Western New Mexico University

06/01/2026

From unforgettable moments to inspiring people, breathtaking views, and experiences that stay with you for a lifetime.

05/29/2026

This spring, once again welcomed students from the Mescalero Apache Schools for a multi-day campus visit that connected cultural tradition with future opportunity.

Students explored academic and student spaces, connected with university ambassadors, shared a meal in the dining hall and experienced what college life can look like beyond the classroom. The visit also highlighted future pathways in education, social work and other fields while creating space for questions, discovery and connections.

This annual experience serves as a gateway to the annual mezcal harvest, a deeply meaningful Mescalero Apache tradition centered on cultural knowledge, healing, and community.

By bringing students to campus ahead of the harvest, WNMU continues to support spaces where Indigenous traditions and higher education can thrive side by side.

05/27/2026

The Spring Symposium brought together students and faculty for a two-day showcase of academic excellence, creative scholarship, and interdisciplinary research. With 93 presenters and 381 participants, the event featured in-person presentations at J. Cloyd Miller Library, highlighting work across environmental science, regional economics, education, history, and the arts in a collaborative, discussion-rich setting.

The symposium expanded its reach on day two with a virtual format, connecting online students, alumni, and community partners. With additional presentations on global health, digital marketing, and technology in the humanities, the event reinforced a commitment to accessibility and innovation.

05/26/2026

The future of education needs strong leaders.
⁠
The “Shaping the Future of Educational Leadership” conference brings together emerging educators and aspiring school administrators for a leadership experience focused on innovation, school culture and leading through change.⁠

Registration is now open at https://wnmu.event451.sites.451.io/event/wnmu.events.1678821

The first 25 selected participants will receive lodging, meals and event materials at no cost.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Their courage and service will never be forgotten.

In observance of the holiday, university offices will be closed Monday, May 26, and will reopen for regular business Tuesday, May 27.

05/22/2026

New research from Assistant Professor of History Andy Hernandez, Ph.D., is challenging long-standing narratives about the end of slavery in the United States.

Featured in the book “Unpacking Silver City: Revealing the Rich Tapestry of a Historic Town,” Dr. Hernandez’s research argues that Indigenous slavery and related systems of coerced labor persisted in Southwest New Mexico until as recently as 1977.

Drawing from archival records and oral histories, the work examines how hidden systems of exploitation shaped the development of Silver City and the broader Southwest while calling for a deeper conversation about historical truth, reconciliation and remembrance.

Read more about Dr. Hernandez’s enlightening research though the link in comments.

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

Governor Lujan-Grisham’s Commencement keynote address is now streaming on-demand through C-SPAN.

Relive this memorable message shared with the Class of 2026 and celebrate a milestone moment for the Mustang community.

Watch her full Commencement address anytime at https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/gov-michelle-lujan-grisham-western-new-mexico-university-commencement-address/678864

05/18/2026

Lights. Camera. Action. 🎬

Class of 2026, the spotlight is yours.

Graduation billboards are now up across the southwest celebrating your incredible milestone. Find your grad, share it and spread Mustang pride across your socials.

And don't forget to tag us!

05/15/2026

The newest edition of Twisted Vine has arrived.

Produced by the graduate writing program and overseen by advanced writing instructor Dr. Heather Steinmann, Twisted Vine is a student-run literary arts journal dedicated to publishing work that is experimental, heartfelt, unsettling and deeply human.

This issue explores the things we carry from the people and places that shape us, through memory, grief, family, love and moments that linger long after the page is turned. From hawks on fire escapes to mixtape-delivering squirrels, the collection moves between the surreal and the deeply personal while remaining grounded in truth.

Your weekend read can be found at https://twistedvine.wnmu.edu