by May 20. Once enrolled, participants will receive an email with a link and instructions from SFCC’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development on how to access the course.

Participants will gain access to tools, checklists, and real-world case studies from higher ed institutions, including lessons learned from recent accessibility lawsuits involving Harvard, MIT, and UC Berkeley.For more information, please contact Monique Anair by email at Monique.Anair1@sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1060. To request accessibility accommodations for the course, notify Anair by May 14, 2025.

Campus Cupboard art show continues through June 6

Stop by to see the art from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Fridays through June 6 in the Campus Cupboard.

Joanna Johnston shared this report:

“We had a wonderful opening, with more than 40 attendees! We had quite a few students, faculty, and staff who told us that they had never been to the Campus Cupboard before, and they were excited to see the quality and quantity of options we keep in stock! I had more than one person comment that they wished they would have had access to something like the Campus Cupboard and Exchange when they were in college!

We also had a few folks in the community who came to see the incredible art provided by our talented student artists. We were lucky enough to get amazing submissions, in various mediums, that really represent the vision of community and nourishment. Getting the opportunity to meet a couple of the artists and their friends was so much fun! We have a lot of talent on campus. 

We are so grateful to the SFCC community for coming through and showing support for the students and the Campus Cupboard. The Campus Cupboard belongs to the SFCC community, and we want everyone in that community to feel welcome to come by for a coffee, a snack, or to pick up some groceries.”

Thank you to Ben Lauer for the photos. Click on the images to see larger. 

Check out the latest Inside SFCC

Check out the latest edition of the Inside SFCC, electronic newsletter. Read the story, “Guaranteed income program at SFCC provides positive boost for parenting students.” Learn about upcoming events and noteworthy faculty and staff accomplishments. Become an SFCC Insider by subscribing here.

SFCC announces tuition and fee increases for 2025-2026 Academic Year

The SFCC Governing Board has approved an adjustment to tuition and fees for the 2025–2026 academic year, effective immediately for the Summer 2025 semester. The college remains one of the most affordable higher education options in New Mexico while continuing to deliver high-quality instruction and student support. SFCC last adjusted its tuition rates during the 2020–2021 academic year.

SFCC’s in-district and in-state tuition will be set at $54 per credit hour for classes beginning in the Summer 2025 semester. Tuition for students residing in New Mexico but outside of SFCC’s district will be $67 per credit hour. Tuition for out-of-state students will remain $67 per credit hour for those enrolled in six or fewer credits, and $158 per credit hour for students taking seven or more credits. Senior citizen tuition will remain unchanged at $5 per credit hour.

Students who have already submitted payment for Summer or Fall 2025 may see adjustments reflected in their accounts as updates are processed by SFCC’s Cashier’s Office.

In addition, the Governing Board approved the following student fees:

• $12 per credit hour service fee
• $12 per credit hour technology fee
• $1 per credit hour Student Government Association (SGA) fee
• $0.50 per credit-hour student activities fee
• $12 per course continuing education service fee (effective Fall 2025)

SFCC was recently recognized by WalletHub as one of the Best Community Colleges in the Nation and continues to rank as one of the most affordable colleges in New Mexico. Even with the upcoming adjustment, SFCC’s in-district tuition remains the fourth lowest among all community colleges in the state, according to an SFCC comparison.

These updates help ensure the college remains financially healthy while continuing to meet the needs of students, families, and the regional workforce.

“SFCC continues to offer one of the best values in higher education,” said SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D. “This tuition and fee adjustment helps ensure that we can maintain access to top-tier instruction, expand student support services, and keep up with the evolving needs of our community and workforce.”

“SFCC and its Governing Board members take seriously the impact of tuition and fee changes on certain members of our student body,” President Rowley added.

“We encourage any student who feels they will be adversely impacted by these changes to take full advantage of our college’s robust financial aid, scholarship, and wrap-around student support services.”

Current and prospective students can reach the Office of Financial Aid via email at financialaid@sfcc.edu or by calling 505-428-1268.

For more information including a chart that reflects previous and current tuition and fees see the press release.

Register soon for the best selection of Fall classes

Fall 2025 registration is now open.

Call 505-428-1270 for help with credit enrollment or visit https://www.sfcc.edu/get-started/apply-and-register/. Fall semester classes begin on Monday, August 18.

If you have an issue with your password or accessing MySFCC, contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT) Help Desk at 505-428-1222.

Medical Assisting is now accepting applications

Medical assistants are often the first point of contact for patients and play a key role in both administrative and clinical care. Their responsibilities range from scheduling appointments and maintaining records to assisting with exams, lab tests, and minor procedures. SFCC’s accredited Medical Assistant program provides comprehensive training in clinical, lab, and administrative skills, preparing students to pass the National Certification Exam and work in various healthcare settings as competent, entry-level professionals.

Learn more at: https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/medical-assistant/

Summer registration continues

Summer Registration is open

Summer Registration began for all on Tuesday, April 8. Payment or payment arrangements are due by 5 p.m. on the first day of class for the Summer Session.

Classes begin for the full 8-week session and the first 4-week session on Monday, June 2.

For information about registration visit sfcc.edu/get-started/apply-and-register/ or call 505-428-1270. 

Free Workforce Training for New Mexico residents

SFCC’s Workforce Development Department is offering free workforce training classes to New Mexico residents. Unfortunately, due to the grant restrictions SFCC cannot offer these trainings to SFCC staff. Your friends and family members, however, are welcome to take advantage of this great opportunity.

For more information, visit https://www.sfcc.edu/economic-workforce-development/. To register use the QR code in the graphic above, call 505-428-1095 or send an email to emily.goode@sfcc.edu.

May Cultural Calendar

Let Campus Weekly share your news!
Let us know about your accomplishments and other news that you’d like to share. Please remember that the deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday to get an item in the next week’s issue. Submit here.

New Information Literacy class offered in fall

A new Information Literacy class will be offered this fall. LIBR 1111 (CRN 20636) is an online 3-credit hour class that will be offered this fall.

• Cut through the noise and get straight to reliable information! Get ready to level up your critical thinking and research game!
• In this convenient online course, you’ll learn how to fact-check news, decode media bias and understand the role of AI in information – skills that will serve you in college and beyond.

Questions? Contact sarah.hood@sfcc.edu.

Student Accomplishment: Publication of SFWP Journal for PILAS internship

SFCC student Rachel Weber has produced the 32nd issue of the SFWP Journal as part of her PILAS internship this spring. Rachel writes, “My big project for Santa Fe Writers Project is up and live! I published the Spring Journal, where I have chosen and edited 30 stories/poems for this issue. My editor’s note is at the bottom of the page, too.”

See the publication at https://www.sfwp.com/sfwp-quarterly/issue-32-/spring-2025

Happy reading!

English 1110: Composition I for Spanish speakers in Fall semester

English 1110: Composition I for Spanish speakers

This bilingual section of English 1110 supports Spanish speakers in developing skills in English composition, while simultaneously recognizing the value of their native language as a foundation for success. Permission is required to enroll.

For anyone interested, please contact professor, Joseph Klemens via email at joseph.klemens@sfcc.edu.

Inglés 1110: Composición I para hispanohablantes

Esta sección de English 1110, que se enseña de forma bilingüe, apoya a los hispanohablantes en el desarrollo de habilidades en la composición en inglés, reconociendo al mismo tiempo el valor de su lengua materna como base para el éxito. Se requiere permiso para inscribirse.

Si tiene interés en tomar este curso, por favor contacte al profesor Joseph Klemens (joseph.klemens@sfcc.edu)

Apply now for Summer and Fall Student Worker jobs

Hiring has begun for summer and fall student workers. Earn $15 an hour and work on campus 20 hours per week.

Job openings available in the following areas:

• Copy Center/Summer/Fall
• East Wing Eatery Summer/Fall
• Film Department/Summer
• Financial Aid/Summer
• Foundations/Summer
• Human Resources/Summer/Fall
• Jewelry Department/Summer
• Kids Campus/Summer/Fall
• Media Arts/Fall
• Planetarium/Medical Simulation Technician/Summer
• Registrar’s Office/Fall
• Student Recruitment/Fall

Contact Katie Cadena Priebe at katie.cadenapriebe@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1068 for more information or to apply!

Student Parent Success Program available to help parenting students anytime

Students who are juggling parenting and school are encouraged to reach out anytime to the Student Parent Success Program by calling 505-428-1036 or by sending an email to parentingstudents@sfcc.edu.

• Discuss your concerns as a parent
• Learn about resources and support as a parent
• Get help finding childcare
• Get help assessing developmental assessments for your child
• Find out about family activities and parenting classes

Students: Need childcare? Make sure you’re on the Kids Campus waitlist

When a spot comes available at the Kids Campus, students get priority placement. Kids Campus wants to support student parents and hopes that those needing childcare will get on the waitlist.

Children of degree-seeking SFCC students, SFCC employees, and full-time students at the Higher Education Center are prioritized for placement to support a two-generation philosophy of education at the college.

Visit the Kids Campus website for more information. Students receive a 10% discount on the cost of Kids Campus and N.M. Early Childhood Education and Care Development offers Child Care Assistance to income-eligible students.

SFCC celebrated Mary Eleas at her retirement party

SFCC celebrated Mary Eleas at her retirement party on May 21 at the Bio Wall. Mary shared how when she first came to SFCC about 16 and half years ago, she talked to someone at the Cashiers Office and said I like this place and I’d like to work here. She was encouraged to get academic credentials. She did get both her associate degree at SFCC and then her bachelor’s degree at New Mexico Highlands University. Through the years she worked in both the Finance department and later in Student Affairs, ultimately as Student Involvement Coordinator in the Office of Student Engagement and Recruitment. In her role, she oversaw the Student Government Association and the campus student clubs, and organized and worked at a variety of events.

Director of Student Engagement and Recruitment Marcos Maez gave her kudos for her work expanding the Campus Cupboard from a small cupboard to a three office suite that now houses refrigerated cold food items, a variety of fresh, canned and boxed food as well as supplies for infants. Mary Eleas also developed the area for The Exchange, which carries clothing for students and their young children, as well as books and toys.

It was fun sendoff, with several people joining with her to dance the Cha Cha Slide and then La Macarena!

SFCC congratulates Mary Eleas and wishes her well on her next adventure.

Thank you to Ben Lauer for taking these photos. Click to enlarge.

Above photos. Left to right. First image: Daniela Gurule, Nicky McKay, Lydia Daily and Marcos Maez. Second image: Thomasinia Ortiz-Gallegos, Mary Eleas and Bernadette Gonzales.

Congratulations to Sharon Franco on her retirement

Please join SFCC in congratulating Sharon Franco, Communications faculty, on her retirement. Sharon has taught at SFCC since the college opened in 1983. She will be missed!

A special thank you to Kate McCahill for sharing this news.

English & Creative Writing Spring Newsletter now available

The SFCC English and Communications Department’s spring newsletter highlights several exciting developments and faculty achievements. The department is launching a new Technical and Professional Writing certificate, set to debut in the 2025–26 catalog, and continues to grow its internship program with partnerships across Santa Fe’s literary and media landscape. This spring also featured the return of The Writing Generation literary series and the announcement of a bilingual section of ENGL 1110 to support Spanish-English learners. A new course on digital literacy, developed in collaboration with the library, will further enrich the curriculum. Faculty accomplishments include national conference presentations, publications in literary journals, podcast features, and upcoming art exhibitions. The department also hosted a reflective conversation on student engagement in today’s political climate, with plans to continue the dialogue into the next academic year.

Enjoy reading the full newsletter here.

Nicole Ferreira presented research at the Persianate Worlds Symposium

On April 18, academic advisor and international coordinator Nicole Ferreira presented her research at the Persianate Worlds Symposium at Bryn Mawr College. At the symposium, scholars gathered to discuss their work related to a special feature in the Journal
of the Modern Language Association, “The Persianate” (2024).

Nicole presented her paper “What Can Afghan History Tell Us about the Persianate? Lessons from the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries.” She showed how the writers of the first Afghan histories creatively engaged with the classics of Persian literature to explore
the ethical dimensions of their community’s reputedly humble social origins. They did this using the more humorous modes of Persian writing.

The respondent for Nicole’s panel had this to say about her work:

“What Nicole so fascinatingly plumbs is humor as a mode that can resist not only the aesthetic demands of Persian adab (etiquette, refinement) but also…the aesthetic judgments of what Adorno claims are the foundation of modern subjectivity. One big payoff of
Nicole’s work today is to show…(that this) turn to humor offers a third path through the attachments of subjectivity either to the universal or the particular.”

Nicole loved this opportunity to continue her academic research and meet with others in her field. She also had the chance to gain Rocky-like strength after running up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Shane Tolbert’s mural featured in ‘In the Making’ exhibition in Houston

Academic Director of the School of Art and Design Shane Tolbert has a mural featured in “In the Making” exhibition in City Centre in Houston.

Exhibition Description: “In the Making” celebrates the process and art of mark-making, highlighting the transformative journey of creation. Featuring five artists whose practices are guided by their materials, the exhibition presents works that embrace imperfections, experimentation, and the tactile traces of the artist’s hand. Through layers, gestures, and textures, each piece reveals the dialogue between material and maker, revealing the evolution of ideas and the emotions they evoke as they take form.

Location: City Centre Houston, a complex of 5 office towers – Shane Tolbert’s mural is in the lobby of tower 5.

Exhibition Dates: March through September 2025

Work Title and description: Untitled (Desert Garden), 2023, digitally printed mural, 13′ x 20′        

Images: Nicki Evans Photography

Jared Weiss exhibition continues at Iconik Lupe

Jared Weiss, Program Head of Drawing and Painting has an exhibition, “Portraits,” at Iconic Lupe, 314 S. Guadalupe, Santa Fe, presented by Curate Santa Fe (curatesanta.com). The show runs through June 10.

Pets of the Month January-March

Congratulations to the pets of the month for January through March, 2025 and their proud owners! Don’t forget to submit photos of your pet to the Duplicating Center! Learn more

CHESS Connection Newsletter – May 21, 2025

The second May 2025 issue of ‘CHESS Connection’ learn how CHESS is modernizing college registration with Workday Student, a streamlined platform that simplifies scheduling, automates waitlists, and improves the student experience. The transition moves colleges away from outdated systems and toward a more connected, student-centered approach.

This issue also celebrates CHESS Superstars for their outstanding teamwork and leadership, including SFCC’s Roxanne Tapia. Plus, new training resources, tech support tools, and opportunities for feedback are now available to help support the transition.

Read the full issue here.

Read CHESS Connection

Duplicating Center accepting photos for SFCC Pet of the Month

Send pictures of your pet to DuplicatingCenter@sfcc.edu. Each month a pet will be chosen, and notepads will be available with their picture. The proud owner will receive a 36×36 poster of their pet.

The Duplicating Center hopes to collect enough pictures to create a 2025 SFCC Pet Calendar.

Requirements:

• Must be a your own photo, no professional portraits
• Must be submitted by the last week of each month

Contact Michael at the Duplicating Center with questions.

WOW awards – nominate an outstanding coworker today!

The Office of Human Resources recognizes WOW recipients for their dedicated work and commitment to Santa Fe Community College.

Please be sure to nominate someone who you think is doing a great job here at SFCC.

The award is a $25.00 gift certificate from Amazon.
The submission form can be found at the SFCC Connect portal, Home » Online Forms/Surveys/Tests » Online Forms » Office of Human Resources or nominate by reaching out to Donna Castro at donna.castro@sfcc.edu.

New employees: We’d like to get to know you!

Staff Senate is encouraging new staff employees to come to an upcoming Staff Senate to introduce yourselves.

Campus Weekly would also love to introduce new staff and faculty members. Please send us your name, job title, when you started at SFCC, brief bio and photo (it can be a selfie!) to Submit News.

If you’re new to SFCC, we’d love to introduce you to the our community. We’re happy you’re working with us at SFCC!

Feature

Student Art Awards recognized outstanding student artwork

• News
• Students
• Employees
• Feature
• Ongoing
• SFCC in the news

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Brian Sandford of Pasatiempo gave out awards at the well-attended Student Art Show opening

SFCC celebrated at the Student Art Exhibition, coordinated by Director of Art on Campus Linda Cassel. “This is the largest turnout I can ever remember for the Student Art Exhibition. It was great to see so many people attend from the community,” Cassel said.

The winners for the Student Art Exhibition are announced during the opening. To add to this year’s excitement (Santa Fe New Mexican) Pasatiempo reporter Brian Sandford handed out the awards after Dean James (Jim) Wysong announced the winners. Art faculty select the best work from their classes to enter their pieces into the competition. It’s an honor for students to have their work included in the exhibition. The awards honor outstanding work.

2025 Student Art Award Winners
Awarded by Category

Printmaking/Book Arts
Program Head: Patricia Pearce

• First Place: Ronald Short – Everynight I Went Flying, Lithograph
• Second Place (Tie):
  • Johnanna Hamblett – Red in the Sky, Lithograph
  • Jim Coogan – Japanese Egrets, Relief Print

Fine Woodworking
Program Head: Doug Jones

• First Place: Alex Potter – Folding Lawn Chair, Wood and Metal, Fine Woodworking – Material Study
• Second Place (Tie):
  • Doug Oliver – Louis’s Dream, Woodcarving
  • Paul Von Soosten – Dovetail Chair, Wood

Jewelry
Program Head: Beth Greene
(Note: A community member generously funded the prizes in this category.)

• First Place: Keiko Murase – #25 Cicadas
• Second Place: Albert Tack – #2 Bolo Tie
• Third Place (Four-Way Tie):
  • Freya A.P.J. Ortega – #18 El Rostro de Guerra, Brooch
  • Mary Ellen McMorrow – #6 Necklace and Earring Set
  • Quinn Erickson – #6 Ring
  • Kirsten Bromberger – #9 Moon Rabbit, Hair Fastener

Ceramics
Program Head: Liz Hunt
(Sponsored by New Mexico Clay – gift certificates awarded)

• First Place: Toby Dicker – Red Dress
• Second Place (Tie):
  • Janeen Maas – Starfish
  • Judith Freedman – The Talk

Photography
Program Head: Sage Paisner

• First Place: Roger Thomasson – Cyanotype on Watercolor Paper
• Second Place (Tie):
  • Susan Ohori – Cyanotype on Cotton
  • Joan Zalenski – Mixed Media

Drawing and Painting
Program Head: Jared Weiss
(Awards presented by Shane Tolbert, Academic Director of Art and Design)

• First Place: Rene Kaup – High Road Jinx, Painting
• Second Place (Tie):
  • Vanya Wagner – Self Portrait with Love, Oil Painting
  • Catherine Albers – The Incident, Oil Painting
• Third Place: Amaury Bargione – Green Still Life, Oil on Panel

Media Arts
Program Head: Peter Taussig (Awards presented by J. David Jones)

• First Place: Aila Carr – The Lover’s and The World – Tarot Cards, Digital Illustration

Sculpture
Program Head: John Boyce

• First Place: Roberto Espinosa – Multimedia Installation, Exhibit in Ripple Effect
• Second Place (Tie):
  • Micah D’Angelico – Steel Sculpture
  • Carnell Chosa – Fiber Arts Sculpture

Thank you to Director of Art on Campus Linda Cassel for organizing this and so many spectacular exhibitions this past academic year. Prizes were sponsored in part by SFCC Foundation.

Thank you to J. David Jones for sharing these fantastic photos!

Alfredo Celedón Luján’s videos of reading and creative sessions available

SFCC’s Library and Creative Writing Department’s Spring Wri-Gen series featured its second author Alfredo Celedón Luján with a reading on April 23 and creative session on April 30.

The free online Spring 2025 Writing Generation (Wri-Gen) Series began March 19. Each author read at an introductory session. In a follow-up Zoom meeting the author engaged with the participants in a writing exercise/creative session. Read more in this press release. Also, read the bio of poet and author Alfredo Celedón Luján below.

Alfredo Celedón Luján

Bio: Alfredo Celedón Luján is a career teacher. He has an MA/English and MLitt/Creative Nonfiction from the Bread Loaf School of English. He advocates for equity in the classroom. Alfredo is former President of the National Council of Teachers of English.

He is a proud member of the Chicanx/Latinx communities. He identifies as a Chicano writer. His writing amplifies familiarity and place. He has published stories, essays, and poems in various journals and books. He believes in the written and/or digital preservation of family cuentos/stories by capturing place, textures, sounds, and colloquial language. He is Norteño. He lives in Eldorado. He is from Nambé.

Session Description: In the creative session, Alfredo will give prompts that offer insights to self-identity, heritage, place, and the preservation of family vignettes through freewriting and childhood maps.

For additional information about the series, please contact SFCC Library Director Valerie Nye via email at valerie.nye@sfcc.edu or by calling 505-428-1506. For more information about SFCC’s Creative Writing program visit sfcc.edu/programs/creative-writing/.

Multimedia exhibition by student Roberto Espinosa in Ripple Effect Gallery May 14 to August 29

Student Roberto Espinosa exhibits multimedia installation in Ripple Effect Gallery in the sculpture hall of the Arts and Design Building.

May 14-August 29, 2025

About Roberto Espinosa

Roberto Espinosa is an artist who works and studies in New Mexico. “Amusia Alexithymia” is his inaugural show. 

Artist Statement, Roberto Espinosa

I’m interested in understanding tensions in conflict and finding a liminal space between both worlds to create a new threshold.

About the “Amusia Alexithymia”:

In the film “The Exterminating Angel,” written and directed by Luis Buñuel, a group of wealthy guests are invited to a late-night private dinner party in a mansion. They soon find themselves unable to leave the dining room, trapped in their own utopian “safe space.” As chaos unfolds in a highly allegorical and surreal manner, the masses outside the window cheer at the unraveling of the elite. When asked about the meaning of his film, Luis Buñuel spoke only one sentence, “The aristocracy harbors savage instincts and unspeakable secrets.”

The desire to detach from the masses and create a VIP sacred space is not “fake news,” but our reality. The ultra-rich, survivalists, and tech-bros are attempting to escape “the event”—be it a world war, apocalypse, pandemic, or final environmental decline—by constructing bunkers, purchasing private islands, and creating off-world colonies, spending billions and billions in the process. Content creators eagerly stream and celebrate their plans, often tone-deaf (Amusia) and lacking empathy (Alexithymia) for the doomed masses they leave behind.

Safe from the masses and “the event”, the former elites, now demigods, will realize that doomsday has followed them and is streaming live to their end. “The Event” is them. They are the monsters.

The masses watch the unraveling and cheer.

Summer CE registration now open

Continuing Education’s Summer 2025 Course Catalog is now available online and in print. Visit SFCC’s Continuing Education and Contract Training web page to see the the class schedule. Printed copies are available at the college, area libraries and the Santa Fe Higher Education Center. The catalog features 51 new classes, covering everything from professional skill development to personal enrichment.

Director of Continuing Education Benjamin Lincoln said, “We’re thrilled to unveil the Summer 2025 Continuing Education Course Catalog filled with carefully curated classes to suit the community’s needs and interests. We invite lifelong learners to immerse themselves in creativity, culture and hands-on experiences. The summer offers a great opportunity to learn new skills and find joy in community connection.”

“We continue to expand our class offerings beyond the SFCC campus through our collaborations with our great community partners,” Lincoln added. “None of this would be possible without the invaluable support of SFCC’s partners, whose collaboration continues to expand our campus and enrich our offerings.”

SFCC’s community partners that host classes in engaging off-campus environments include:

• Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe & Cooking School, fostering culinary creativity through hands-on workshops
• CHOMP, Santa Fe’s dynamic gathering space for food, art, and community
• Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, whose commitment to local culture enhances the learning experience
• Nuevo Mexicana Heritage Arts Museum, dedicated to preserving and sharing the region’s artistic traditions
• New Mexico State University, bringing innovation and education together in meaningful ways.

Learn a new language

The SFCC CE Summer catalog cover features one of the CE Department’s popular Spanish language instructors, Consuelo Byrd. She and Silena Maffey-Meteer have shaped a robust Spanish language program that continues to be popular with those just learning the language and others wanting to further their skills. Other language class offerings this summer include instruction in French, Arabic and Japanese. This summer CE will offer the classes Beginning Japanese: (1 & 2) A Cultural Linguistic Journey taught by Niniam Williams.

Explore your creative spirit

This summer CE invites people to explore their creative side with many fine arts and crafts classes. New this summer is Chainmail Jewelry. In the class, participants will learn how to make chainmail jewelry and explore different patterns from the simple to the more complex. Participants will create one small piece such as a necklace or a bracelet. Instructor Nyal Tack, a dynamic young jeweler who is one of the founders of the SFCC Jewelry Collective, will lead the class. Another exciting addition is a class in clay exploration: Wheel Throwing and Raku taught by Kellogg Johnson is designed for those with prior experience working with clay and using a pottery wheel. Students will create pieces that undergo both a bisque firing and Raku firing – an ancient Japanese technique known for its dramatic and unpredictable results.

Get cooking

Chef Johnny Vee (Vollersten) is back with a selection of tasty cooking classes this summer. The popular chef and Pasatiempo writer will teach the Magic of Mole in the beautiful Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe in DeVargas Center. Students will be immersed in the cooking traditions of the Mexican town of Oaxaca and will explore its most famous dish – mole. The class will also create a complete menu of Mexican dishes including Sopa de Tortilla, Great Guacamole, Salsa Verde (two ways), Mole Negro, Mole Colaradito and green rice. All this will be topped off with the dessert, Tres Leches Cake. He’ll also teach additional classes: Chinese Take-out from Your Home, Culinary Tour of France Continued, a High-Altitude Baking Workshop and Top-Secrets for Grilling Meats.

Whether exploring the intricate art of metal weaving, shaping clay at the potter’s wheel, or learning a new language, SFCC’s CE courses provide a path to personal growth and creative exploration.

For more information and to register for classes, visit the CE office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in Room 131 at the SFCC campus, 6401 Richards Avenue, or call 505-428-1676.

About Santa Fe Community College Continuing Education Department

Santa Fe Community College’s Continuing Education Department offers a diverse range of non-credit courses designed to enrich the lives of learners of all ages. From arts and culture to language, wellness, and professional development, SFCC provides high-quality, accessible educational experiences that foster creativity, skill-building, and community engagement.

These were the first two sessions of SFCC Library and SFCC Creative Writing program’s Wri-Gen series. Read more about the free spring series open to the public in this press release.

Massage Therapy program appointments for Swedish-Therapeutic student massages available through May 13

SFCC’s Massage Therapy program offers Swedish-Therapeutic student massage appointments. Appointments are available March 17 through May 13. Potential clients can schedule an appointment by creating an account at https://sfcc.timetap.com/.

Massage clients should be free of any chronic health concerns. See additional information at the registration site. There is a $35 fee for 60-minute massages. Individuals are limited to one session per week. All appointments will be in the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center.

Massage Therapy program lead Julianna Santillanes said, “We’re excited to offer our student Massage Therapy Clinic sessions to the public. Appointments fill quickly, so I encourage people to schedule as soon as they can.”

Here are details about this semester’s clinics:

• $35 for 60-minute Swedish-Therapeutic student massage
• Monday and Tuesday appointments: 1:15, 3 and 4:45 p.m.
• Friday appointments: 9:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

SFCC’s Massage Therapy program is now in its fifth year. In addition to the program in traditional deep tissue and Swedish-Therapeutic massage, SFCC’s program expanded this year to offer a Thai Massage program. The students studying Thai Massage will be offering Thai massage clinics in June.

To learn more about SFCC’s Massage Therapy Program visit https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/massage-therapy/ or contact Massage Therapy Program Lead Julianna Santillanes at julianna.santillanes@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1293.

East Wing Eatery open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays

East Wing Eatery Spring 2025 Hours of Operation

Chef Milton Villarrubia announces, “SFCC’s East Wing Eatery is a class where students learn about day-to-day operations of a cafe. The East Wing Eatery is a culinary classroom that looks like a cafe, and student schedules and availability dictate our hours of operation. Beginning Thursday, Feb. 6, East Wing Eatery will be open on Thursday’s (only) from 9 a.m. until 12:30 pm. We will be serving specialty coffee drinks, pastries, and soups. We hope to add more savory breakfast and lunch items as time allows and we receive prepared items from culinary classes. Please come and support the SFCC Culinary Arts Program and see what we are doing at the East Wing Eatery Cafe. Thank you!”

Watch the video of ‘Travelogue: Adventures in Siem Reap, Cambodia,’ presented by R. Charlie Shultz

Click on the video above to watch Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Academic Director R. Charlie Shultz’s presentation hosted by the SFCC Library on October 29 on Zoom.

“Travelogue: Adventures in Siem Reap, Cambodia,” featuring Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Academic Director R. Charlie Shultz

Academic Director of the Santa Fe Community College’s Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) program, Charlie Shultz, recently completed a 2-week Farmer-2-Farmer volunteer assignment in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The work was funded by the NGO, USAID. The assignment included delivering an intensive hydroponics workshop for agriculture extension agents and University students. A simplified hydroponics manual was also created for high school teachers to use with students with the goal of increasing interest in agriculture and other STEM related fields. Charlie’s talk discussed his work with rural Cambodian farmers and highlighted the wonders of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.

Please click on these links for information related to his travelogue:

SFCC Foundation
SFCC-CEA
SFCC-CEA Facebook
USAID
Farmer to Farmer
CE SAIN https://www.cesain.org/
Angkor Archaeological Park
ATEC Biodigesters
Alchemy Studio

Watch Jake Skeets read and lead a creative writing session on video

The Fall Writing Generation series concluded with a reading and creative session with author/poet Jake Skeets. Watch for details for the Spring series. Enjoy this video!

Bio:  Jake Skeets (he/him) is the author of “Eyes Bottle Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers,” winner of the National Poetry Series, American Book Award, Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and Whiting Award. His work has appeared widely in journals and magazines such as Poetry, The New York Times Magazine, and The Paris Review. Other honors include an NEA Grant for Arts Projects, a Mellon Projecting All Voices Fellowship, and the 2023-2024 Grisham Writer in Residence at the University of Mississippi. He is from the Navajo Nation and teaches at the University of Oklahoma.

The series is presented by SFCC Library and the SFCC Creative Writing Program. Visit sfcc.edu/programs/creative-writing/.

All videos can be found in the YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7H67Ojgmmo&list=PL6AhJfrOrlErcvW8Iayqy72Z4IaVtJKgp

SFCC in the news

The following stories or radio shows either featured or mentioned SFCC or one of its employees. Some stories also are related to NM higher education.

• News
• Students
• Employees
• Feature
• Ongoing
• SFCC in the news

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04/28/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Santa Fe Community College plans May job fair for fiber optic careers”

04/28/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Smartboard April 28, 2025-SFCC announces increase in tuition, fees for 2025-26”

04/24/2025,,Of Interest, Searchlight New Mexico, “Accountability goes missing at The MASTERS Program”

04/19/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Smartboard, April 19, 2025-Santa Fe Community College to host cupboard art exhibition”

04/25/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, Pasatiempo, “IN OTHER WORDS-Three Books Take Readers on Different Journeys Through History” (Written by SFCC student intern)

04/14/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Smartboard, April 14, 2025-SFCC to close for spring holiday, SFCC releases summer 2025 continuing education catalog”

04/01/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “SFCC student says guaranteed income pilot program ‘was helpful in every way’ “

Santa Fe New Mexican, 03/31/2025, “Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez- Charlie Shultz speaks about SFCC’s controlled agriculture program, Community College Month” (audio only at Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gTReiKVNt0 )

04/01/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “SFCC student says guaranteed income pilot program ‘was helpful in every way'”

03/28/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Santa Fe guaranteed income study”

3/27/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “SFCC to host Apple-sponsored Creative Coding showcase”

03/24/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Registration opens for summer reading program”

03/15/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Art, furniture and more on display at first day of Home and Garden Expo”

03/09/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Smartboard March 10, 2025-SFCC opens applications for hybrid, electric vehicle class; SFCC to host Continuing Education art show; SFCC to close many services on campus for spring break”

03/09/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “New Mexican schools grapple with contradictory federal, state DEI mandates”

2/17/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, Smartboard Feb. 17, 2025-SFPS to host 11-school districtwide STEM Fair

02/17/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “AG-backed higher education oversight bill could be dead after first committee hearing”

2/10/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, Smartboard Feb. 10, 2025- SFCC offers ‘College Ready’ classes for parents, SFCC to host student’s fine arts reception

2/9/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican story, “From storage to stage: Santa Fe giving college’s old instruments, film equipment to local schools.”

02/08/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “MY VIEW JUSTIN GREENE-City and county governments should work more cooperatively“

1/31/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “FINAL FRAME-‘Cain’s Monkey’ by Julie Speed”

01/29/2025, Santa Fe Reporter, “Breaking Cyclical Chains”

1/28/2025, Santa Fe New Mexican, “Area leaders assail Trump funding halt; State DOJ says FEMA fire relief money not accessible”

1/3/2025, Tumbleweeds Magazine story, “Dual Credit at Santa Fe Community College: A program that really makes a difference.”