Silver City, NM – Debbie Maldonado, Director of Adult Education Services for Western New Mexico University, has been elected as the president-elect for the New Mexico Adult Education Association (NMAEA).

The NMAEA board supports adult education communities throughout New Mexico. Maldonado leads the Silver City-based center, one of 26 in the state. WNMU's Adult Education Services provides free adult learning programs to residents of Grant, Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra counties.

"This is a great opportunity to connect with other adult education leaders in the state as we continue to expand services and programs that are needed in our communities," said Maldonado.

Nearly 400 communitymembers enrolled in WNMU's adult education programs in the 2013-2014 academic year. Those programs included technology courses and prep courses for the high school equivalency exam, formerly known as the G.E.D.

As president-elect, Maldonado will work with members of NMAEA, assist in coordinating conferences, and provide advocacy for adult education programs to state and federal agencies.

For more information, contact Adult Education Services at 575.574.5114.

Western New Mexico University has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and serves a student body diverse in age, culture, language and ethnic background.