AUG.
2024
THE T-BIRD
TIMES
NSEP Camp 2024
The 2024 Cohort for New Mexico Junior College S.T.E.A.M. Enrichment Program (NSEP).
NSEP recap video.
NMJC recently concluded its highly anticipated New
Mexico Junior College S.T.E.A.M. Enrichment Pro-
gram (NSEP) summer camp, sponsored by Chevron,
with an exciting theme of “Forensic Science.”
The week-long camp, held from July 15 – 19, wel-
comed 12 high school juniors and seniors from Lea
County and surrounding areas to NMJC’s campus for
an immersive educational experience.
For full story, click here.
Olympic Coverage
NMJC is sending two student-athletes to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Sprinters Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Ma-
karawu and Lacarthea Cooper represented their respective countries when the Olympic Opening Ceremonies
kicked off Friday, July 26.
Cooper will represent her home country of the Bahamas on the 4x400m relay team. The Bahamian is coming
off a 400m NJCAA individual title and team national title during the 2024 NJCAA Outdoor T&F Champion-
ships. Cooper’s competition begins with the first round of the 4x400m relay on Friday, Aug. 9 at the Stade de
France in Paris, France.
Makarawu will represent his home country of Zimbabwe in the 200m Monday, Aug. 5. Currently Makarawu is
the 10th fastest 200m runner in the world. Makarawu finished up his athletic career with the Thunderbirds as
an 11-time All-American, seven-time individual national champion, seven-time school record holder, and two-
time team national champion.
The former T-Bird will start racing in the 200m prelims on Monday, Aug. 5 at the Stade de France with the
hope of making the 200m finals on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Left: Lacarthea Cooper competes for her home country of the Bahamas.
Right: Carlie Makarawu competes for his home country of Zimbabwe.
For full story, click here.
A Day in the Life
Rodeo Students
Fall Registration 2024
Rodeo students, Kyla Kelly and Izabelle Zuhlke give us a
glimpse at a day in their lives as Thunderbirds.
Aug. 2-10: Lea County Fair and Rodeo
Aug. 16: New Student Orientation
Aug. 19: First day of Classes
Aug. 20: All Hands Meeting
Aug. 22 - 24: Hobbs August Nites
Sep. 25: Cosmetology Legacy 30
Sep. 26: Dia De Los Muertos Hair Show
Oct. 4 - 5: NMJC Welcome Weekend
Dates to Remember
tbirdtimes@nmjc.edu
Reach us @:
Save the Date:
Ford ST-ST
Exciting news for automotive profession-
als! The Automotive/Ford ASSET depart-
ment at NMJC has been designated as the
exclusive Ford dealership training center
in New Mexico for Ford Service Technician
Specialty Training (STST). This prestigious
distinction places NMJC among an elite
group of institutions nationwide, as one
of only four colleges in the United States
offering this specialized training.
For full story, click here.
Professor/Director of Automotive Technology Kelley Williams, works
with students in the Ford Service Technician Specialty Training.
Scott Van Pelt, along with Arthur Levine, is co-author
of “The Great Upheaval: Higher Education’s Past,
Present, and Uncertain Future.” Drawing on the trends
explored in the book, Scott has presented on the
factors shaping the future of higher education to
state education systems, faculty associations, and
numerous institutions and organizations across North
America.
Over the past ten years, Scott has held a diversity
of roles across higher education, including in areas
such as academic advising, admissions, instructional
technology, and curriculum design. Currently, Scott
is the Director of Research and Faculty Affairs at
the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of
Education. In this role, Scott designs programs and
initiatives to support faculty success at Penn GSE.
Scott is also an experienced educator and facilitator,
and has taught courses, workshops, and other
learning engagements for organizations such as the
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania,
Penn GSE, and the Fulbright Scholars Program.
Author, Scott Van Pelt
Higher Learning Commission
NMJC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accreditors in the
United States. Accreditation is vital to what we do. It serves as a measure of quality, allows NMJC to
acesss and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions and
more. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation. HLC determines an institution’s accreditation based on its
four Criteria for Accreditation.
In future issues of the T-Bird Times more information will be shared about HLC Accreditation and
NMJC’s preparation plans for the next comprehensive evaluation. If you have any questions about
NMJC’s accreditation or the HLC please contact the NMJC accreditation team.
For more info and reaching the accreditation team, click here.
PRESIDENT & BOARD
UPDATE
NOW HIRING
HUMAN
RESOURCES
Administrative Assistant II - Athletics
Adult Education Coordinator
General Maintenance Worker
Groundskeeper
Institutional Research Coordinator/Analyst
Learning Technology Design & Training
Administrator
Mechanical/Plumbing/HVAC/Technician
Part-Time Adult Education Entrepreneurial
Instructor PM
Part-Time Adult Education Math-
Instructor AM
Part-Time Adult Education Math-
Instructor PM
Part-Time Help Desk Assistant
Part-Time OfÏce Assistant-Workforce
Development
Professor of Welding
Programmer Analyst
SBDC - Business Advisor
Success Center Tutoring Specialist
July 10 - The New Horizons Foundation held monthly meeting.
July 15 - New Mexico Junior College President Derek Moore, Ed.D, participated in a video production with
Nor-Lea Hospital District in reference to their journey towards performance excellence.
July 15 - The NMJC Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee met.
July 18 - Dr. Larchinee Turner facilitated a planning session on July 16th, for NMJC members who will be
attending the Alliance for Innovation and Transformation 2024 Summer Institute.
July 18 - The NMJC Board held monthly meeting.
July 19 - Moore met with consultants from “Achieving the Dream” to discuss NMJC’s status on
recommended strategies from last year’s Opportunity Assessment.
New Mexico Junior College and Lea County are in discussions about a potential purchase of the old
Covenant hospital property. Discussions are still in the early phase, and nothing has yet been decided;
however, NMJC is optimistic about the potential of acquiring the property in the near future.
Lea County & NMJC discuss potential purchase
of old hospital.